Will the Fans Get Behind Christian Walker?

Christian Walker has been one of the leaders both on and off the field for the Diamondbacks for the last several years. He is a main reason the team is in the World Series against the Texas Rangers. The teams are tied 1-1, with Game 3 tonight at Chase Field at 5:03 P.M. first pitch.

Walker followed up his career year in 2022 by putting up almost the exact same numbers. Last year he hit .242 with a 36 homers and 94 RBI while winning the NL Gold Glove for first base. This year he hit .258 with 33 homers and 103 RBI, leading the Diamondbacks in both categories. He is also a finalist for the NL Gold Glove award with an excellent chance to take home the hardware for a second straight year.

It's been a tough go of late in the postseason however. He started off well enough, going 3-for-4 in the first game against Milwaukee with two RBI. He also hit the third of four straight homers the D-backs smashed in the fourth inning of the game three clincher against the Dodgers in the NLDS.

Since then he is just 3-for-31, with one double and two RBI. He's taken eight walks in his last nine games, but the frustration has been showing. A groundswell of support has developed however, perhaps inspired by what the Phillies did for a struggling Trea Turner. There is a grass roots movement for fans to give Walker a standing ovation when he comes to the plate in the first inning tonight. That grassroots movement is now starting to move mainstream as well. The ever exuberant local sports reporter Cameron Cox of 12 News made an appeal to fans.

YOOO ARIZONA... I need a favor.

Seen a few people say this --- so I decided to issue the challenge on TV.

When Christian Walker bats.... need everybody in Chase Field to give him a standing ovation. All he does is try to help this team win... now it's your turn to help him! pic.twitter.com/1XtqDXPKmX
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) October 30, 2023

Walker has been a leader both on and off the field. Always accountable, always hard working, the generally understated veteran has taken a more vocal role as well. Whether it be in team meetings, or just with his teammates one on one, or in addressing the media, Walker has embraced that role with the team. It's appreciated by his manager Torey Lovullo.

"He's everything we want from an Arizona Diamondback. He holds himself accountable. He holds his teammates accountable. He works as hard as anybody that you see out there. And, example, doesn't miss a day of ground balls -- despite being known as somebody who can hit 30 home runs and drive in 104 or 105 runs. He wants to be a complete baseball player. That means a lot to this organization."

Teammate Corbin Carroll echoed these sentiments about Walker's leadership

"He's become one of our more vocal leaders during meetings and such. But it's also the little effort that are maybe a little more subtle that he's good at as well. A quick interaction in the locker room, whatever it is, going and saying "good game" to someone after they had a good game. It's the little stuff like that that he's really good at."

No matter the fans reaction tonight, Walker has the respect of his manager, coaches and teammates and they know he'll always give his best in every situation. You can't ask for more than that.