The Gilliam Blog - All the Blog While Its Blog

OK kids, repeat after me...""Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

"And who said it children?" asked Russ. "Sydney."


"Benjamin Franklin, of course. Everybody knows that Dad."

---fiction by the way

Centerfielder and leadoff hitter, #6 Chris Walker

January 24, 2007
Chris Walker: The Speed Merchant of the Minors
by Thomas Edgar

If you look at the stats for Chris Walker, one thing jumps out at you immediately, the 220 stolen bases he has had in his five seasons in the minors. Now he isn't just a guy that steals bases. He also has a decent bat and can work the count to get on base. Walker played the 2006 season at Double-A West Tennessee and appeared in 131 games and finished with a .292 batting average, .351 on-base percentage and racked up 50 stolen bases. Walker was drafted in the 6th round of the 2002 draft by the Cubs.

Walker has been patiently working his way up the Cubs minor league system and in the last few years has become a solid player. He has been invited again to spring training this year in Arizona and will get a chance to win the job in center field. The Cubs don't currently have an outright centerfielder so all possibilities are open. For now the plan seems to have Matt Murton if left, Alfonso Soriano in center and Jacque Jones in right. If Jones is traded, Soriano could shift to right and open a spot in center. Chris Walker isn't likely to win the job but you never know what might happen.

Last year during spring training Walker spent a lot of time talking with both Juan Pierre and Marquis Grissom trying to get some pointers that will help him succeed at the higher levels. First, Juan Pierre gave him some good tips about bunting. Pierre's theory is that if he can put a bunt in the right spot, no one can throw him out, no matter where they are playing. It is nice to know that he was able to learn from Pierre. I don't know what Cubs fans think of him but he is known as a great bunter. Walker also worked with Pierre on base-stealing in regards to how to read the pitchers and how to get a good jump. Walker obviously has the speed so to be able to get tips from a guy like Pierre it will only make him better. Grissom didn't have a lot of pointers but did explain how hard it was to get to the majors and how hard it was to stay there. This should give Walker an idea of how much work it will take him to make it to Chicago.

Walker also comes from a family with a lot of baseball history. His grandfather was a player on a semi-pro baseball team at a time when African-American players weren't able to go much higher. He also had two uncles's that were baseball players at the collegiate level and now Walker has a chance to make it to the big leagues. He will have to play well because both Felix Pie and Eric Patterson have been mentioned for possibilities in centerfield. It could be a race to see who is first to take the spot and the other two players could be on the outside looking in. Walker obviously has the speed that teams like to have and he has the bat as well but he needs to do them both well to make it to the majors. Watch out for Chris Walker. He isn't a guy that gets a lot of attention but he might as he gets closer to Chicago.

Walker's line from 2006 at Double-A West Tenn - .292/.351/.390/741/2/35. He has not had an OBP lower than .344 since 2003. Walker hit 11 triples in 2006 which was the most in the Southern League; he also set a new club record for hits in a season (150) which landed him jut behind the league leader.

Lisa,

Sorry we missed your call. I found it to be funny...Daddy had catfish at Dollywood yesterday, and Mommy had it tonight at Sullivans. I bet theirs wasn't as good as yours though. You may have had better fish, but I dare to say that you didn't have the lesson in cultural diversity that I had tonight at Zuma Fun Center.

I will be at Smokies Park after Chruch tomorrow. I will wear my baseball uniform to the game along with others in my league. The Smokies' players will put on a clinic for us before the game. Afterwards, I will eat hotdogs and popcorn while watching the game.

Have a safe trip home.

Love,
Nick

In a moment of weakness, Pop decided it was time to clean out the attic. After much turmoil, he was able to actually remove a passel of memories that were dear to his heart. Among these treasures that were removed were 200+ old tennis balls, 60+ trophies of Russ and Laura--saving a few of their special ones plus a few for future practical jokes, 2o year old carpet remnants, box full of huge pinecones garnered from Travis Plunkett's yard at the time of Iris Virginia's (alias West Virginia) wedding, an easel made by Grandaddy Gilliam, old fishing rods, etc. (Note that 3 people have already rumaged through these treasures and made off with valuable items.) Rest assured that I am not fearing my imminent demise---I might, however, get too old to climb the folding stairway. It must have not been too traumatic experience as I slept through the night without getting up---a raaare experience even with the help of Flomax. In fact, I was very proud of my actions.

Daddy's old
Syd's Bday sleepover
Fun at the soccer matches
Be careful with the knives kids
Cooper's Bday sleepover..Dad did not get to have a sleep over this year

Gabe getting his birth certificate into Christianity!


Proud parents and siblings


Proud parents and Gabe. Bro. Dean Emerson baptized him and that meant alot to us.

test 1.2.3....testing juliet, alpha, victor

Pop and Momma Nan provided more than just 8 eggs like Nick & Noah's momma did. 

Her Pop taught her this form.