Show Dixie Walker leads Pirate Sluggers HOLLYWOOD HOLLY Cal Cat March 25 C The P-The P The old man with the scythe apparently hasn't done any harm to Dixie Walker Valker as a hitter Even though Walker Valker now nearIng nearing nearing near- near ing 39 got ot to training camp 10 da days s 's late he is top man amon among the three Pittsburgh h Pirates who are slapping the apple at al a clip or better Dixie was going g strong when the 1948 season finished finished he he was leadIng leading leading lead lead- ing the club with a mark of He didn't let up over winter With 10 of the 3 1 exhibition games out of oC the way he has banged out eight base hits In 19 trips for an average of ot Only player threatening Walkers Walker's Walkers Walker's Walk Walk- Valker's ers er's No 1 spot at nt the moment is Eddie Fitzgerald who is giving ing Clyde McCullough a tough I for th the string first-string catchers catcher's job fob Eddie has clicked five fhe times in 12 I for a average a Manager Bill BillMeyer BillMeyer BillMeyer Meyer sa says s 's he thinks Eddie the most improved player on the club Wally Vay Westlake e who figures this js is the year he is going to fulfill fulfill fulfill ful ful- ful- ful fill his friends' friends high hopes has got gol eight in 20 for an even He has one home run and is es especially especially especially es- es proud of it It Il was the blow that clipped cUpped the world ch champion champion cham cham- m- m pion Cleveland Indians 2 And if Jf youre you're casting a handicappers handicapper's handi- handi i- i cappers capper eye over the Buc blasters you'd better take note of Les Fleming who has been the clubs club's big siege gun to date Stubby Les first sacker from Indianapolis has driven in 10 runs with an equal number of pokes Flemings Fleming's average Is only respectable but not sensational but only four of his blows have ha been singles His list includes four I doubles a triple and a homer And his socks have been the direct I cause of oC two Pirate wins In the grapefruit campaign |