Jerry_Manuel
02-05-2002, 06:21 PM
CHICAGO -- Former Chicago White Sox first baseman Greg Walker has been hired as the hitting coach of the organization's Class AAA affiliate Charlotte Knights of the International League. The announcement was made this afternoon by Bob Fontaine, White Sox director of player development.
"We are thrilled to have a former big-league hitter of Greg's reputation and character assist our young players in their development," said Fontaine. "It was extremely important to us that he is a former White Sox star player who understands the direction in which the organization is heading and what we are trying to accomplish. He will be a perfect fit in Charlotte."
Walker, 42, spent his nine-year major-league career with the White Sox (1982-90) and Baltimore (1990), batting .260 (746-2,864) with 113 home runs and 444 RBI. He ranks ninth on the White Sox all-time list in slugging percentage (.453) and home runs. The left-handed hitting first baseman suffered a life-threatening seizure during batting practice on July 30, 1988. Since his retirement in 1990, Walker has worked in private business and also assisted the White Sox with Fantasy Camps and the Instructional League in 2000.
"The White Sox organization has always been like family," said Walker. "I'm really excited to be presented with this opportunity and look forward to helping hitters understand what it takes to reach and succeed in the major leagues."
Walker hit 20-plus home runs in a season three times with the White Sox and twice drove in more than 90 runs. He appeared in 118 games as a rookie in 1983, batting .270 with 10 home runs and 55 RBI for the American League West division champions. Walker hit a career-high .294 with 24 home runs and 75 RBI in 1984 and followed with 24 homers and 92 RBI in 1985. He established career highs of 27 home runs and 94 RBI in 1987.
Originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1977, Walker was left unprotected and later signed by the White Sox in the December 1979 minor league draft. He led the White Sox Class AA Glen Falls affiliate to the Eastern League championship in 1981, while leading the league in hits (163), runs (117), total bases (266) and doubles (33).
"We are thrilled to have a former big-league hitter of Greg's reputation and character assist our young players in their development," said Fontaine. "It was extremely important to us that he is a former White Sox star player who understands the direction in which the organization is heading and what we are trying to accomplish. He will be a perfect fit in Charlotte."
Walker, 42, spent his nine-year major-league career with the White Sox (1982-90) and Baltimore (1990), batting .260 (746-2,864) with 113 home runs and 444 RBI. He ranks ninth on the White Sox all-time list in slugging percentage (.453) and home runs. The left-handed hitting first baseman suffered a life-threatening seizure during batting practice on July 30, 1988. Since his retirement in 1990, Walker has worked in private business and also assisted the White Sox with Fantasy Camps and the Instructional League in 2000.
"The White Sox organization has always been like family," said Walker. "I'm really excited to be presented with this opportunity and look forward to helping hitters understand what it takes to reach and succeed in the major leagues."
Walker hit 20-plus home runs in a season three times with the White Sox and twice drove in more than 90 runs. He appeared in 118 games as a rookie in 1983, batting .270 with 10 home runs and 55 RBI for the American League West division champions. Walker hit a career-high .294 with 24 home runs and 75 RBI in 1984 and followed with 24 homers and 92 RBI in 1985. He established career highs of 27 home runs and 94 RBI in 1987.
Originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1977, Walker was left unprotected and later signed by the White Sox in the December 1979 minor league draft. He led the White Sox Class AA Glen Falls affiliate to the Eastern League championship in 1981, while leading the league in hits (163), runs (117), total bases (266) and doubles (33).