Larry Walker statue unveiled outside Coors Field

The Colorado Rockies have unveiled a bronze statue of Larry Walker outside the main entrance to Coors Field, honouring the Maple Ridge-raised outfielder’s Hall of Fame career.

The statue depicts Walker with his bat raised after a three-run walk-off home run. Walker, 59, was visibly emotional at the ceremony as he thanked teammates, coaches and fans who made Colorado feel like home after he arrived from British Columbia.

Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020, Walker is one of only two Canadian-born players in Cooperstown, alongside pitcher Fergie Jenkins.

Walker also recognized his father, Larry Sr., a longtime Maple Ridge resident. He told the crowd that his 88-year-old father still umpires games for players aged 13 to 15, crediting him for inspiring his own love of baseball.

Walker played for the Montreal Expos from 1989 to 1994 before joining Colorado, where he played from 1995 to 2004. Over 1,988 career games, he posted a .313 batting average, 383 home runs and 1,311 RBIs, while earning five all-star selections, seven Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers.