Goldeyes Report

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Goldeyes have their 'Ace' back

By: Ashley Prest

Posted: 02/14/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES Ace Walker is returning for fifth season with the Fish. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

THE 'Ace' on the mound is returning to the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

Pitcher Ace Walker has been signed by the Goldeyes to return for the 2012 American Association season.

Walker, 28, recorded 10 wins last season and set the Goldeyes' record for most career victories with 38. This season, the righty will become the first starter to play five seasons with the Goldeyes.

"He's about as reliable as they come in terms of starting pitching in independent baseball," Goldeyes manager Rick Forney said in a statement. "He's going to take the ball every fifth day and pitch into the sixth or seventh inning. If a guy can be that consistent, your team is obviously going to have a chance to win."

Some other milestones could be on the horizon this season: Walker needs 15 strikeouts to pass Forney for the Goldeyes' career record and he would pass Jeff Bittiger in career shutouts if he records four this season.

Last year, Walker went 10-4 in 21 starts with a 3.37 ERA. He became the third pitcher in team history to record 10 wins in two or more seasons, joining Forney and Rafael Gross. Walker won 12 games in 2009 when he was the Northern League's pitcher of the year.

"I consider ourselves lucky to have a guy like Ace for the number of years that we've had him. It doesn't happen very often," Forney said.

A product of Sparks, Okla., Walker holds Goldeyes' records for complete games (13), games started (84) and innings pitched (553) and single-season records for complete games (six in 2009) and games started (22 in 2010).

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 14, 2012 $sourceSection0

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Goldeyes Report

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Have Your Say

Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?

Have Your Say

Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.