It’s been a while since the Pirates played into October, and nobody on the team understands the magnitude of their current situation more than second baseman Neil Walker.
The Pittsburgh native was just 7 years old the last time the Pirates made the playoffs, and Walker is cherishing their first postseason run since 1992, regardless of the outcome of Tuesday night’s wild-card matchup.
“Our team has worked hard to put ourselves in the position we’re in today,” Walker said. “Overcoming a tough division, along with twenty years of Pirates’ history, to secure a winning season and capture the playoff berth is a tremendous accomplishment for our entire organization.”
To commemorate the special season, Walker dipped into his pockets to give his teammates something he hopes they’ll be cracking open much deeper into the postseason.
“We’re pleased, but we’re not satisfied. We know that this was only one step in our journey. It’s the next steps — during the playoffs and beyond — that will truly define us. I gifted each of my teammates a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label to remind them it’s not over yet, we need to Keep Walking.”
Check out the pair of Walkers in the photo below with the special inscription reading, “Buc’n the trend, 2013 Pirates, Keep Walking.”
Photo via Twitter/@nandocbs
