Painter ready to pitch in

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/05/2012 (4879 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He’s performed a rap song in Goldeyes boxer shorts for charity, painted the club logo of an angry fish and has won more games than anyone on the mound in a Winnipeg uniform.

A pitcher and a painter, Ace Walker has returned for a the 2012 American Association season with the Winnipeg Goldeyes as the first hurler to play in five seasons for the franchise.

“I just love everything about playing here, putting on the uniform, talking with the guys, playing catch, learning new things,” said the 28-year-old Walker. “I love learning new things every year.”

After becoming the team’s all-time leader in wins by a pitcher (37) last season, Walker needs 15 strikeouts to become the Goldeyes’ leader in career strikeouts. He has struck out 299 batters in 86 appearances.

The current record holder is Goldeyes manager Rick Forney (1997-2000) with 313.

“That’d be neat to get that but I’m not a strikeout pitcher at all so it takes me a bit longer to catch up to guys who’ve struck out a bunch,” said Walker. “For me, I’m all about pitching to contact and let my defence do all the rest. I rely a lot on my teammates and I like doing that because I know they can handle it.”

Walker said he’s set simple numerical goals for himself this season.

“For me the most important things are to try to have 10 wins, an ERA under 3.00 and try to go deep in the game, average 61/2, 7 innings,” he said. “That’s always my goal. I want to give the bullpen rest if it needs it.”

While Walker started Tuesday’s game at Shaw Park against the St. Paul Saints in Day 4 of training camp, it was a short night. He allowed two hits and no runs in a two-inning stint. Easing into the season as a starter and staying healthy are crucial in training camp.

Last season, Walker won 10 games for the second time in his career as a member of the Goldeyes. He had 12 wins in 2009.

“Ace has so much experience here with the team, the organization, the city, he’s a great example for the new guys coming in here to show how we do our business here,” said Goldeyes pitching coach Bill Pulsipher, who was a member of the Winnipeg pitching staff with Walker in 2009. “He and a catcher like Luis (Alen, in his fourth Goldeyes season) have seen a lot of the pitchers in this league so we can rely on them for scouting reports to help us get prepared.”

In the off-season, Walker lives in Sparks, Okla., and is an accomplished artist who operates his own company (acewalkerart.com). He paints murals, pieces of art and any other creative projects that comes his way.

Though he pitches and paints right-handed, Walker has taught himself to use his left hand in painting large areas to ease the workload on his pitching arm.

“In 2006 when I was with the Rangers, I did a bunch of jobs right before training camp and I got tendinitis (in his pitching arm),” Walker said. “I think that was part of the reason, not the whole reason, because I was using it so much. So now I’m real conscious of switching it up.”

A special project he is hoping will unfold in the near future could take him to Africa.

“A company I work with is building some schools in Africa so I’m hoping I’ll get the chance to go to Africa and maybe do some artwork for those kids out there,” Walker said. “That would be really, really awesome.”

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca