ST. LOUIS -- A guest on FanDuel Sports Network during Wednesday night’s fourth inning, Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa let loose a guttural reaction over the air just seconds after Cardinals’ outfielder Alec Burleson made a nifty catch while sliding over the right-field line.

“Whoaaaa, look at Larry Walker,” La Russa called out, referring to the seven-time Gold Glover and member of the 2004 Cardinals team that reached the World Series. “That’s not Larry Walker?”

Assuredly, Burleson would happily take any comparisons to Walker, the 1997 NL MVP and a five-time All-Star while playing for the Expos, Rockies and Cardinals from 1989-2005. As for Burleson, who can also play first base and pitched in college, he’s worked to improve his defense and conditioning to be able to hold his own in the outfield so the Cardinals can keep his prodigious bat in the lineup.

“I think I’ve probably put in more work outside the nine innings than I have during the games,” said Burleson, who couldn’t do much to prevent the Cardinals’ 8-0 loss to the Cubs. “I’ve done that with the early work with [Cardinals Hall of Famer and former coach] Willie [McGee] over the last few years and then [Jon Jay] and Stubby [Clapp] this year. There’s just a lot of extra work that goes into it that not everybody sees.

“But there were plays [in past years] that I feel like I could have made and didn’t. Now, it’s coming together for me this year. But it takes a lot more work and effort to play three different positions -- and not just play them, but also be able to hold your own out there.”

Burleson flashed his defensive improvement in the Cardinals’ pulsating 8-7 win over the Cubs on Tuesday, making a sliding catch to rob Chicago superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong of a hit and later chasing down a fly ball before crashing into the netting to end a threat in the seventh inning. Even in Wednesday’s lopsided loss to the Cubs, Burleson registered two defensive gems in right field. He covered 77 feet, per Statcast, to make the sliding catch that caught La Russa’s eye in the TV booth. Later, in the seventh inning, he scampered another 70 feet to rob Chicago’s Nico Hoerner for the second time in the game.

“The confidence is pretty high with his first step [improving], and his overall determination to get better at that [right field] position has been awesome,” raved manager Oliver Marmol. “He’s putting in the work, and it’s good to see him out there making some plays. And the range is improving, allowing him to get to some more plays. It does help us to not only be able to play him at first base and DH, but also being able to put him out there [in right field] from time to time. That frees up that DH spot.”

Burleson and newcomer Garrett Hampson, who played three positions in his first game with the Cardinals, got a lot of work on Wednesday as Erick Fedde struggled through his worst start of 2025. Long-time Cards killer Ian Happ homered on the first pitch of the game, and remarkably, things got worse. He surrendered three runs in the second, a solo run in the third and two more in the fourth before being lifted.

While he hoped to flush the memory of a bad outing, Fedde stressed that he must figure out a better plan of attack against a Cubs team he is expected to see again next weekend when the Cards play at Wrigley Field.

“I’ll have a lot to look at and I’ll have [the Cubs] again in 10 days, and that’s how I’m looking at it,” said Fedde, who came into Wednesday with an expected ERA of 4.99, which ranks in MLB’s bottom 12th percentile. “I’ll get my chance to change the narrative there. I felt like I had put together a good month and a half, and this one makes you feel like you ruined all that.

“It’s going to be about me taking the time to watch through this game, maybe see where I made mistakes and where I can grow. It’s time for me to go into the video room and dig in in there.”

Burleson has dug into getting better defensively, and some of the exceptional hand-eye coordination he’s shown at the plate has helped him in the field. Coming into Wednesday, he ranked in MLB’s 93rd percentile in squared-up rate (34.7%), 91st percentile in lowest strikeout rate (13.3%) and 89th percentile in lowest swing-and-miss rate (16.3%). Put that with his improved defense, and it’s easy to see why he’s evolved into an everyday player.

“Burly’s got a great swing, and he’s a great hitter, and when he makes great plays for us, that’s just huge,” said 10-time Gold Glover Nolan Arenado.

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced today that it arranged the $87.2 million acquisition financing for Santa Fe Ranch Apartments, a 320-unit garden-style conventional multifamily property in the coastal submarket of La Costa, California.

Walker & Dunlop Capital Markets led by Mark Grace and John Montakab arranged the interest-only, fixed-rate loan on behalf of an institutional investment group, with Freddie Mac providing the capital.

