Taijuan Walker appeared in the first All-Star Game of his career and represented the Mets out in Colorado on Tuesday night.
Walker came in to pitch the full top of the sixth frame, striking out one batter while also allowing a solo home run to Tampa Bay’s Mike Zunino.
After his inning of work, Walker spoke to reporters about what it was like to pitch in his first All-Star Game.
“I was super excited,” Walker said during a 1-on-1 with SNY’s Michelle Margaux. “I just had a big smile on my face the whole time.
"I was super excited"
Taijuan Walker talks to @mmargaux8 about pitching in his first All-Star Game pic.twitter.com/o6GgsrgsRi
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 14, 2021
“The red carpet was fun, watching Pete [Alonso] win the Home Run Derby and just standing on the mound and listening to my family scream for me and cheer for me. Just being a part of it, having the All-Star on my back…it’s pretty cool, just the whole experience of it.”
"Just hearing my family scream for me, and cheer for me. I definitely heard them when I got that strikeout, so I'll definitely remember that one for a while" – Taijuan Walker on what he'll remember from the All-Star Game pic.twitter.com/yCUVCgXBLU
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 14, 2021
This was Walker’s first time getting to experience playing in a game with and be around all of the league’s biggest stars, and it took full advantage of the opportunity.
“Just hanging around guys, talking to them, seeing their personalities outside the baseball field,” Walker said. “Talking with [Fernando] Tatis [Jr.], [Manny] Machado, you know just a bunch of different guys that I wouldn’t ever really get to talk to cause we’re competing against each other.”
Walker earned his All-Star nod after racking up a 7-3 record, 2.50 ERA and 89 strikeouts in his first season with the Mets.
“I just feel healthy this year,” Walker said on his success this season. “Coming back last year, first year back from Tommy John and I throw really good. And then this year I just feel like I’m finally putting the pieces together.
The Mets will need his stellar stuff in the second half of the season if they hope to maintain their hold on the NL East.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].