The Washington herald., 1911-04-23
FRED CLARKE PASSED
CHANGE TO SIGN PITCHER
WALTER JOHNSON FOR $12'
Present Premier Twirler Was Then Obscure Player
in Idaho State League-Tip Comes in Graft
tude from Umpire

How much am bid for the services
OF this pitcher. gentlemen, the premier
twirler OF the American league-Walter
Johnson?
Twelve dollars" piped a small voice
from off In the corner.
Gentlemen, gentlemen. No I'M
due levity. beg of you. This pitcher is
recognized as ? star. the finest pitcher
in the American League. and perhaps In
all baseball. He is a king among pitch
ers-but perhaps, my dear sir. you meant
$1,000? All. yes, That's more like the
figure Thank you, sir. We will start
the bidding on this wonderful diamond
expert at $1,000. Twelve thousan. twelve
thousan'. at twelve. twelve" &c.
OF course this did not actually happen,
but when the news was flashed around
the country few days ago that Walter
Johnson had been unable TO come TO
terms with the Washington Club. several
magnates undoubtedly strained their
msginations picturing such scene. and
would have been ready to take the fast
est trains from all sections of the major
league circuits to be among those pres
ent" had Johnson's services been put on
the market.
Pittsburg Lost Him.
But the strangest part of the story Is
that had a certain club expended sl2
once upon n time. Walter johnson would
not have made the Washington Club
famous and baseball history would IN
doubtedly have been changed. The club
was Pittsburg, and IL Manager Fred
Clarke is ever tempted to heave a sigh
over what might have BEEN" he has
only himself to blame-and the pro-
verbal carelessness that comes to all man
ayers of big clubs in the matter OF tips"
on future greats.
Late in March. 1901. ~ Pirates were
training at Hot Springs. Ark. Thence
came one Mcclure. recently appointed an
umpire in the Idaho State League and
feeling timorous over the responsibilities
soon to be thrust upon him. So timorous
was he that he boarded the RATHER from
his home in Idaho for an interview with
the mighty manager Clarke, from whom
he sought TO drink wisdom as to UNI
pirical duties, rules, and other little data
pertaining to the life of an umpire. He
came, he saw the great man, and In
awe proffered his request for informa-
ton.
Fred Had Troubles.
Now. Manager Fred is no crouch. but
he had troubles of his own. and very
politely advised the prospective umpire
that his hands and mind were too full
of trying TO put real baseball into some
of his proteges to spare even a few mo-
ments for the discussion of purely UNI
pirical matters. However, he knew a
gentleman who would fill the bill as
we'll as he; would he please call to see
Mr.. George L. Moreland. who was travel
ing with the club. Mr.. MCGUIRE would
and did.
Mr.. Moreland gave the required infor
nation. and after a seance lasting into
the early hours OF the morning. when
Umpire MCGUIRE believed that he had
been coached up to the required point TO
handle any game that could be played
in the State OF Idaho, on parting he said
that in appreciation he would like to give
a tip on a player In his part of the coun-
try-a pitcher who would be heard from
sooner or later-walter Johnson. by name.
He's going to make a star MCGUIRE
solemnly affirmed Such speed 1 never
saw, and no batter in our part of the
country can find him. I'd like to see him
with the Pittsburg club. for with club
of that sort and with such a manager,
he would soon reach the height of fame.
l am confident. He is a free agent. and
has told me that he will go to any good
club for mere expenses, which. will be sl2
from where he lives down here. This is
a rare chance, and the club that gets
Walter Johnson will get a prize in the
baseball lottery"
Advised q Trial.
The next afternoon Mr.. Moreland, who
is now president OF the Ohio and Penn
sylvania League, by the way, sought
Fred Clarke and so strongly was he i'm
pressed with the sincerity of Umpire
Mcclure, that he urged him to send for
johnson to look him over. TT will only
cost s12, and what's that with the chance