Bio

Baseball is Anthony’s life. After graduation from Montgomery High School, where he participated in both baseball and football, Anthony came to Southwestern College to play for Jerry Bartow. He credits the skills he learned on the college’s baseball diamond for preparing him for his career in professional baseball.

Extremely talented and ambitious, Anthony spent three years playing in Mexico’s minor leagues for the Tijuana Pony Team. He was discovered by a scout from the Cincinnati Reds major league baseball team who recognized his abilities and his potential to play at a professional level. Coming back to the United States, he competed two years for the Reds minor league team before being picked up by the Houston Astros. He played three years in the minors for the Astros before making it onto the roster of their major league club. After playing one year in the majors he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he played on their minor league team. He was then picked by the Laredo Texas, one of the baseball teams in Mexico’s major league. Europe was his next stop, where he played for Holland in Europe’s professional baseball league. By the time, Anthony returned to the States, he made a decision. He wanted to give back to baseball by coaching youth and sharing his knowledge and experience.

Throughout Anthony’s professional career he always made time for young people- to teach them the skills they needed to succeed in following their dream to play baseball. Wherever baseball took him, he participated in youth baseball clinics. His love of baseball was his motivation as well as seeing the excitement in their face and watching their skills and confidence elevate.

He started his coaching career by coaching at Holy Name High School in Oakland and then a Bentley High School also in the Bay Area. HE became involved with boy’s baseball when he coached in the youth “Die-Hard” league-particularly focusing his attention on boys, ages eight through 16 years of age. In 2010, he moved to Freedom High School in Brentwood, where he coached the junior varsity team. In 2013, Anthony became head varsity coach at Vacaville Christian High School.

Over the years, Anthony realized there was nowhere in the area for ballplayers to practice the skill of pitching and batting other than the few hours they had to practice at their respective school’s field. SO with a partner, in 2001, Anthony opened the Art of Baseball Company in Vacaville. There softball and baseball players can come and practice their batting and pitching skills under the supervision and direction of Anthony and other former players.

An exceptional player, Anthony has become a passionate coach and teacher who consistently develops strong fundamentals while focusing his efforts on player improvement. But through he entire leaning process, he always wants to players to have fun and learn to enjoy the game. For his outstanding accomplishments on the baseball field, Anthony was selected for the Men’s Baseball League Hall of Fame for the Bay Area.

Anthony’s best memory of Southwestern College is of Jerry Bartow, the college’s head baseball coach. Jerry worked with him in the off-season preparing him for the college’s baseball season. Anthony credit Jerry for the start of his pro career because of the improvement he made because of his help.

Southwestern College is proud to welcome Anthony Walker, professional baseball player, coach, and teacher, into the 2014 Athletic Hall of Fame. Congratulations!