Walker says meet me in St. Louis

Across his 17-year career, Larry Walker was known as one of the most complete players in baseball. Even in the back half of his career, he showed himself to be a five-tool talent.

On Aug. 6, 2004, Walker’s 10-year tenure with the Colorado Rockies ended when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals received Walker and cash considerations in exchange for minor league pitcher Jason Burch along with Chris Narveson and Luis Martínez.

Walker joined a star-studded lineup of Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen in St. Louis. The team had the best record in the major leagues — winning its 71st game on Aug. 6 against the New York Mets.

“It’s a good thing I am going to a team that is 31 games over .500,” Walker told the Associated Press. “It is tough not to be happy about that. They are going to the playoffs and have a chance to win the World Series.”

Prior to the trade, Walker’s only postseason appearance was in 1995 when the Rockies were eliminated in the NLDS. After declining a trade to the Arizona Diamondbacks and blocking trades to the Texas Rangers and Florida Marlins, No. 33 cleared waivers and agreed not to block this deal with his 10-and-5 no-trade status.

“This is a great opportunity for him to go to a great baseball city and have a chance to win a world championship,” said Colorado general manager Dan O’Dowd. “We tried very hard to put him in a city where he can accomplish his dream of winning a World Series championship.”

Walker’s Cardinals debut was against the Mets on Aug. 7, 2004, in front of 45,364 fans at Busch Stadium. He received a warm welcome with a standing ovation in a 2-1 win.

In the remainder of the Cardinals’ season, Walker hit 11 home runs and had 27 RBI. He then set a franchise record for most home runs by a left-handed hitter (six) in one postseason. The Cardinals faced the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 World Series where Walker hit .357 with two doubles, two home runs and three RBI – however, the Cardinals fell to the Red Sox in four games.

Walker retired at the end of the 2005 season, but the Cardinals honored Walker’s impact after winning the 2006 Fall Classic by giving him a ring. The Canada native began his career with the Montreal Expos in 1989 before taking off with the Rockies and wrapping up his time in baseball after two seasons with the Cardinals.

Walker played in 1,988 games, hit 383 home runs and was selected to five All-Star Games. He was a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner, a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner and the 1997 National League MVP.

Walker was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.

Emma Harby was the 2024 public relations intern in the Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Leadership Development