The Pirates Need Neil Walker To Succeed!

By The Last Hollywood Star


Neil Walker’s September 2nd Pirate debut came up short. In his first full game, Walker went 0-4 and made a throwing error that lead directly to the Bucs’ 5-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

The Pirates need Walker to succeed. With the outlook for the team so bleak, Pirate fans yearn for a reason to come out to PNC Park and root for at least individual successes if outright team victories are too much to hope for.

Walker is only twentieth Pittsburgh native to play for the Pirates. Some like Dick Groat and Frank Thomas were stars. Others like Pirate broadcaster John Wehner played competently.

They were local heroes.

In 2004, Walker out of Pine-Richland High School was the Pirates first round draft choice. Now 24, he could have a long productive career for the Pirates.

During the season, fans have heard Pirate management talk proudly of its investment in the Dominican Republic.

This may or may not prove to be a good long term strategy. Stocking teams with foreign-born players hasn’t panned out for the New York Mets, the Chicago Cubs or the Seattle Mariners, to name a few.

On the other hand, the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, the runner up Tampa Bay Rays and the perennial winning Boston Red Sox’s roster are dominated by Americans.

I urge the Bucs to adopt what I’ll call an Ohio Valley strategy. Besides combing the globe for international talent, the Pirates should seek out homegrown players like Walker and develop them into stars.

If Walker produces, its good for the team, the management and the fans. All of us could use some positive Pirate developments news.