Greg Walker is relinquishing his position as Chicago White Sox hitting coach, bringing an end to a turbulent nine-year tenure during which he clashed with general manager Ken Williams.
Walker said before Wednesday’s season finale that he decided about a month ago that he would step down and informed team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. Walker said he will have dinner with Reinsdorf but has no other future plans at this time.
Paul Konerko expressed regret over Walker’s departure.
“I was rock bottom when I got here, and he rebuilt me,” Konerko said.
Walker said he was going to step down, regardless of manager Ozzie Guillen’s decision to leave.
“If Ozzie was back here as manager, I was not going to be the hitting coach next year,” Walker told beat writers. “I informed him a while back. I signed a contract through the end of the year. They have known ever since I’ve been here if they had somebody else to do this job more power to them.
“I want what’s best for the White Sox. It didn’t have anything to do with the recent events. I was not going to be the hitting coach. That decision was already made.”
Walker, however, admitted the past few years have taxed him.
“Yeah, it’s been a tough few years on all of us,” Walker said. “Nobody involved in this organization involved the last three years has not been beat up. You have to go through tough times to make things happen.
“This organization is as relevant as it’s ever been. First got here, there were nothing but Cubs hats on Michigan Avenue. Now you walk down Michigan Avenue seeing Sox hats. My part in that, I am very proud of it.”
Walker expressed his gratitude to Reinsdorf, whom he’s cultivated a strong friendship with dating back to his playing days starting in 1983.
The Sox could look within their organization for a successor, with roving minor league hitting instructor Jeff Manto and Triple-A Charlotte coach Tim Laker as possible candidates.
