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Justin Morneau is a member of the Colorado Rockies, after signing a two-year deal in December, and he'll be wearing number 33 in Denver this year after receiving his idol and Rockies legend Larry Walker's blessing to do so, writes MLB.com's Thomas Harding.
Morneau's from New Westminster, British Columbia, and he grew up adoring Larry Walker, from Maple Ridge, B.C., who spent 10 very productive years with the Rockies from 1994 to 2004.
Morneau said:
"I actually called [Walker] and asked if it was OK if I wore 33 here. I know it hasn't been worn since he was here and I know what he meant to this team and this organization and everything he accomplished here.
"It wasn't one of those things I took lightly. It was something out of respect for him and what he's done. For him to give it the thumbs-up, to let me wear it, hopefully I'll make him proud."
Walker ranks second among Rockies hitters in games played (1,170), runs (892), hits (1,361), doubles (297), home runs (258), and RBI (848), trailing only Todd Helton in those categories. Walker ranks first in batting average (.334), slugging percentage (.618), and OPS (1.044). He left his mark on the Rockies' organization, as you can see, and Morneau showed his fellow Canadian a lot of respect in asking Walker's permission for what is, let's face it, his number.
Walker and Morneau: two Canadian boys done good.
