Norwich bulletin., 1911-05-24
WALTER JoHNsea FOR s12.
Pittsburg Once Refused Washington's
 Great TwirIer for Insiqnificant Sum.

HOW D1uC1 am l D4Q IOT the services of this Dither, gentlemen. the premier twirler of the American league-Vsal- ter Johnson2" Twelve dollars piped a small .roIce from off in the corner. "Gentlemen, gentlemen No undue lev ity, beg of you. This pitcher is rec ogniZed as star, the finest pitcher in the American league, and perhaps in all baseball. He is king among pitch ers-but perhaps, my dear, sir, you meant $12,000? An, yes, That's more like the figure. Thank you. sir. We vjll start the bidding on this wonder ful diamond expert at 12,000. Twelve thousan'. 12 thousans, at 12, f2,'' etc.
 Of course this did not actually hap pen, but when the news was flashed around the country few days ago that Walter Johnson had been unable to come to terms with the Washing ton club several magnateS undoubtedly strained their imaginationS picturing such a scene, and would have been ready to. take the fastest trains from all sections of the major league cir cult to be among those present. had Johnsons services been put on the market.
 But the strangest part of the story is that had a certain club expended SIP would not have made the Washington club famous. and baseball history would undoubtedly have been ch1nged. The club was Pittsburg, and if Man ager Fred Clarke is every tempted to heave a sigh over what might have been," he has only himself to blame and the proverbia1 careiessness that comes to all managers of big clubs in the matter of tips on future greats
 Late in March, 1907, the Pirates Thence came one Mcclure, recently appointed an umpire in the Idaho state league, and feeling timorous over the responsibilities soon to be thrust up- on him. So timorous was he that he boarded the rattler from his home in Idaho for an interview with the mighty manager Clarke, from whom he sought to drink wisdom as to um- piricaI duties, rules, and other little data pertaining to the life of an um- pire. He came, he saw the great man, and in awe prohered his request for information
 Now. Manag ger Fred is no grouch. put 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 solne of his protegas to spare even few moments for the discussion of purely umpirical matters. However, he knew a gentleman who would fill the bill as well as he: would he please call to see George L. Moraland who was travelling with the club. MT. Mcclure would, and did
 Mir MoreIand gave the required in formation and after a seance lasting into the early hours of the morning, when Umpire MCGuire believed that he had been coached up to the requTed point to handle any game that could be played in the state of Idaho, on part ing he said that in appreciation he would like to give a tip on player III his part Of the country-a pl, -her9Whe would be heard from sooner or later Walter Johnson by name. He's going ,o1-- T,C1 1i5.a c7Ia ay,aIx firmed. Such speed I 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, 8 club o1 that sort and with such a manager he would soon reach the height of fame, l am confident He is free agent and has told me that he will go to any good club for mere expenses, which will be SIP 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"
 The next afternoon MT. Moreland,. who is now president of the Ohio and Pennsylvania league. by the way, sought Fred Clarke and so strongly was he impressed with the sincerity of Umpire Mcclure that he urged him c send for Johnson to look him over. Tt will only cost S12, and what's that with the chance of picking up good pitcher?" Mr. Moreland said.
 Fred made a note Of the name ana address and said that he would at tend to the matter, apparently willing ing to take a chance for such small figure But other apparently more inn portant matters pressed in rounding the team into shape and in fitting from one town to another for the se- ries of exhibition games that began two or three days later. At any rate, nothing more was said about John son nor heard of him until some months later.
 In July of that year the Associated Press despatches carried the line: "The Washington american league club has signed a pitcher from the Idaho State league, named Walter Johnson'' That afternoon MT. More land approached Manager Fred Clarke and asked Fred, what was the name of that Idaho pitcher we got the tip on last March? Seems to me it was Johnson
 Clarke took out his little note book and rapidly turning back the pages, found the memorandum: Walter Johnson, pitcher Idaho state league, Weiser Will come on trial for ex- penses about SIP" Bless my soul, forgot all about that man., said Fred. Yes I see Washington has signed him. said Moreland
 And that's how Pittspurs failed to get the services of the today great Walter Johnson, because it did not +aI~ o5Y hi