Born:  Newhall, Calif., 11/26/1956

B-R, T-R...  6'3", 195 lbs

 

Another in the string of rookie pitchers that served the Phillies in this incredible year was Bob Walk.  Beginning the year in the Phillies' Triple-A club in Oklahoma City, Walk found himself in a much different situation on October 14: starting game 1 of the World Series. Although he was touched for 6 runs in his seven-plus innings of work, he was credited for the victory as the Phillies outscored Kansas City 7-6.

1980 Statistics

 

Games

 W

 L

Ks

ERA

1980

     27

12

7

94

4.56

LCS

        0

  0

0

  0

0.00

WS

        1

  1

0

  3

7.71

Lifetime Statistics

Year

Team

IP

W

  L

  S

   K

ERA

1980

Phillies

 151.2

 11

   7

    0

     94

4.57

1981

Braves

   43.1

   1

   4

    0

     16

4.57

1982

Braves

 164.1

 11

    9

    0

    84

4.87

1983

Braves

      3.2

    0

   0

    0

       4

7.36

1984

Pirates

    10.1

   1

   1

    0

    10

2.61

1985

Pirates

    58.2

   2

    3

    0

    40

3.68

1986

Pirates

 141.2

   7

    8

    2

    78

3.75

1987

Pirates

 117.0

   8

    2

    0

     78

3.31

1988

Pirates

 212.2

  12

  10

    0

    81

2.71

1989

Pirates

 196.0

 13

  10

    0

     83

4.41

1990

Pirates

 129.2

   7

   5

    1

     73

3.75

1991

Pirates

 115.0

    9

    2

    0

     67

3.60

1992

Pirates

 135.0

  10

    6

    2

    60

3.20

1993

Pirates

 187.0

  13

  14

    0

    80

5.68

TOTALS

 

1666

105

  81

    5

  848

4.03

Phillies Publications

From The Phillies 1980 Media Guide:

 

How Obtained:  Phillies No. 3 Draft in June 1976 secondary phase draft; signed by Spider Jorgenson.

 

Four-year pro...  All-Star pitcher in Eastern League...  Led all pitchers in ERA and strikeouts...  Was runner-up for ERA title in Carolina League in 1978...  One of several impressive pitching prospects in the Phillies system...  1974 Hart High grad...  Attended College of the Canyons, a junior college in Valencia, Calif....  Played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball...  Drafted by Phillies on fifth round in Jan. 1976 but didn't sign...  Phils drafted him again that June and signed him.

 

Reading manager Jim Snyder:  "Most improved pitcher on staff.  Has command of all his pitches.  Must stay down with his fast ball and he has a good one."

From The Phillies 1981 Media Guide:

 

1980 Season:  Began the year at Oklahoma City where he was 5-1 before his recall by the Phillies in late May...  Made his major league debut on 5/26 vs. Pitt. in a ND...  Won his first major league game on 6/6 vs. Chi. @ Vet and won six straight to make his record 6-0 on 7/16...  Struggled with control most of season but had good fastball and slider...  Won big late season game over Chi. on 10/2 at Vet to put Phils in first place tie with Expos for weekend showdown in Mtl....  Was 3-0 in June and 4-1 in July...  Struck out career high seven in win over NY on 6/29.

 

1980 Post-Season:  Did not pitch in LCS but was surprise starter in Game #1 of the World Series and was the winner despite giving up three HR; started shaky but settled down in middle innings to allow Phils to overcome early 4-0 KC lead.

 

Career:  Was runner-up for ERA title in Carolina League in 1978...  All-Star pitcher in Eastern League in 1979 leading all pitchers in ERA and strikeouts...  Originally was drafted by the Phillies in fifth round of January, 1976 but did not sign.

 

Personal/Misc:  Was nicknamed "Whirlybird" by his teammates after coming to the Phillies because of his penchant to forget things (glove, bat, etc.)...  Was very popular among veteran players because of his fierce competitive nature...  1974 Hart High School grad...  Attended College of the Canyons, a junior college in Valencia, Calif....  Played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball.

From The 1980 Phillies Yearbook:

  • Favorite Color:  Red
  • Favorite Singer/Group:  John Denver
  • Favorite Song:  Country Roads
  • Favorite City:  Flagstaff, Ariz.
  • Least Favorite City:  Buffalo
  • Person You'd Most Like To Meet:  Bo Derek
  • Boyhood Idol(s):  Hugh Hefner
  • Biggest Turn-On:  Big baseball crowd
  • Biggest Turn-Off:  Can't say
  • Favorite Subject in School:  Phys Ed.
  • Favorite TV Show:  Real People
  • Favorite Book:  The Sporting News
  • Person You Most Admire:  Dudley Moore
  • Greatest Achievement:  Playing pro baseball
  • Most Memorable Moment:  Being arrested in Dodger Stadium
  • Hobbies:  Guns
  • Toughest Batter You've Faced:  Mark Johnston