Some of the rough times were more public than Walker would have wanted. His run-in with Guillen in 2008 was well-documented as was his shouting match with general manager Kenny Williams this season in what was believed to be about Williams' public criticism of Beckham's approach at the plate.

Walker got through it all, mainly because he wanted to do the best job he could for Reinsdorf. Walker not only got a chance to play for Reinsdorf's White Sox team, but coach it as well. And there was Walker's life-threatening seizure in 1988 during batting practice. Reinsdorf quietly paid for much of Walker's medical bills at the time.

So as Walker talked Wednesday, the emotions of his last day on the daily grind with his second family got the best of him. He said he didn't know what he might do next, but hasn't ruled out returning to baseball at some point and even returning to the White Sox in some capacity.

Walker and Reinsdorf will sit down in a week and talk about the future.

i probably da man, but whatever.