Nickname and Accompanying Rumor
Since at least his days at Cal Berkeley, Walker has been known as "The Gobbler."
While Walker has never given an explanation for the nickname's origins, former Cal team captain Jonathan Petke says the nickname started in college, according to his account given to the University's student paper, the Daily Californian April 15, 1996 issue. Apparently, as Walker was making the transition from catcher to relief pitching, and fighting nerves, Walker would take a shot of Wild Turkey (bourbon) whiskey before jogging down to the bullpen. Walker had played the large majority of his 10 previous years of organized baseball behind the dish, and relieving took some adjusting. Walker recorded one save and maintained a 3.58 ERA that season.
Read more about this topic: Tyler Walker
Famous quotes containing the words nickname, accompanying and/or rumor:
“A nickname is the heaviest stone that the devil can throw at a man. It is a bugbear to the imagination, and, though we do not believe in it, it still haunts our apprehensions.”
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830)
“Parents need to recognize that the negative behavior accompanying certain stages is just a small part of the total child. It should not become the main focus or be pushed into the limelight.”
—Saf Lerman (20th century)
“I heard a bustling rumor like a fray,
And the wind blows it from the Capitol.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)