PHILADELPHIA — Jordan Walker rooted for Chipper Jones as a young Atlanta Braves fan raised in the city’s suburbs and used to beg his family to take him to games at Turner Field.
Walker’s parents — “Jordan’s Dad” and “Jordan’s Mom,” as known by their customized jerseys this week at Major League Baseball’s annual Home Run Derby — often obliged. Derek Walker and his 7-year-old son were out in the seats beyond left field for an April 2010 series when Jason Heyward, who would go on to win five Gold Glove honors in his MLB career, made his Atlanta debut.
Oh, for sure, the younger Walker still cheered for Jones, the third baseman who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. However, after seeing a young Black star such as Heyward command the outfield the way Walker wanted to, a new favorite player moved to the top of his list.
“As soon as Jayson Heyward debuted,” Walker said. “I was like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s the guy. That’s who I want to be like.’”
The significance of representation in the Black community was never lost on Walker, who made his MLB debut in 2023 and plays right field for the St. Louis Cardinals.