Goldeyes' Ace Returns for a Fourth Season
Published on January 12, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
WINNIPEG - Winnipeg Goldeyes manager Rick Forney announced today the signing of righthanded starting pitcher Ace Walker for the 2011 American Association season.
Walker, 27, was 7-6 with a 4.85 ERA in 22 starts for the Goldeyes last season, but his 2010 campaign is best remembered for him taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning during Winnipeg's final home game of the season on Aug. 29 against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. It ended up being a one-hitter for Walker and a 3-0 win for the Goldeyes. He also tied a Goldeyes team record by striking out six consecutive Fargo batters that Sunday afternoon.
"He's a durable starter that has logged a lot of innings for us over the last three years," Forney said. "He seems to be settling into the league and really understands what his role is. The best thing about Ace Walker, good or bad, is that he's going to go out there and get you 18 outs. When you need him to come up big because your bullpen is a little short that day, he'll go out there and give you everything he has."
Walker, from Sparks, Okla., has played the last three seasons with Winnipeg and was named the Northern League's Pitcher of the Year in 2009 after posting a 12-6 record and 3.32 ERA in 22 games.
The Goldeyes record book shows Walker holding several all-time team records, including innings pitched (411.3), games started (65) and complete games (10). He is poised to take over the all-time wins record in 2011. He needs nine wins to pass Rafael Gross for the most all-time. Gross has 36, followed by Forney's 33 victories. Walker also holds single-season records for complete games (6 - 2009), games started (22 - 2010) and innings pitched (149.0 - 2009).
"He's a high character guy, not just the success he brings as a player," Forney said. "You don't keep people around that long if they are not a good person and Ace is as good as they come."
The Goldeyes now have seven players under contract for the 2011 season, including three pitchers and four position players.
Season tickets and nine-game mini packs for the 2011 season are available by calling the Goldeyes office at 982-BASE (2273) or visiting www.goldeyes.com.
American Association Stories from January 12, 2011
- Get Your 2011 Captains Season Tickets - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Saltdogs Trade Nunez for Short - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Goldeyes' Ace Returns for a Fourth Season - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RailCats Agree to Terms with Reliever Will Krout - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- California, Here We Come - Amarillo ThunderHeads
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