FRANKLIN — "And this ball is swung on, wow, deep!" the announcer says.
TMJ4 Main Sports Anchor Lance Allan asks what is it like, to hit a 450-foot bomb?
"It ah, feels pretty good," Milwaukee Milkmen Outfielder Adam Walker says. "I'm not gonna lie. You know, I think that's why I play baseball. I got obsessed with that feeling when I was a little kid and just still chasing it. Going up there every at bat, trying to hit something hard."
"It's a lot of fun when you see it off the bat. It's just different. And it's still to this day? I think he deserves a shot at the big leagues, just to see what he can do," Milwaukee Milkmen Manager Anthony Barone says.
"And then to see him hit the ball?" Milwaukee Milkmen Owner Mike Zimmerman says. "I mean it's amazing."
In a shortened season, Walker hit 22 homers in 220 at bats. Exactly one every 10 plate appearances.
"Yeah, I just remember at BP, my coach told me to let it go and I hit some balls in the trees. And I was like, oh, I like this. I should try to do this more often. So yeah, in college, just when I finally committed myself to the game," Walker says.
Now the American Association is a partner league with Major League Baseball, as the future of some minor league teams is very much in doubt. That could benefit the Milkmen, and Milwaukee native Walker.
"He's a special, franchise player, right? So he's, you know the local tie in. He's so great with kids and families. He's so humble. He's quiet. He leads through actions," Zimmerman says.
"Been close to the dream. But I get to play baseball every day. So, just really make the best of it," Walker says.
Named American Association MVP, now Walker hopes this could give him one more shot, at achieving a dream.
"Hopefully at some point? Get a shot," Walker says. "Try to get back, and you know, fill out that dream, childhood dream of being a big leaguer."
"I'm hopeful that he's gonna, you know, get another shot at getting back to affiliated baseball. But he's meant so much to this franchise, and you know, if not affiliated? He is welcome here for as long as you know, he can swing it. And even then? Even if he still can't swing it, he's probably got a role here!" Zimmerman says.
The long time feeder system of baseball is changing.
