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Rockies Unveil Statue, Celebrate Franchise Legend Larry Walker

It was a huge day for one of the most celebrated Colorado Rockies players in history as Larry Walker got his own statue.
Colorado Rockies former right fielder Larry Walker. Credit: Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado Rockies former right fielder Larry Walker. Credit: Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

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Eight months after announcing a celebration of Larry Walker during Rockies Fest, the Colorado Rockies made it a day to remember.

Walker, one of the most productive Rockies in franchise history, was on hand along with franchise icons, former teammates and thousands of fans as his statue was unveiled before Sunday’s game. The statue can be found at home plate.

Walker spoke during the ceremony, spoke to reporters before the game and was honored on the field before the contest began.

Larry Walker’s Brilliant Rockies Career

There’s little reason to debate whether Walker is worthy of a statue. In Rockies history, he is one of the true franchise legends who helped put the expansion franchise on the map in the 1990s.

He joined Colorado in 1995 as a free agent after spending the first six seasons of his career with the Montreal Expos. He remained in Colorado for the next 10 seasons before he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004.

With Colorado, he slashed .334/.426/.618 with 258 home runs and 848 RBI. As a Rockie he was a National League MVP, a four-time All-Star, a two-time NL Silver Slugger and a five-time NL Gold Glove recipient. He also won three NL batting crowns. In 1995, he helped the Rockies make the postseason for the first time in franchise history.

He was one of the most productive hitters of his era. In 17 Major League seasons he batted .313/.400/.565 with 383 home runs and 1,311 RBI. He was a five-time All-Star, a seven-time NL Gold glove winner and was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020 by the Baseball Writers Association of America in his final year of eligibility on the ballot.

He remains the all-time franchise leader in batting average (.334), on-base percentage (.426), slugging percentage (.618), OPS (1.044) and adjusted OPS+ (147). He is second all-time with 258 home runs, ahead of former teammates Vinny Castilla (239) and Andres Galarraga (201), among others.

The statue was designed and created by sculptors George and Mark Lundeen of Lundeen Sculptures in Longmont, Colorado. The first 15,000 fans in attendance on Sunday received a replica of the statue.

Walker is not the only Rockies legend getting a statue this season. Todd Helton, who is also in the Baseball Hall of Fame and played his entire career with the franchise, will get his statue on Saturday, Sept. 19, prior to the game at Coors Field.

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Matt Postins
MATT POSTINS

Matthew Postins is an award-winning sports journalist who covers Major League Baseball for OnSI. He also covers the Big 12 Conference for Heartland College Sports.

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