The Washington herald., 1911-04-21
DIXIE WALKER TO GO
UNLESS HE BRACES UP
Big Twirler Must Show Something Soon or AK VIII
FalI-Gessler to Be Given Every Chance
to Come Back.
By WILLIAM PEET.

There is one player on the Washington
baseball club likely to enjoy other
scenery before the 1911 season comes to
q close, and unless this man shows some
thing in the twirling line right soon
Manager Jim will start talking trade with
some of the other American league man.
ayers.
Dixie Walker is the athlete referred to-,
and only the greatest reversal of form
will save his bacon
Down in Atlanta, Walker was Joke
in comparison with the other pitchers.
Every single practice game in which he
twirled he was bumped hard, despite the
fact that he was apparently trying to
win.
Walker is the real disappointment this
season. Manager Jim overlooked the big
fellows eccentricities and shortcomings
last year, hoping tnat as the twirler
gained experience he would settle down.
Up to date, Walker has not settled
down, and It is a we'll known fact that
Manager Jim's patience is almost ex-
hausted.
The truth about Walker is that he is
not taking the proper care Of himself.
He does not observe strict training rules
and his work shows It.
The Birmingham lad has been plainly
told that from now on he will have to
turn over a new leaf.
There never was q pitcher who broke
into the American League with such
grand chances of making good as Wal
ker. Joe Cantillon bought him from the
GAINESVILLE club of the Tree-Eye League
two years ago. Walker reported during
the latter end of the 1909 season, and in
his first game here he struck out twelve
of the st. Louis Browns. He was just
as effective in several other games later
on. and when McAleer took hold OF the
club last season he figured Walker as one
of his winning pitchers, but Dixie fell
woefully short of the mark, winning just
enough games and showing just enough
stuff at times to hold his job
So far this season Walker has been a
rank failure He does not begin to show
the speed for which he was formerly
noted, and his curve ball is nothing of
which to brag.
Walker simply is NOT THERE, and
that's all there is to be said.
Will he come across with the goods
later?
Time only will tell.
Ben Dreyfuss. the well-known Pennsyl-
vania avenue merchant. and the writer
met on the street yesterday, and Drey-
fuss inquired:
Why are you so strong for Doc Cess
Ter Personally Gesser is fine fellow,
but I believe he has seen his best days
McAleer should play Miller in right field
and kept him there.
Mr. Dreyfuss is not the only fan who
has asked this question, and in all fair
ness an answer of some sort should be
forthcoming.
Here's the inside dope on Gessler, and
the writer knows whereof he speaks.
Gessler joined the Washington club In
September, 1893. coming here from Boston
in exchange for Pitcher Charley Smith
and a cash consideration.
He finished the 1903 season hit
ting close to the 800 mark. The year
previous he was one of the most feared
hatters in the American League. In fact.
Gessler has always hit we'll in fast COM
pany, with the exception of last year.
which. he claims, was an off one.
When the doctor received his contract
last spring the figures showed decided