SoxxoS
05-04-2003, 01:17 PM
From the Daily Southtown-
While the White Sox have struggled to score runs this season, their Charlotte farm club has thrived thus far under batting instructor Greg Walker.
Through Friday night, the Triple-A team ranked second in batting average and home runs in the International League.
"We heard a lot of good things about Greg the last two seasons," said Sox bench coach Joe Nossek, who's known Walker since the latter was a first baseman for the South Siders from 1982-90. "He's a quality person and a smart guy. His time (to manage in the majors) will come one day."
Willie Harris credited Walker for his turnaround this season.
"Boy, that guy can get you on track, I tell you ," said Harris, who hit .420 in 23 games before his promotion last Thursday. "We worked every day, not just in the cage but in the game. Greg can get on your butt, even when you're at bat. He helps you with whatever you need."
Harris was impressed with Walker's communication skills in particular.
"Greg is a coach, but it's almost like he's a player, too," Harris said. "He lets you know that he's with you regardless. He cheers just like a player."
Outfielders Joe Borchard (.282, 2 HRs, 15 RBI in 18 games) and Cliff Brumbaugh (.377, 5, 14, 22 games) and second baseman Aaron Miles (.324, 3, 8, 17 games) have also made strides under Walker in the early going this season.
When you say "one day" do you mean, like, tomorrow? I'll bet all the tea in China that Ward is gone by the end of the week. Possibly tomorrow if we suck it up on national TV. This guy Walker is the only logical replacement.
I'm also not thrilled with Borchard only having 2 HR's in 18 games, but we'll attribute that to the wrist tendinitis he was suffering from.
While the White Sox have struggled to score runs this season, their Charlotte farm club has thrived thus far under batting instructor Greg Walker.
Through Friday night, the Triple-A team ranked second in batting average and home runs in the International League.
"We heard a lot of good things about Greg the last two seasons," said Sox bench coach Joe Nossek, who's known Walker since the latter was a first baseman for the South Siders from 1982-90. "He's a quality person and a smart guy. His time (to manage in the majors) will come one day."
Willie Harris credited Walker for his turnaround this season.
"Boy, that guy can get you on track, I tell you ," said Harris, who hit .420 in 23 games before his promotion last Thursday. "We worked every day, not just in the cage but in the game. Greg can get on your butt, even when you're at bat. He helps you with whatever you need."
Harris was impressed with Walker's communication skills in particular.
"Greg is a coach, but it's almost like he's a player, too," Harris said. "He lets you know that he's with you regardless. He cheers just like a player."
Outfielders Joe Borchard (.282, 2 HRs, 15 RBI in 18 games) and Cliff Brumbaugh (.377, 5, 14, 22 games) and second baseman Aaron Miles (.324, 3, 8, 17 games) have also made strides under Walker in the early going this season.
When you say "one day" do you mean, like, tomorrow? I'll bet all the tea in China that Ward is gone by the end of the week. Possibly tomorrow if we suck it up on national TV. This guy Walker is the only logical replacement.
I'm also not thrilled with Borchard only having 2 HR's in 18 games, but we'll attribute that to the wrist tendinitis he was suffering from.