Difference between revisions of "Walter Johnson" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Infobox baseball player | name=Walter Johnson | image name=Walter_Johnson.jpg
 
{{Infobox baseball player | name=Walter Johnson | image name=Walter_Johnson.jpg
 +
| image caption=Walter Johnson
 
| birthdate= November 6, 1887  
 
| birthdate= November 6, 1887  
 
| birthplace= [[Humboldt, Kansas|Humboldt]], [[Kansas|KS]]
 
| birthplace= [[Humboldt, Kansas|Humboldt]], [[Kansas|KS]]
Line 15: Line 15:
 
| inductiondate=[[1936 in baseball|1936]]
 
| inductiondate=[[1936 in baseball|1936]]
 
| careerhighlights=<nowiki></nowiki>
 
| careerhighlights=<nowiki></nowiki>
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* 417 career wins (2nd all-time)
+
* 417 career wins (Second all-time)
−
* 110 career shutouts (1st all-time)
+
* 110 career shutouts (First all-time)
−
* 3509 career strikeouts (9th all-time)
+
* 3509 career strikeouts (Ninth all-time)
−
* Won MVP award in [[1913 in baseball|1913]] & [[1924 in baseball|1924]]
+
* Won MVP award in [[1913 in baseball|1913]] and [[1924 in baseball|1924]]
 
* Played in two [[World Series]] ([[1924 World Series|1924]] and [[1925 World Series|1925]])
 
* Played in two [[World Series]] ([[1924 World Series|1924]] and [[1925 World Series|1925]])
 
* An inaugural member of [[Baseball Hall of Fame]]
 
* An inaugural member of [[Baseball Hall of Fame]]
 
* Pitched 56 consecutive scoreless innings, a record that stood until [[1968 in baseball|1968]]
 
* Pitched 56 consecutive scoreless innings, a record that stood until [[1968 in baseball|1968]]
−
* He was named #60 on [[ESPN]]'s top 100 athletes of the century
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* He was named number 60 on [[ESPN]]'s top 100 athletes of the century
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}}
 
−
{{Infobox Cooperstown |
 
−
| Name= Walter Perry Johnson
 
−
| Nickname= The Big Train
 
−
| Team=[[Minnesota Twins|Washington Nationals/Senators]]
 
−
| No.=None
 
−
| Elg. Year=1936
 
−
| Ind. Year=1936
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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'''Walter Perry Johnson''' (November 6, 1887 &ndash; December 10, 1946), nicknamed '''"The Big Train"''', was an [[United States|American]] right-handed [[pitcher]] in [[Major League Baseball]] between 1907 and 1927. One of the most celebrated players in baseball history, he attained legendary status with his record achievements which remained unbroken for more than a half-century.
+
'''Walter Perry Johnson''' (November 6, 1887 &ndash; December 10, 1946), nicknamed '''"The Big Train,"''' was an [[United States|American]] right-handed [[pitcher]] in [[Major League Baseball]] between 1907 and 1927. One of the most celebrated players in baseball history, he attained legendary status with his record achievements which remained unbroken for more than a half-century.
  
−
A six-foot, one-inch right-hander with long arms, Johnson threw his fastball, thought to be the fastest in the game, with an easy sidearm motion. In 21 seasons with the Washington Senators (10 in the second division), Johnson won 417 games. Only Cy Young won more (and only Young and Pud Galvin lost more).
+
A six-foot, one-inch right-hander with long arms, Johnson threw his fastball, thought to be the fastest in the game, with a deceiving, sidearm motion. In 21 seasons with the [[Washington Senators]], Johnson won 417 games—only [[Cy Young]] won more.
  
−
Johnson excelled in all pitching categories, such as in 1914 when he led the AL in wins, games, starts, complete games, innings, strikeouts, and shutouts. He eventually amassed 110 shutouts, the most ever. His 38 1-0 wins are, by far, an all-time record. Among Johnson’s other accomplishments were 16 straight wins (1912); a string of 56 scoreless innings, and a 36-7 (1.09) mark in 1913; five wins, three of them shutouts, in nine days (1908); 66 triumphs over Detroit, the most for any AL pitcher against any one team; 200 victories in eight seasons, 300 in 14.  
+
Johnson excelled in all pitching categories, such as in 1914 when he led the [[American League]] in wins, games, starts, complete games, innings, strikeouts, and shutouts. He eventually amassed 110 shutouts, the most ever. His 38 1-0 wins are, by far, an all-time record. Among Johnson’s other accomplishments were 16 straight wins (1912); a string of 56 scoreless innings, and a 36-7 (1.09 earned run average) mark in 1913; five wins, three of them shutouts, in nine days (1908); 200 victories in eight seasons; 300 victories in 14 seasons.
 +
{{toc}}
 +
In addition to the remarkable talent Johnson demonstrated on the field, he was also known for his admirable character. Even in the most hotly contested games, he was mild, modest, decent, and friendly. The personification of the values that Americans respected, sportswriters of Johnson’s era referred to him as "Sir Walter" and the "White Knight."
  
−
Despite the remarkable talent Johnson demonstrated on the field, he was known for his admirable character. Even in the most hotly contested games, he was mild, modest, decent, and friendly. He was a personification of the values that Americans respected, which explains why the sportswriters of Johnson’s era referred to him as "Sir Walter" and the "White Knight."
+
When his exceptional career as a player ended, Johnson became a manager, first at Newark for a season, then at Washington, and finally at Cleveland. His .551 winning percentage was respectable, but Johnson was not considered aggressive enough to be a manager. He was among the select group admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame when it first opened.
−
 
 
−
When his exceptional career as a player ended, Johnson became a manager, first at Newark for a season, then at Washington (1929-32), and finally at Cleveland (1933-35). His .551 winning percentage was respectable, but Johnson was not considered aggressive enough to be a manager. But he was among the select group admitted to the Hall of Fame when it first opened.
 
  
 
==Early life==
 
==Early life==
−
Walter Johnson was born the second of six children to [[Swedish-Americans|Swedish emigrant]] parents on a rural farm four miles west of [[Humboldt, Kansas|Humboldt]], [[Kansas]].<ref>http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016600.html</ref> Before he reached his fourteenth birthday in 1901, his family moved to [[California]]'s [[Orange County, California|Orange County]], where he attended [[Fullerton High School, California|Fullerton High School]]. In July 1907, while he was working for the local telephone company and pitching for [[Weiser, Idaho]] in the semi-pro [[Idaho]] State League, Johnson was spotted by a talent scout and, at the age of nineteen, signed a contract with the Washington Nationals (later Washington Senators, now [[Minnesota Twins]]).
+
Walter Johnson was born on November 16, 1887, the second of six children to [[Swedish-Americans|Swedish emigrant]] parents on a rural farm four miles west of [[Humboldt, Kansas|Humboldt]], [[Kansas]]. Before he reached his fourteenth birthday in 1901, his family moved to [[California]]'s [[Orange County, California|Orange County]], where he attended [[Fullerton High School, California|Fullerton High School]]. In July 1907, while he was working for the local telephone company and pitching for [[Weiser, Idaho]] in the semi-pro [[Idaho]] State League, Johnson was spotted by a talent scout and, at the age of 19, signed a contract with the [[Washington Nationals]] (later Washington Senators, now [[Minnesota Twins]]).
  
 
==Baseball career==
 
==Baseball career==
 +
===Overpowering pitcher===
 +
Johnson won renown as the premier, power pitcher of his era. Although a lack of precision instruments prevented accurate measurement of his [[fastball]], Johnson may well have thrown over 100 miles–per–hour from a sidearm angle. Such power is exceptional even today, but it was unique in Johnson's day. 
  
−
Johnson won renown as the premier power pitcher of his era. Although a lack of precision instruments prevented accurate measurement of his [[fastball]], Johnson may well have thrown over 100 miles per hour from a sidearm angle.  This power is exceptional even today, but it was virtually unique in Johnson's day.
+
The overpowering fastball was the primary reason for Johnson's exceptional statistics, especially his fabled strikeout totals. Johnson's record total of 3,509 strikeouts stood for more than 55 years until [[Nolan Ryan]], [[Steve Carlton]], and [[Gaylord Perry]] (in that order) all surpassed it in [[1983 in baseball|1983]]. Johnson is now ninth on the all-time strikeout list, but his total must be understood in its proper context. Among his pre-[[World War II]] contemporaries, only two men were within a thousand strikeouts of Johnson: runner-up [[Cy Young]] with 2,803 (more than 800 behind) and [[Tim Keefe]] at 2,562. [[Bob Feller]], whose war-shortened career began in [[1936 in baseball|1936]], later ended up with 2,581.  
  
−
The overpowering fastball was the primary reason for Johnson's exceptional statistics, especially his fabled strikeout totals.  Johnson's record total of 3,509 strikeouts stood for more than 55 years until [[Nolan Ryan]], [[Steve Carlton]], and [[Gaylord Perry]] (in that order) all surpassed it in [[1983 in baseball|1983]].  Johnson is now 9th on the all-time strikeout list, but his total must be understood in its proper context.  Among his pre-[[World War II]] contemporaries, only two men were within a thousand strikeouts of Johnson: runner-up [[Cy Young]] with 2,803 (more than 800 behind) and [[Tim Keefe]] at 2,562. [[Bob Feller]], whose war-shortened career began in [[1936 in baseball|1936]], later ended up with 2,581.  
+
As a pitcher for the [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Nationals/Senators]], Walter Johnson won 417 games, [[Top 100 winning pitchers of all time|the second most by any pitcher in history]] (after [[Cy Young]], who won 511). He and Young are the only pitchers to have won 400 games or more.  
  
−
[[Image:Walter_Johnson_Baseball.jpg|left|thumb|'''Walter Johnson''' on a 1909-1911 [[American Tobacco Company]] [[baseball card]] (White Borders (T206)).]]
+
In a 21-year career, Johnson had 12 seasons with 20 wins or more, including ten seasons in a row. Twice, he topped 30 wins (33 in [[1912 in baseball|1912]] and 36 in [[1913 in baseball|1913]]). Johnson's record includes 110 shutouts, the most in baseball history. He had a 38-26 record in games decided by a 1-0 score; both his win total and his losses in these games are major league records. On September 4, 5, and 7, [[1908 in baseball|1908]], he shut out the [[New York Yankees]] in three consecutive games.
  
−
As a right-handed pitcher for the [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Nationals/Senators]], Walter Johnson won 417 games, [[Top 100 winning pitchers of all time|the second most by any pitcher in history]] (after [[Cy Young]], who won 511). He and Young are the only pitchers to have won 400 games or more.  
+
===Numerous awards===
 +
Johnson thrice won the [[Triple crown (baseball)|triple crown]] for pitchers (1913, [[1918 in baseball|1918]] and [[1924 in baseball|1924]]). The Triple Crown of pitching is "awarded" to the pitcher who leads—or ties—his league in three, major pitching areas: one, wins; two, strikeouts; and three, earned run average. All three of those categories must be led, or tied, at the end of the season in order to be part of a Triple Crown performance.  
  
−
In a 21-year career, Johnson had twelve 20-win seasons, including ten in a row. Twice he topped thirty wins (33 in [[1912 in baseball|1912]] and 36 in [[1913 in baseball|1913]]).  Johnson's record includes 110 shutouts, the most in baseball history. Johnson had a 38-26 record in games decided by a 1-0 score; both his win total and his losses in these games are major league records.  On September 4, 5 and 7, [[1908 in baseball|1908]], he shut out the [[New York Yankees]] in three consecutive games.  
+
Johnson twice won the [[American League]] [[Most Valuable Player]] Award (1913, 1924). This feat has been accomplished by only two other pitchers, [[Carl Hubbell]] in [[1933 in baseball|1933]] and 1936 and [[Hal Newhouser]] in [[1944 in baseball|1944]] and [[1945 in baseball|1945]]. His [[earned run average]] of 1.14 in 1913 was one of the lowest of all time, and indeed held the post-1901 record (not counting [[Mordecai Brown|Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown]]), though only for a year, as [[Dutch Leonard (left-handed pitcher)|Dutch Leonard]] would break the record the next year.
  
−
He thrice won the [[Triple crown (baseball)|triple crown]] for pitchers (1913, [[1918 in baseball|1918]] and [[1924 in baseball|1924]]). Johnson twice won the [[American League]] [[Most Valuable Player]] Award (1913, 1924). This feat has been accomplished by only two other pitchers, [[Carl Hubbell]] in [[1933 in baseball|1933]] and 1936 and [[Hal Newhouser]] in [[1944 in baseball|1944]] and [[1945 in baseball|1945]]. His [[earned run average]] of 1.14 in 1913 was one of the lowest of all time, and indeed held the post-1901 record (not counting [[Mordecai Brown|Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown]]), though only for a year, as [[Dutch Leonard (left-handed pitcher)|Dutch Leonard]] would break the record the next year.
+
That 1.14 ERA in 1913 would have been lower if not for one of manager [[Clark Griffith|Clark Griffith's]] traditions. For the last game of the season, Griffith often treated the fans to a farce game. Johnson actually played center field in that game until he was brought into pitch. He allowed two hits before he was taken out of the game. The next pitcher—who was normally a catcher—allowed both runners to score. Some record books still indicate that Johnson had a 1.09 ERA for 1913. The official scorekeeper ignored the game, but later, Johnson was charged with those two runs, raising his ERA.  
  
−
That 1.14 ERA in 1913 should have been lower if not for one of manager [[Clark Griffith|Clark Griffith's]] traditions. For the last game of the season, Griffith often treated the fans to a farce game.  Johnson actually played center field that game until he was brought into pitch. He allowed two hits before he was taken out of the game. The next pitcher - who was actually a career catcher - allowed both runners to score. Some record books still indicate that Johnson had a 1.09 ERA for 1913. The official scorekeeper ignored the game, but later, Johnson was charged with those two runs, raising his ERA.  
+
Although he usually pitched for losing teams during his career, Johnson led the Washington Nationals/Senators to two [[World Series]], in 1924 and 1925. The team split the series, and in 1924 it was Johnson who clinched the victory in the the final, 12-inning game.
  
−
Although he usually pitched for losing teams during his career, Johnson led the [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Nationals/Senators]] to two [[World Series]], a victory in 1924 (including the final, 12-inning game) and a loss in [[1925 in baseball|1925]].
+
Johnson was a better than average hitter for a pitcher, compiling a career [[batting average]] of .235, including a record .433 average in 1925. He also made 13 appearances in the [[outfield]] during his career. He hit over .200 in 13 of his 21 seasons, and actually hit 12 [[double (baseball)|doubles]] and a [[triple (baseball)|triple]] in 130 at-bats in 1917. In a season where Johnson had 28 wins, he also had more home runs in 1914 than [[Ty Cobb]], [[Honus Wagner]], or [[Napoleon Lajoie]], all [[Baseball Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] hitters.
  
−
Johnson was a better-than-average hitter for a pitcher, compiling a career [[batting average]] of .235, including a record .433 average in 1925. He also made 13 appearances in the [[outfield]] during his career. He hit over .200 in 13 of his 21 seasons as a hitter, and actually hit 12 [[double (baseball)|doubles]] and a [[triple (baseball)|triple]] in 130 at bats in 1917. In a season where Johnson had 28 wins, he also had more home runs than [[Ty Cobb]], [[Honus Wagner]] or [[Napoleon Lajoie]] all [[Baseball Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] hitters.
+
===Manager, Hall of Fame===
 +
In [[1928 in baseball|1928]], Johnson began his career as a [[manager (baseball)|manager]] in the [[minor league baseball|minor leagues]], taking up residence at 32 Maple Terrace, [[Millburn Township, New Jersey|Millburn, New Jersey]], and managing the [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] team of the [[International League]]. He continued on to the major leagues, managing the [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Nationals/Senators]] ([[1929 in baseball|1929]]-[[1932 in baseball|1932]]), and finally the [[Cleveland Indians]] ([[1933 in baseball|1933]]-[[1935 in baseball|1935]]). Johnson also served as a radio announcer for the Senators during the [[1939 in baseball|1939]] season.
  
−
In [[1928 in baseball|1928]], he began his career as a [[manager (baseball)|manager]] in the [[minor league baseball|minor leagues]], taking up residence at 32 Maple Terrace, [[Millburn Township, New Jersey|Millburn, New Jersey]], and managing the [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] team of the [[International League]]. He continued on to the major leagues, managing the [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Nationals/Senators]] ([[1929 in baseball|1929]]-[[1932 in baseball|1932]]), and finally the [[Cleveland Indians]] ([[1933 in baseball|1933]]-[[1935 in baseball|1935]]).  Johnson also served as a radio announcer for the Senators during the [[1939 in baseball|1939]] season.
+
One of the first five players elected to the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] in [[Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 1936|1936]], Johnson retired to [[Germantown, Maryland]] and was elected [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]] commissioner in 1938. In 1940, he received the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nomination for [[Congress of the United States|U.S. Congress]] from [[Maryland's sixth congressional district]], subsequently losing to [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[William D. Byron]] by a 60,037 to 52,258 vote margin.
  
−
One of the first five players elected to the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] in [[Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 1936|1936]], Walter Johnson retired to [[Germantown, Maryland]] and was elected [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]] commissioner in 1938. In 1940 he received the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nomination for [[Congress of the United States|U.S. Congress]] from [[Maryland's 6th congressional district]], subsequently losing to [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[William D. Byron]] by a 60,037 to 52,258 vote margin.  
+
===Final years===
 +
In the remaining six years of his life, Walter Johnson gave his full efforts to patriotic public appearances at [[War bond#World War II|war bond]] rallies. He died of a [[brain tumor]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] on December 10, 1946, five weeks after his fifty-ninth birthday, and was interred in [[Rockville, Maryland]]'s [[Rockville Union Cemetery]].
  
−
In the remaining six years of his life, Walter Johnson gave his full efforts to patriotic public appearances at [[War bond#World War II|war bond]] rallies. He died of a [[brain tumor]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], five weeks after his 59th birthday, and was interred in [[Rockville, Maryland]]'s [[Rockville Union Cemetery]].
+
==Legacy==
−
 
 
−
==Additional facts and details==
 
 
[[Walter Johnson High School]] in [[Bethesda, Maryland]] has been named for him. The monument to him that once stood outside [[Griffith Stadium]] has been moved to the school's campus.
 
[[Walter Johnson High School]] in [[Bethesda, Maryland]] has been named for him. The monument to him that once stood outside [[Griffith Stadium]] has been moved to the school's campus.
  
−
He was also called "Sir Walter" and "the White Knight" because of his gentlemanly gamesmanship, and "Old Barney" later in his career. In [[1985 in music|1985]], the rock musician [[Jonathan Richman]] recorded a song entitled "Walter Johnson" that celebrated Johnson's kindness.
+
He earned the nicknames of "Sir Walter" and "the White Knight" because of his gentlemanly gamesmanship. In [[1985 in music|1985]], the rock musician [[Jonathan Richman]] recorded a song entitled "Walter Johnson" that celebrated Johnson's kindness.
  
−
In [[1999 in baseball|1999]], he ranked number 4 on ''[[The Sporting News]]''' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, the highest-ranked pitcher. Later that year, he was elected to the [[Major League Baseball All-Century Team]].   
+
In [[1999 in baseball|1999]], he ranked number four on ''[[The Sporting News]]''' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, the highest-ranked pitcher. Later that year, he was elected to the [[Major League Baseball All-Century Team]].   
  
−
Johnson's gentle nature was legendary, and to this day he is held up as an example of good sportsmanship while his name has become synonymous with friendly competition. This attribute worked to Johnson's disadvantage in the case of fellow Hall of Famer [[Ty Cobb]]. Virtually all batters were concerned about being hit by Johnson's fastball, and many would not "dig in" at the plate because of that concern. Cobb realized that the good-hearted Johnson was privately nervous about the possibility of seriously injuring a batsman. Almost alone among his peers, Cobb would actually stand closer to the plate than usual when facing Johnson. 
+
Johnson's gentle nature was legendary, and to this day he is held up as an example of good sportsmanship while his name has become synonymous with friendly competition.
  
−
Johnson's rookie season was Cobb's third, and Johnson retired one year before Cobb. Cobb faced Johnson at bat more times in their overlapping careers than any other hitter-pitcher combination in major league history.
+
Johnson was immortalized in the poem "Lineup for Yesterday," by [[Ogden Nash]], thus:
−
 
 
−
Johnson was immortalized in the poem "Lineup for Yesterday, by [[Ogden Nash]], thus:
 
  
 
J is for Johnson. <br/>
 
J is for Johnson. <br/>
Line 89: Line 82:
 
So fast he could throw <br/>
 
So fast he could throw <br/>
 
Three strikes at a time. <br/>
 
Three strikes at a time. <br/>
−
 
  
 
==Statistics==
 
==Statistics==
 
'''[[Baseball statistics|Career Statistics]]:'''<br />
 
'''[[Baseball statistics|Career Statistics]]:'''<br />
 +
 +
''Pitching''
 +
{| cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 border=1 width=400
 +
|- align=center
 +
| [[Win (baseball)|W]]
 +
| [[Loss (baseball)|L]]
 +
| [[Win (baseball)|WP]]
 +
| [[Games pitched|GP]]
 +
| [[Games started|GS]]
 +
| [[Complete game|CG]]
 +
| [[Shutout|Sh]]
 +
| [[Save (sport)|SV]]
 +
| [[Innings pitched|IP]]
 +
| [[Base on balls|BB]]
 +
| [[Strikeout|SO]]
 +
| [[Earned run average|ERA]]
 +
| [[Walks plus hits per inning pitched|WHIP]]
 +
|- align=center
 +
| 417
 +
| 279
 +
| .599
 +
| 802
 +
| 666
 +
| 531
 +
| 110
 +
| 34
 +
| 5,914.1
 +
| 1,363
 +
| 3,509
 +
| 2.17
 +
| 1.06
 +
|}
 +
 
''Hitting''
 
''Hitting''
 
{| cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 border=1 width=400
 
{| cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 border=1 width=400
Line 125: Line 150:
 
| .342
 
| .342
 
| 0.608
 
| 0.608
−
|}
 
−
''Pitching''
 
−
{| cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 border=1 width=400
 
−
|- align=center
 
−
| [[Win (baseball)|W]]
 
−
| [[Loss (baseball)|L]]
 
−
| [[Win (baseball)|WP]]
 
−
| [[Games pitched|GP]]
 
−
| [[Games started|GS]]
 
−
| [[Complete game|CG]]
 
−
| [[Shutout|Sh]]
 
−
| [[Save (sport)|SV]]
 
−
| [[Innings pitched|IP]]
 
−
| [[Base on balls|BB]]
 
−
| [[Strikeout|SO]]
 
−
| [[Earned run average|ERA]]
 
−
| [[Walks plus hits per inning pitched|WHIP]]
 
−
|- align=center
 
−
| 417
 
−
| 279
 
−
| .599
 
−
| 802
 
−
| 666
 
−
| 531
 
−
| 110
 
−
| 34
 
−
| 5,914.1
 
−
| 1,363
 
−
| 3,509
 
−
| 2.17
 
−
| 1.06
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
*Thomas, Henry W. ''Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train'', Phenom Press, 1995. ISBN 0964543907
+
*Kavanagh, Jack. ''Walter Johnson: A Life''. Diamond Communications, 1997. ISBN 9780912083940
−
*Povich, Shirley, & Thomas, Henry. ''Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train'', Bison Books, 1998. ISBN 978-0803294332
+
*Thomas, Henry W. ''Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train''. Phenom Press, 1995. ISBN 0964543907
−
*Kavanagh, Jack. ''Walter Johnson: A Life'', Diamond Communications, 1997. ISBN 978-0912083940
+
*Thomas, Henry, and Povich, Shirley. ''Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train''. Bison Books, 1998. ISBN 9780803294332
−
*Treat, Robert S. ''Walter Johnson: King of the Pitchers'', Julian Messner, 1961. ASIN B000NZ5LAQ
+
*Treat, Robert S. ''Walter Johnson: King of the Pitchers''. Julian Messner, 1961. ASIN B000NZ5LAQ
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
*[http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/johnson_walter.htm Baseball Hall of Fame]
+
All links retrieved May 3, 2023.
−
*[http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/J/Johnson_Walter.stm BaseballLibrary]
 
−
*[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=2453 Find-A-Grave]
 
  
 +
*[http://baseballhall.org/hof/johnson-walter Baseball Hall of Fame]
 +
*[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=2453 Find-A-Grave]
  
 +
{{Credit|133119511}}
  
−
[[Category:history and biography]]
+
[[Category:History]]
−
{{Credit|133119511}}
 

Latest revision as of 22:27, 3 May 2023

Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson
Personal Info
Birth November 6, 1887, Humboldt, KS
Death: December 10 1946, Washington, D.C.
Professional Career
Debut August 2 1907, Washington Nationals
Team(s) Washington Nationals/Senators (1907-1927)
HOF induction: 1936
Career Highlights
  • 417 career wins (Second all-time)
  • 110 career shutouts (First all-time)
  • 3509 career strikeouts (Ninth all-time)
  • Won MVP award in 1913 and 1924
  • Played in two World Series (1924 and 1925)
  • An inaugural member of Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Pitched 56 consecutive scoreless innings, a record that stood until 1968
  • He was named number 60 on ESPN's top 100 athletes of the century


Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946), nicknamed "The Big Train," was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball between 1907 and 1927. One of the most celebrated players in baseball history, he attained legendary status with his record achievements which remained unbroken for more than a half-century.

A six-foot, one-inch right-hander with long arms, Johnson threw his fastball, thought to be the fastest in the game, with a deceiving, sidearm motion. In 21 seasons with the Washington Senators, Johnson won 417 games—only Cy Young won more.

Johnson excelled in all pitching categories, such as in 1914 when he led the American League in wins, games, starts, complete games, innings, strikeouts, and shutouts. He eventually amassed 110 shutouts, the most ever. His 38 1-0 wins are, by far, an all-time record. Among Johnson’s other accomplishments were 16 straight wins (1912); a string of 56 scoreless innings, and a 36-7 (1.09 earned run average) mark in 1913; five wins, three of them shutouts, in nine days (1908); 200 victories in eight seasons; 300 victories in 14 seasons.

In addition to the remarkable talent Johnson demonstrated on the field, he was also known for his admirable character. Even in the most hotly contested games, he was mild, modest, decent, and friendly. The personification of the values that Americans respected, sportswriters of Johnson’s era referred to him as "Sir Walter" and the "White Knight."

When his exceptional career as a player ended, Johnson became a manager, first at Newark for a season, then at Washington, and finally at Cleveland. His .551 winning percentage was respectable, but Johnson was not considered aggressive enough to be a manager. He was among the select group admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame when it first opened.

Early life

Walter Johnson was born on November 16, 1887, the second of six children to Swedish emigrant parents on a rural farm four miles west of Humboldt, Kansas. Before he reached his fourteenth birthday in 1901, his family moved to California's Orange County, where he attended Fullerton High School. In July 1907, while he was working for the local telephone company and pitching for Weiser, Idaho in the semi-pro Idaho State League, Johnson was spotted by a talent scout and, at the age of 19, signed a contract with the Washington Nationals (later Washington Senators, now Minnesota Twins).

Baseball career

Overpowering pitcher

Johnson won renown as the premier, power pitcher of his era. Although a lack of precision instruments prevented accurate measurement of his fastball, Johnson may well have thrown over 100 miles–per–hour from a sidearm angle. Such power is exceptional even today, but it was unique in Johnson's day.

The overpowering fastball was the primary reason for Johnson's exceptional statistics, especially his fabled strikeout totals. Johnson's record total of 3,509 strikeouts stood for more than 55 years until Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton, and Gaylord Perry (in that order) all surpassed it in 1983. Johnson is now ninth on the all-time strikeout list, but his total must be understood in its proper context. Among his pre-World War II contemporaries, only two men were within a thousand strikeouts of Johnson: runner-up Cy Young with 2,803 (more than 800 behind) and Tim Keefe at 2,562. Bob Feller, whose war-shortened career began in 1936, later ended up with 2,581.

As a pitcher for the Washington Nationals/Senators, Walter Johnson won 417 games, the second most by any pitcher in history (after Cy Young, who won 511). He and Young are the only pitchers to have won 400 games or more.

In a 21-year career, Johnson had 12 seasons with 20 wins or more, including ten seasons in a row. Twice, he topped 30 wins (33 in 1912 and 36 in 1913). Johnson's record includes 110 shutouts, the most in baseball history. He had a 38-26 record in games decided by a 1-0 score; both his win total and his losses in these games are major league records. On September 4, 5, and 7, 1908, he shut out the New York Yankees in three consecutive games.

Numerous awards

Johnson thrice won the triple crown for pitchers (1913, 1918 and 1924). The Triple Crown of pitching is "awarded" to the pitcher who leads—or ties—his league in three, major pitching areas: one, wins; two, strikeouts; and three, earned run average. All three of those categories must be led, or tied, at the end of the season in order to be part of a Triple Crown performance.

Johnson twice won the American League Most Valuable Player Award (1913, 1924). This feat has been accomplished by only two other pitchers, Carl Hubbell in 1933 and 1936 and Hal Newhouser in 1944 and 1945. His earned run average of 1.14 in 1913 was one of the lowest of all time, and indeed held the post-1901 record (not counting Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown), though only for a year, as Dutch Leonard would break the record the next year.

That 1.14 ERA in 1913 would have been lower if not for one of manager Clark Griffith's traditions. For the last game of the season, Griffith often treated the fans to a farce game. Johnson actually played center field in that game until he was brought into pitch. He allowed two hits before he was taken out of the game. The next pitcher—who was normally a catcher—allowed both runners to score. Some record books still indicate that Johnson had a 1.09 ERA for 1913. The official scorekeeper ignored the game, but later, Johnson was charged with those two runs, raising his ERA.

Although he usually pitched for losing teams during his career, Johnson led the Washington Nationals/Senators to two World Series, in 1924 and 1925. The team split the series, and in 1924 it was Johnson who clinched the victory in the the final, 12-inning game.

Johnson was a better than average hitter for a pitcher, compiling a career batting average of .235, including a record .433 average in 1925. He also made 13 appearances in the outfield during his career. He hit over .200 in 13 of his 21 seasons, and actually hit 12 doubles and a triple in 130 at-bats in 1917. In a season where Johnson had 28 wins, he also had more home runs in 1914 than Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, or Napoleon Lajoie, all Hall of Fame hitters.

Manager, Hall of Fame

In 1928, Johnson began his career as a manager in the minor leagues, taking up residence at 32 Maple Terrace, Millburn, New Jersey, and managing the Newark team of the International League. He continued on to the major leagues, managing the Washington Nationals/Senators (1929-1932), and finally the Cleveland Indians (1933-1935). Johnson also served as a radio announcer for the Senators during the 1939 season.

One of the first five players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, Johnson retired to Germantown, Maryland and was elected Montgomery County commissioner in 1938. In 1940, he received the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress from Maryland's sixth congressional district, subsequently losing to Democrat William D. Byron by a 60,037 to 52,258 vote margin.

Final years

In the remaining six years of his life, Walter Johnson gave his full efforts to patriotic public appearances at war bond rallies. He died of a brain tumor in Washington, D.C. on December 10, 1946, five weeks after his fifty-ninth birthday, and was interred in Rockville, Maryland's Rockville Union Cemetery.

Legacy

Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Maryland has been named for him. The monument to him that once stood outside Griffith Stadium has been moved to the school's campus.

He earned the nicknames of "Sir Walter" and "the White Knight" because of his gentlemanly gamesmanship. In 1985, the rock musician Jonathan Richman recorded a song entitled "Walter Johnson" that celebrated Johnson's kindness.

In 1999, he ranked number four on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, the highest-ranked pitcher. Later that year, he was elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

Johnson's gentle nature was legendary, and to this day he is held up as an example of good sportsmanship while his name has become synonymous with friendly competition.

Johnson was immortalized in the poem "Lineup for Yesterday," by Ogden Nash, thus:

J is for Johnson.
The Big Train in his prime,
So fast he could throw
Three strikes at a time.

Statistics

Career Statistics:

Pitching

W L WP GP GS CG Sh SV IP BB SO ERA WHIP
417 279 .599 802 666 531 110 34 5,914.1 1,363 3,509 2.17 1.06

Hitting

G AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS
933 2,324 547 94 41 24 241 255 110 251 .235 .266 .342 0.608

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Kavanagh, Jack. Walter Johnson: A Life. Diamond Communications, 1997. ISBN 9780912083940
  • Thomas, Henry W. Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train. Phenom Press, 1995. ISBN 0964543907
  • Thomas, Henry, and Povich, Shirley. Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train. Bison Books, 1998. ISBN 9780803294332
  • Treat, Robert S. Walter Johnson: King of the Pitchers. Julian Messner, 1961. ASIN B000NZ5LAQ

External links

All links retrieved May 3, 2023.

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