Left-on-Left Walker is among the game's elite

Larry Walker (Maple Ridge, B.C.) is in his ninth year on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.

By Tracy Ringolsby

Inside the Seams

The completeness of Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker as a player is underscored by the success he had as a left-handed hitter facing left-handed pitchers.

Among left-handed hitters against left-handed pitchers since 1974, which is where the Stats, Inc., data base begins, Walker is one of only five left-handed hitters with 1,000 or more at-bats against left-handed pitchers to hit .300 against lefties. The three ahead of him are future Hall of Fame Ichiro Suzuki, and current Hall of Famers Tony Gwynn and Rod Carew.

And from a bigger picture, view, his .903 OPS against left-handed pitchers is second to only Barry Bonds.

For more statistics on where Walker ranks among left-handed hitters batting against left-handed pitchers, follow this link.