His return to Pittsburgh did not turn out the way he would have hoped, as it was a nightmarish series for Neil Walker. He found himself struggling in the field, where he had been solid all season.
On a season where he had committed just one error prior to touching down in Pittsburgh, he committed three during the series, two of which came in Wednesday’s 6-5 win. During the series, he went 3-for-11 at the plate with two walks. Manager, Terry Collins stated that the hometown hero can not wait to get out of his former city.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been around a player who can’t wait to get out of a town as bad as he can’t wait to get out of here,” Collins said. “What he had to go through the last three days is a tribute to the kind of guy he is, too. He didn’t miss an autograph. He didn’t miss a media session. He didn’t miss any ceremonies. He shook hands. He waved. He deserves a good night’s rest.” (ESPN)
Going back to Pittsburgh was surely draining emotionally and physically for Walker. Credit to the Pittsburgh fans who gave him a hero’s welcome when he stepped up to the plate for the first time in each game of the series.
With the distraction of returning home behind him, Walker can now get back to focusing on baseball. He has been having a career year thus far, batting to a slash of .279/.350./.493 while hammering 13 homers to go along with 25 RBI.
