Walker Combined Speed, Power That Even HOFers Struggle to Match
In Larry Walker’s career he didn’t merely hit 383 home runs. But he also stole 230 bases. He succeeded on 75.2 percent of his stolen base opportunities. Oh, and he had a .567 slugging percentage.
Impressed?
Well, Among Hall of Famers with 300 or more home runs, only three stole more than the 230 bases of Walker — Willie Mays (338), Andre Dawson (314) and Hank Aaron (240). Walker’s 75.2 success ratio on stolen bases ranks behind only Aaron (76.7) and Mays (76.6). Oh, and his .565 slugging percenrage is higher than any of the Hall of Famers in the elite gorup.
It underscores how complete a player Walker was — speed and power. And he was an intelligent base runner.
Just a few more numbers that add up to why Walker should be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Player | Season | SB | PCT | HR | Slug Pct. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Willie Mays | 1951-1973(22) | 338 | 76.6 | 660 | .557 |
Andre Dawson | 1976-1996(21) | 314 | 74.2 | 438 | .482 |
Hank Aaron | 1954-1976(23) | 240 | 76.7 | 755 | .555 |
Larry Walker | 1989-2005 (18) | 230 | 75.2 | 383 | .565 |
Reggie Jackson | 1967-1987(21) | 228 | 66.5 | 563 | .490 |
Dave Winfield | 1973-1995(22) | 223 | 69.9 | 465 | .475 |
Frank Robinson | 1956-1976(21) | 204 | 72.6 | 586 | .537 |
Jeff Bagwell | 1991-2005(15) | 202 | 72.1 | 449 | .540 |
George Brett | 1973-1993(21) | 201 | 67.4 | 317 | .487 |
Ken Griffey Jr. | 1989-2010(22) | 184 | 72.7 | 630 | .538 |
Vladimir Guerrero | 1996-2011(16) | 181 | 65.8 | 449 | .553 |