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.
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.
