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Rockies to retire Larry Walker's No. 33 before…
Rockies to retire Larry Walker's No. 33 before game against Cardinals in April
Walker will join Todd Helton (No. 17) as the only players in Colorado history with their numbers retired
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Colorado's Larry Walker, left, and Todd Helton celebrate Walker's home run against San Diego's Brett Tomko in the 5th inning at Coors Field on May 24, 2002.
By Kyle Newman | knewman@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: January 17, 2020 at 11:10 a.m. | UPDATED: January 17, 2020 at 4:28 p.m.
Larry Walker, the lone MVP in Rockies franchise history, will have his number retired Sunday, April 19, the team announced Friday.
Walker's No. 33 will join Todd Helton's No. 17 on the right-field facade inside Coors Field.
"There is no bigger honor an organization can give a player than retiring his number," Walker said in a statement. "I can't tell you how taken aback I am by this gesture. I am both thrilled and honored and I look forward to seeing my number hanging next to the greatest Rockie of all time, No. 17."
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The outfielder played parts of 10 seasons with Colorado from 1995 to 2004, and ranks first in franchise history in batting average (.334), on-base percentage (.426) and slugging percentage (.618). He hit 258 homers with the Rockies in addition to 848 RBIs and 126 stolen bases.
"I think he's the greatest — or at least the most talented— player in Rockies history," said former Rockies shortstop and manager Walt Weiss, who played three seasons with Walker. "Now, Todd played in Colorado longer, all 17 years, so maybe he's the greatest. But Larry is the most talented."
During his National League MVP season in 1997, Walker led the majors with a .720 slugging percentage, a 1.172 OPS and 409 total bases. He also paced the NL with 49 homers, which is tied with Helton's 2001 total for the most single-season home runs in team history.
"Larry Walker carried all five tools, and was the most instinctive player I have ever seen play the game," Rockies owner Dick Monfort said. "He put together 17 incredible years in the big leagues. No. 33 hanging in Coors Field will be a constant reminder of the vast talent of Larry Walker that we were all so lucky to witness here in Colorado."
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The club's announcement that it will retire Walker's number comes four days before the National Baseball Hall of Fame announcement for Cooperstown's Class of 2020. Walker, in his 10th and final year of eligibility on the ballot, is projected to finish right around the 75% induction threshold.
April 19's game, which will cap a weekend of celebrations for Walker, will be against the Cardinals. Walker finished his career in St. Louis in 2005. He started his career with the Expos in 1989 before signing with Colorado as a free agent.
Dick Monfort
Larry Walker
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Todd Helton
Walt Weiss
Kyle Newman | Sportswriter
Kyle Newman is a sportswriter for The Denver Post, a position he's held since 2016. He is a beat reporter covering the Colorado Rockies and Denver Broncos in addition to covering other professional, college and high school athletics around the state. He is a member of the BBWAA and PFWA.
knewman@denverpost.com
Follow Kyle Newman @KyleNewmanDP
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