Jamie Walker

James Ross Walker (born July 1, 1971) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, and Baltimore Orioles.

Biography

Walker graduated from Warren County Senior High in McMinnville, Tennessee in 1989. He attended Austin Peay State University between 1990 and 1992 and ranks fifth all-time in school history with 17 wins and first with three career shutouts. Walker was drafted in the 10th round (265th overall) of the 1992 MLB draft by the Houston Astros.

Walker crossed the picket lines and participated in spring training during the 1994 Major League Baseball strike as a replacement player. As a result, he was barred membership to the Major League Baseball Players Association. This prevented Walker from being listed among Tigers players on their 2006 ALCS championship merchandise. Walker has been clear and candid about his role as a replacement player with his major league teammates. However, Aldred's record would only hold for one more season, as Trever Miller of the Houston Astros set the new mark by making 76 appearances without a decision in 2007.

Honors and awards Walker was named Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year in 1992. He was inducted into the Austin Peay State University Athletics Hall of Fame on February 8, 2003, and into the Warren County, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame on December 19, 2006.

Personal life Walker is married (wife Natalie) and has three sons (Ross, born 1995, James Leyland, born 2007, and Isaac, born 2009). Although the name is the same, he is not named after Walker's former manager in Detroit. He also has two daughters (Harlee, born 1999; Hannah, born 2004). The family resides on their property in Overland Park, Kansas. They have a second home in Smith Center.