Walker on ESPN RADIO (Carmen and Silvey)

[MustangMike]

Good interview with Carmen/Silvey...Walker seems like a straight shooter and a nice guy. They played the "gay horn" for Walker and it scared him...if you don't know what that is don't worry about it, its not important. Main points were:

 

 

1) wants to hit second

-- says you "can't steal first".

-- Baker wants him to hit 2nd but wants him to protect ramirez

-- todd said he would prefer to use his OBP in front of Lee, it only makes sense to him.

-- doesn't like bouncing back and forth, batting in the 1st inning everygame and then batting lowering in the lineup "can be hard on your mindset"

--when moving from 6th back to 2nd, players tend to try to step it up TOO much (maybe a corey reference)

 

2) wants to play against lefties

--only doesn't play against lefties because that's hairstons only chance to play

doesn't love pinch hitting because its a "different mindset" and hard to bounce back and forth

 

3) don't trade for a sake of trade

--they mentioned Kotsay, but he said then Corey would have to sit which woudl be a bad idea in his mind. Didn't talk about putting him in LF(Kotsay). Mentiond Sheffield, but said you don't want an angry player.

 

4) doesn't know if Nomar can even be effective even if he does come back

--seemed like he didn't think like Nomar would be making it back

--if he does make it back, it "takes much longer than I expected to get into MLB shape"

 

Not much new information really, but it was interesting to hear why he's hitting 6th and that he understand but doesn't like it. Anyway, thats it for now.

 

[ManEatingTarp]

Everytime I hear him on the radio he sounds like he signed with the Cubs with certian agreements on what his role would be, and he hasn't been happy with how things have worked out. He is very much a straight shooter, but he sounds like he's biting his tongue a lot during interviews.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Everytime I hear him on the radio he sounds like he signed with the Cubs with certian agreements on what his role would be, and he hasn't been happy with how things have worked out. He is very much a straight shooter, but he sounds like he's biting his tongue a lot during interviews.

I was thinking the same thing during parts of that interview, especially the part about him sitting down vs lefties. I kept thinking that he was going to say something that might get him in trouble in the clubhouse.

[TripJ]

I agree. Actually, I kinda wish Todd would just shut up and play ball. Last year it seemed like he was always on every single radio show talking about Stone and Baker, and him and Grudz, and what have you.

[Shawon12]

I agree. Actually, I kinda wish Todd would just shut up and play ball. Last year it seemed like he was always on every single radio show talking about Stone and Baker, and him and Grudz, and what have you.

 

Agree, I like the way he plays, but I usually don't like what he has to say. I don't think he knows how to keep his mouth shut.

[JC]

I get the distinct feeling that Walker does not agree with many of Dusty's philosophies. I think Walker likes him as a player's manager, but I don't think he often sees eye-to-eye with him, going back to comments he made last year.

 

At this point, on the days there is a lefty on the mound, Corey should get spelled by Hairston rather than Walker.

[BigbadB]

Since Walker understands the importance of OBP at the top of the order moreso than Dusty, let me be the first to suggest Hendry fire Dusty and turn Walker into a player/manager. :P

[rocket]

Walker actually did sign this year knowing what his role would be...full-time second-baseman. If he's not playing against lefties, then he isn't the full-time second-baseman.

 

Everything Walker says is right.

[dalgreen]

Did Walker say anything that we already didn't know or think he wouldn't say? His batting 2nd wouldn't be an issue if we had a productive everyday LF. Not guys who are hot for one month then cold the next.

[dalgreen]

Since Walker understands the importance of OBP at the top of the order moreso than Dusty, let me be the first to suggest Hendry fire Dusty and turn Walker into a player/manager. :P

 

I know what you're saying, but I just wish more people would start saying how important OBP is up and down the entire lineup vs. just placing focus on the 1-2 hitters.

[Coach C]

Of course, what really hurt Walker was the injury that he suffered and had to be MIA for awhile.

 

But I agree, he should be the full time 2nd baseman, with an occasional day-off, and he should be batting 2nd.

[MustangMike]

Everytime I hear him on the radio he sounds like he signed with the Cubs with certian agreements on what his role would be, and he hasn't been happy with how things have worked out. He is very much a straight shooter, but he sounds like he's biting his tongue a lot during interviews.

 

He did sign this year on his own terms, although he mentioned "being a starter" as being the condition. He is the starter, its just worked out he's sat a lot more. If they would just let Hairston play CF or left then he can get the at bats and Todd can play as well. All cub players are biting their tounges, which is fine after all the bellyaching last year. He was honest and respectful, that all you have to do.

[MustangMike]

Of course, what really hurt Walker was the injury that he suffered and had to be MIA for awhile.

 

But I agree, he should be the full time 2nd baseman, with an occasional day-off, and he should be batting 2nd.

 

Why is it more important for Walker to "protect" Ramirez then to be on base for Lee to drive him in and therefore the cubs to score runs?

[LuckyPup]

Of course, what really hurt Walker was the injury that he suffered and had to be MIA for awhile.

 

But I agree, he should be the full time 2nd baseman, with an occasional day-off, and he should be batting 2nd.

 

Why is it more important for Walker to "protect" Ramirez then to be on base for Lee to drive him in and therefore the cubs to score runs?

"Welcome to Bakerology 101-Please have a seat where you like"

1st year students have to sit in the back......that means you ronny.....

[MustangMike]

Of course, what really hurt Walker was the injury that he suffered and had to be MIA for awhile.

 

But I agree, he should be the full time 2nd baseman, with an occasional day-off, and he should be batting 2nd.

 

Why is it more important for Walker to "protect" Ramirez then to be on base for Lee to drive him in and therefore the cubs to score runs?

"Welcome to Bakerology 101-Please have a seat where you like"

1st year students have to sit in the back......that means you ronny.....

 

I know people don't agree, but Walker seemed to buy into the logic of protecting Ramirez....thats the part I don't get. Maybe he was just being a good little boy and not starting problems with the move. I wonder if Hendry can make Baker play someone like Ronny or Jason Dubois?

[10man]

If Dusty wants Walker to hit 2nd and "protect" Ramirez, then maybe ARam should be leading off? :wink: