Walt Dixon
Encyclopedia
Walter Edward Dixon was an American
pitcher
, outfielder
, first baseman
, coach
and manager
in minor league baseball
. He threw and batted right-handed, stood 6'1½" (187 cm) tall and weighed 185 pounds (84 kg). He was a native of Chatham County, North Carolina
.
Dixon attended the College of William and Mary
before signing with the Boston Red Sox
farm system in as a right-handed pitcher. Despite losing three seasons (1943-45) to military service during World War II
, Dixon progressed as far as the Scranton Red Sox
of the Class A Eastern League before his release by the Red Sox at the end of the campaign. When he returned to the game in he pitched for unaffiliated clubs in the mid-minors until he became predominantly an outfielder and first baseman in . That season — also his first as a manager — Dixon batted
.368 for the Shelby Farmers of the Class D Western Carolina League
. His best minor league season, however, would come in when, as the manager and first baseman of the Norton Braves of the Class D Mountain States League
, he led the loop in home runs (37) and hits
(194), while batting .415 and driving home 162 RBI. Incredibly, Dixon did not lead the MSL in RBI or batting, finishing behind Willie Kirkland
(164 RBI) and Leo "Muscle" Shoals (.427).
In , Dixon began a 20-year-long tenure with the Chicago Cubs
as a manager in their farm system. Apart from three separate stints in the Double A Texas League
, Dixon usually managed in the lower minor leagues. Dixon also served as a Cubs coach in 1964 and 1965 and scouted for the club.
He compiled a 27-year managing record of 1,484 wins and 1,521 defeats (.484). As a minor league hitter, however, Dixon's numbers were far more formidable: a career batting average of .324 in 1,237 games, with 1,273 hits and 208 home runs, even though he was a full-time position player for only 10½ seasons.
Dixon died in Florence, South Carolina
, at the age of 82.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
, coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. He threw and batted right-handed, stood 6'1½" (187 cm) tall and weighed 185 pounds (84 kg). He was a native of Chatham County, North Carolina
Chatham County, North Carolina
Chatham County is a county located in the Piedmont area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 49,329. Its county seat is Pittsboro.-History:...
.
Dixon attended the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
before signing with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
farm system in as a right-handed pitcher. Despite losing three seasons (1943-45) to military service during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Dixon progressed as far as the Scranton Red Sox
Scranton Red Sox
The Scranton Red Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. They played from 1939 to 1943 and from 1946 to 1951, and they played in the Eastern League.-Year-by-year record:...
of the Class A Eastern League before his release by the Red Sox at the end of the campaign. When he returned to the game in he pitched for unaffiliated clubs in the mid-minors until he became predominantly an outfielder and first baseman in . That season — also his first as a manager — Dixon batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.368 for the Shelby Farmers of the Class D Western Carolina League
Western Carolinas League
The Western Carolinas League was a Class D and a low Class A full-season league in American minor league baseball. The WCL changed its name prior to the 1980 season and has been known since as the South Atlantic League, a highly successful low Class A circuit with teams up the Eastern Seaboard...
. His best minor league season, however, would come in when, as the manager and first baseman of the Norton Braves of the Class D Mountain States League
Mountain States League
For the league that operated from 1937 to 1942, see Mountain State LeagueThe Mountain States League was a minor league baseball league which operated as a class D league in and . It was based in West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. Prior to that, it had been known as the Virginia Valley League.In...
, he led the loop in home runs (37) and hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
(194), while batting .415 and driving home 162 RBI. Incredibly, Dixon did not lead the MSL in RBI or batting, finishing behind Willie Kirkland
Willie Kirkland
Willie Charles Kirkland is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants , Cleveland Indians , Baltimore Orioles and Washington Senators...
(164 RBI) and Leo "Muscle" Shoals (.427).
In , Dixon began a 20-year-long tenure with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
as a manager in their farm system. Apart from three separate stints in the Double A Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
, Dixon usually managed in the lower minor leagues. Dixon also served as a Cubs coach in 1964 and 1965 and scouted for the club.
He compiled a 27-year managing record of 1,484 wins and 1,521 defeats (.484). As a minor league hitter, however, Dixon's numbers were far more formidable: a career batting average of .324 in 1,237 games, with 1,273 hits and 208 home runs, even though he was a full-time position player for only 10½ seasons.
Dixon died in Florence, South Carolina
Florence, South Carolina
-Municipal government and politics:The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits...
, at the age of 82.