Former MLB Pitcher: Tom Walker (1972-1977) & How He Nearly Missed Being Aboard Roberto Clemente's Plane Crash
Robert Thomas Walker was born November 7th 1948 in Tampa, Florida. The six foot one right handed pitcher attended Eastern Florida State College getting drafted in the first round (9th overall) of the 1968 amateur draft by the Baltimore Orioles. In 1971 Rule 5 draft, he was drafted away by the Montreal Expos. On August 4th, 1971 he pitched one of the best minor league games ever, throwing a 15 inning no hitter striking out 11, as his Dallas Fort Worth Spurs, beat the Albuquerque Dodgers. His manager that day was Cal Ripken Sr. There was only one longer minor league no hitter, it lasted 17 innings in 1909. Walker debuted in April 1972 with Montreal Expos. He would spend three seasons with the Expos, mostly as a relief pitcher, making just 8 starts in 1974. His best season came in 1973 when he went 7-5 with four saves posting a 3.63 ERA, striking out 68 batters walking 42 in 91 innings. After that season he was thought to possibly replace Mike Marshall in the closers role as h