Tiger of the WeekGee Walker
Gerald "Gee" Walker played 15 seasons in the big league, but got his start in Detroit, where he played from 1931 through 1937. Walker was a regular outfielder for the most part, but was heavily platooned some seasons, including 1934.
Walker was one of the boys - he and his wife lived in the same housing complex as many of the other Tigers players, and he played golf in the winters down in Florida with Elden Auker, Paul Waner, Babe Ruth and many others. He was best known for his easy, clowning style that made him a fan favorite, and his speed, which allowed him to steal plenty of basis. Unfortunately, Walker was also notoriously innatentive on the base paths, and was regularly picked off. He may hold the distinction of being the only major league ball player responsible for two pickoffs in the same inning, when he was caught off base and saved by Hank Greenberg's self sacrifice, only to then be picked off himself. Tiger manager Mickey Cochrane had finally had enough and suspended and fined Walker.
Walker peaked in 1936-37, and made the All Star in the latter season. Although he continued to play after being traded in 1938 to Chicago, it was mostly down hill for him, and Walker posed very mediocre numbers in his 30s, despite that lax competition that came from the war time substitute players.
A football and baseball standout at the University of Mississippi, Walker is a member of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame.
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