R.I.P. Tom Walker, former Montreal Expos pitcher

Former Montreal Expos pitcher Tom Walker has passed away at the age of 74. Photo: Topps

October 23, 2023

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Tom Walker, a pitcher for the Expos from 1972-74 and again in 1977, has passed away. He was 74.

Walker was obtained by the Expos in the Rule V draft from Baltimore on Nov. 29, 1971 and Walker figures his acquisition was based in part on his magnificent performance in double-A with Dallas-Fort Worth on Aug. 4 when he threw a 15-inning no-hitter.

Walker made his MLB debut with Montreal on April 23, 1972, pitching a scoreless inning against St. Louis. He appeared in 46 games in 1972, all in relief, going 2-2 with a neat 2.89 ERA.

That off-season in winter league ball, he played in Puerto Rico and his manager was Pittsburgh Pirates great Roberto Clemente. Walker offered to fly with Clemente on a small plane delivering goods to earthquake victims in Nicaragua on Dec. 31, 1972.

Clemente told Walker on the runway to stay behind. Some time later, Clemente's plane crashed and he died.

"He saved my life by not letting me on the plane,'' Walker told reporters later.

In 1973, Walker's 54 appearances with Montreal were all in relief. He was 7-5 with a 3.63 ERA.

In 1974, the Expos made him a spot starter eight times and his remaining 25 appearances came out of the bullpen. He was 4-5 with a 3.83 ERA but he also spent time in triple-A Memphis where he was 5-0 with a 1.38 ERA.

"Sorry to hear about Tom,'' said his 1974 teammate Dennis Blair, who was thankful Walker came in to save the game in his MLB debut on May 26. "I had a lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and walked the first two batters. I was too cautious. Tom came in and shut the Phillies down and didn't give up any runs. He obviously contributed to my first major-league win.''

Walker was traded along with Terry Humphrey to Detroit for Woodie Fryman on Dec. 3, 1974. Walker came back to the Expos in 1977 and he went 1-1 in 11 games with a 4.74 ERA.

Walker was married to Carole Lang, the sister of his minor-league teammate Chip Lang, who pitched in a few games for the Expos in 1975-76. Walker's son Neil played in the majors for the Pirates, Mets, Brewers, Yankees, Marlins and Phillies.