Books and articles about Tilly Walker

Walker was a powerful hitter and a strong-armed outfielder - one of the dead-ball era's best. He led the AL in assists four times. Playing for the Athletics in 1918, he hit 11 HR to share the league lead with Babe Ruth. He continued as one of the game's leading home run hitters through 1922, when he hit a career-high 37. But in 1923 Athletics manager Connie Mack, stating that long-ball hitting was a fad, announced that he would stress speed and defense in the upcoming season. The Shibe Park fences were moved out, cutting home runs by 63%, and Walker was benched. He then spent six years in the minors. He was an umpire in the Appalachian League in 1938-39 and a manager in 1940. (LRD)