Up Close and Personal with our Walk to Cure Arthritis National Adult Honoree Tom Walker

As a believer in living a full life and being a Champion of Yes, we asked Tom Walker – who has experienced highs and lows and endured it all – a few lighthearted, personal questions.

1. When did you realize you wanted to play baseball professionally?
   Growing up in Florida, there were several great baseball players. I was around baseball a lot and loved it. I couldn’t think of doing anything else. I thought if things went well, maybe I could play in the big leagues, which I did in 1972 when I joined the Montreal Expos.
2. Do you think your willpower to play baseball has given you the skills to help you manage your arthritis with a positive and strong outlook?
   There’s no question about that. When you play MLB, it is very difficult. I had to continually work on my skills. I took the approach of staying in the middle of the road – not getting too excited when things get too hard or too bad. I don’t let OA control or conquer me; I’ve made it part of my life – it’s just a challenge for me. Kids with juvenile arthritis get my attention.
3. How do you live “mind over matter” with your arthritis?
   You have to think about people who have something else worse than you. You must put other things in front of your arthritis and go about your day. I try not to think about it – there’s no doubt about it being there. I do think about it [the pain] when my grandchildren come over and want to play sports – and I can’t play the way I want to; it’s about impossible. Then you think, “What if I didn’t have this?” Or “Should I get that shoulder replacement surgery so I can play with them?”
4. 你印象最深的棒球比赛是什么?为什么?
   A minor league game on August 4, 1971. The Baltimore Orioles (my team) played the Albuquerque Isotopes and I pitched a 15-inning, no-hitter game! That had never been done before and hasn’t been achieved since – and most importantly, caught the attention of the MLB and helped me get traded to the big leagues.
5. Who’s been the biggest influence on your life and why?
   My dad. He was such a hard worker and never complained. There was no challenge he couldn’t take on and conquer – even if it took him a while. While a simple man, he had a remarkable work ethic, which greatly influenced me. I couldn’t have achieved this level of success without having him as my guide.
6. Favorite book or author?
   简单——麦克斯韦·马尔茨的《心理控制论》。这本书写于1960年，一直是我的必读书目。在我参加15局无安打比赛的那天晚上，我读了“克服困难”的那一章，它可以帮助你把有挑战性的事情想象出来——比如把一个小高尔夫球洞想象得很大，可以达到。
7. Favorite music?
   Motown! I can go on, but artists like the Temptations and songs like “My Girl” influenced me as a teen and are still played today. All generations can relate to it in some way, even if just at a wedding.
8. Favorite food?
   Seafood – I love king crab; it’s an easy one to like. We have it for special occasions. The last time we cooked king crab, we invited all of our children and grandchildren over for our annual “spring training kickoff dinner.”
9. What do you collect and why?
   70年代我打棒球时的纪念品，尤其是与我已故朋友罗伯托·克莱门特有关的东西，他是匹兹堡海盗队的球员。不幸的是，罗伯托死于空难。他正在前往尼加拉瓜，帮助1972年遭受地震的人们。我请求和他一起去帮忙，但他说那架五座飞机上已经没有足够的空间了，飞机上装满了帮助受苦的尼加拉瓜人的物品。起飞两小时后，我听说他在飞机失事中去世了。罗伯托给我带来了很多悲伤的回忆，但也让我想到了拥有一颗仆人的心。
10. What advice would you give people with osteoarthritis (OA)?
    Depending on how severe their OA is, they need to see a rheumatologist and/or orthopedic surgeon.More so, don’t let it control you. You must exercise, drink fluids and put it out of your mind. Doing these things, such as walking or riding a bike, will help a person tremendously. Stay in motion – and for me, prayer and a glass of red wine with good company always help me keep things light and in perspective.

Related Resources

• Meet Our National Walk to Cure Arthritis Adult Honoree: Former MLB Pitcher Tom Walker!