Santa Fe Ranch is a 1987-vintage, 320-unit multifamily community situated on 20 acres in one of San Diego County’s most desirable and supply-constrained areas. The property offers a mix of spacious 1- and 2-bedroom units and features an attractive amenity package that includes a resort-style pool and spa, updated fitness center, business lounge, BBQ/picnic areas, and a dog park, appealing to the area’s active, lifestyle-oriented renter demographic.

As the largest community in La Costa and the third largest in all of Carlsbad, Santa Fe Ranch offers walkable access to top-rated schools, retail, dining, and outdoor amenities like Stagecoach Park. With direct access to major employment hubs and proximity to one of San Diego’s strongest rent growth markets, the property’s prime location and affluent tenant base position it for long-term value.

“Santa Fe Ranch is a standout asset in Carlsbad, held by the seller for many years. Our client is acquiring a rare value-add opportunity in a prime, supply-constrained market where new development is extremely limited, highlighting the long-term growth and strategic potential of this property,” said Mark Grace, senior managing director of Capital Markets at Walker & Dunlop.

Walker & Dunlop is a leader in multifamily property sales, having completed over $57 billion in property sales volume since 2021. The firm is also one of the top providers of capital to the U.S. multifamily market. In 2024, Walker & Dunlop originated over $30 billion in debt financing volume, and sourced over $16 billion from non-Agency capital providers, including lending over $25 billion for multifamily properties. To learn more about our capabilities and financing options, visit our website.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is one of the largest commercial real estate finance and advisory services firms in the United States and internationally. Our ideas and capital create communities where people live, work, shop, and play. Our innovative people, breadth of our brand, and our technological capabilities make us one of the most insightful and client-focused firms in the commercial real estate industry.

BATON ROUGE, La., July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pickleball Kingdom, the world's largest indoor pickleball entity, announces its very first facility in Louisiana, coming to Walker, at 28145 Walker South, Walker, Louisiana, 70785. The state-of-the-art facility will span approximately 60,000 square feet and feature 16 professional-grade indoor courts. It is targeting an opening in the first quarter of 2026.

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"We can't wait to bring Pickleball Kingdom to the great state of Louisiana, beginning with the welcoming community of Walker," said Ace Rodrigues, Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom. "This is our very first club in Louisiana. It is a meaningful milestone in our national growth, and it brings us one step closer to our mission of making pickleball accessible to everyone, everywhere."

The Walker facility will offer:

"This isn't just a win for Walker, it's a win for the greater Baton Rouge area and all of Livingston Parish," said the local ownership team. "Pickleball Kingdom will be a place where people of all ages can gather, play, and make lasting memories. It fills a real need for a space that promotes wellness, connection, and recreation in a way that's both accessible and inviting. We believe it will quickly become a true community hub. One that strengthens relationships, encourages healthy lifestyles, and brings a new kind of energy and joy to the region. Whether you're a seasoned player or picking up a paddle for the first time, this space is for everyone, from Walker to Baton Rouge and beyond. It's energizing to be part of something that brings people together in such a meaningful way."

"We're excited to partner with a passionate local ownership group that shares our vision for growing pickleball and building strong, connected communities," said Rob Streett, President and Chief Global Officer of Pickleball Kingdom. "Their commitment to excellence and expanding access to the sport makes them the perfect team to launch Pickleball Kingdom's presence in Louisiana."

For more information and updates on the Walker location:

Website: https://pickleballkingdom.com/walker-la/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballkingdom.walker/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577209453354Email: [email protected]

About Pickleball Kingdom

Pickleball Kingdom is the premier indoor pickleball franchise, dedicated to fostering community and providing world-class facilities. With a mission to create a global network of pickleball venues, Pickleball Kingdom is at the forefront of the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.

Pickleball Kingdom offers franchisees the highest industry AUV (average unit volume) per location, demonstrating the strength of its business model and the comprehensive support provided to franchise owners.

As pickleball continues to surge in popularity, Pickleball Kingdom invites driven individuals to explore franchise opportunities and join this exciting growth. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit https://pickleballkingdom.com/franchise/.

For Franchise or Media Inquiries:

Mitch Kistner, Sr. Director of Marketing Email: [email protected]Phone: 888-725-0072

SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom Franchising