Bret Walker likes to talk about baseball and, proudly, about how the sport has been a part of his family tradition for generations.

His dad's brother played in the pros, was inducted to the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame, now coaches for an Iowa College team and was a pitching coach for the Colorado Rockies in the summer league.

And Walker, who says his father taught him how to play, is proud of the baseball glove he now owns that belonged to his great grandfather. As the story goes, he turned down an opportunity to play pro baseball in 1918 - to farm in Manitoba.

The glove, from the 1940s era, is something tucked away at the family home.

Now, it's the 21-year old playing the game. And if you happen to see two guys who look alike - Bret is the oldest of twins, by 17 minutes.

Walker is at George Brown College, likely the final stop of an educational excursion, and in his second year of a bachelor of business degree. Twice, he was on the dean's list in his first year and capped it with an all-academic award from the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association.

After his education is over, he wants to pursue a career as a financial analyst.

"I find it very interesting and think I can do well in that kind of work," he said, acknowledging that his dad is a financial planner. "I have been good with my own money and think it would be fascinating managing money."

An honors academic student at Neepawa Area Collegiate, then a year at the University of Manitoba, Walker made the move to Assiniboine Community College where he graduated in business administration before heading east to George Brown.

Dedication and leadership are two strong points for him and when he's not engaged in studies, Walker plays baseball.

As for position preference, he's not fussy and says it's a toss-up between catching or in the outfield. In his first year at George Brown, Walker - who bats left and throws right - only saw game action three times because of a shoulder injury that lasted longer than the short OCAA season.

"I'm ready to go now, the shoulder is fine and looking forward to the first game," said Walker, whose academic success has been a high priority. "Last year was my first year of competitive baseball since high school."

Source: George Brown College