Books and articles about Gee Walker

Gee and elder brother Hub came to the Tigers as rookie outfielders in 1931. While Hub did not stick, Gee - a fiery competitor and a clown - stayed and became a favorite in Detroit. He batted .300 or better in five of his first seven seasons. Though he stole as many as 30 bases a season, he could be a bungler on the basepaths, inattentive and overzealous. He once tried to steal a base while the batter was being given an intentional walk, and in another game he was caught off base twice in the same inning. During the 1934 World Series, he was picked off first while arguing with the Cardinal bench.

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Walker reached career highs with 18 HR, 113 RBI, and a .335 average in 1937. Yet Tiger management, unappreciative of Walker's antics, traded him to the White Sox after the season. He continued to hit well for several years but was traded four more times. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 30, 1934: In a 4–3, 10-inning loss to the Browns, Tiger CF Gee Walker is picked off base twice on the same playing, earning him a 10 day suspension for his ineptitude. After Hank Greenberg singles, Walker reaches base on a error, but then gets caught off base when C Rollie Hemsley fires to 1B. Greenberg attempts to draw a throw by running to 3B and is thrown out, with Walker taking 2B. Moments later, with Walker standing six feet off the bag "as brave as a boy on a burning deck" (writer Charles P. Ward's description), pitcher Jack Knott's throw to SS Alan Strange nabs him. Cochrane is so furious he suspends Walker and fines him $20—the 6th time this season that has earned a $20 fine. Gee's next appearance won't come until July 16 when he pinchhits for Cochrane. » April 20, 1937: Gee Walker of the Tigers becomes the only player to hit for the cycle on Opening Day when he performs the feat against the Cleveland Indians, hitting in reverse order for a HR, triple, double, and single. Detroit wins 4-3. » May 16, 1937: Browns 3B Harlond Clift equals the American League record with nine assists in a 5–4 loss to the Tigers. A fumble and late throw in the 1st inning would have given him a 10th assist. By the end of the season, Clift will set a new record for total chances and the still-standing mark of 405 assists. Tigers Gee Walker has a single to run his hit streak to 21 games. » May 22, 1937: Facing Wes Ferrell in Boston, Hank Greenberg hits a long centerfield home run out of Fenway Park. It exits to the right of the flag pole and is called the longest home run ever hit at Fenway. Gee Walker has three hits to run his hit streak to 26 straight games, but the Red Sox counter with 14 hits of their own to win, 11–9. Walker's streak will end on the 24th after 27 games. » May 30, 1937: Led by Hank Greenberg and Gee Walker, the Tigers collect 20 hits in pasting the Browns, 18–3. Greenberg is 5-for-5 with two homers, and Walker also has two homers in four hits while driving in seven runs. Rookie George Gill is the winner. » December 2, 1937: At the minor league meeting in Milwaukee, the Tigers trade popular OF Gee Walker, 3B Marv Owen, and young C Mike Tresh to the White Sox for Vern Kennedy, Tony Piet, and Dixie Walker. The trade causes an uproar with Tiger fans, and owner Walter Briggs issues an announcement from his Miami home that "the deal was made with my approval." Kennedy will start the 1938 season with nine straight wins, but ends up the year at 12–9. » December 8, 1939: The White Sox trade Gee Walker to the Senators for Pete Appleton and Taffy Wright. The Sox also pick up OF Moose Solters from the Browns for OF Ray Radcliffe, both sluggers coming of poor years. The Dodgers get Gus Mancuso and Newt Kimball from the Cubs for Al Todd. » December 12, 1940: Washington sends Gee Walker to the Red Sox for Doc Cramer. Walker is then packed off to Cleveland with P Jim Bagby, OF and C Gene Desautels for C Frank Pytlak, Odell Hale and P Joe Dobson. At the end of the War, on December 12, 1945, Bagby will return to the Red Sox. Boston also buys Pete Fox from Detroit. » May 30, 1942: The Reds split a twinbill with the Cardinals but lose three outfielders to injuries in the process. After Johnny Vander Meer wins the opener, 3–2, the Cards take the nitecap 10–5. Mike McCormick breaks his leg sliding into 2B in Game One and Harry Craft and Gee Walker are knocked out when they collide in the 8th inning of game 2.