The Washington herald., 1912-12-31
Nationals Great Twirler Dig
ging Fence Post Holes on
Farm to Keep in Shape.
ALWAYS IN CONDITION
As Long as Walter Is with Us the
Local Club Will Have Chance
at the Title.
By WILLIAM PEET.


his own. Walter johnson. of the Ma
tionals, the greatest pitcher in the world,
spends his time during the of season
performing the simple duties which go to
make up the life of a farmer.
Writing to a friend in Washington.
Johnson states that the most violent eX-
crcise he has taken since the season
closed was digging holes and putting up
fence posts, and that for recreation
spin in his automobile helps round out
the day.
Just as Johnson has made a success or
baseball is he forging to the front as
farmer Walters crops, his poultry rals-
ing. and the like. during the past year,
have yielded handsome profits, all due TO
the fact that the great pitcher himself is
commander-in-chief of the farm. john
sons money, earned by playing baseball
bought the land in Kansas, and Walter
himself is running the place according 10
his own ideas.
Ask the officials Of the washington
baseball club if they think johnson mas
good head for business If memory serves
it was two years ago this coming March
when he held out for 2 certain sum, anu
refusing to sign for a smaller amount
was sent home by Jim McAleer VINO later
compromised and the big twtrler reJolneo
the club. ,.
So much has been written of waiter
Johnson, his habits, hobbies, and milo
eccentricities that there is little 10 oe
added Walter is easily the most popular
hall plaver in the American League
among fans and players alike. His whole
theory in life is to make a success vi
everything he undertakes and not 10 lose
friends.
Johnson does not drink, for the reason
that he never had any desire for inlo&'-
eating liquors. Once in a whlle ne
smokes A mild cigar. On out-ot-to"n
rims and likewise when the Nationals
are at home he is always IN bed ny IL
o'clock. A model athlete if ever there
was one.
When asked one day what he expects
to do when he was too old to play pase-
ball Johnson replied: when mat tiine
comes 1 expect to have saved ehoush
money to entitIe me to life membership
in the I-should-not-worry club.
Il spend my winters" she once re-
marked Giving the simple life in the
open air as much as I can. Baseball Is
A business for me When report in the
spring l propose to be ready TO take my
turn in the box when the season opens.
The club pays me good salary ana IN
return I give them the best I've got all
the time"
johnson must have smiled when he
read that news dispatch from the Coast
that Arthur Shafer, Of the New York
Giants had decided to quit baseball for
the reason that he got SO many perfumed
notes.
The writer is violating no condolences
in saying that Walter Johnson receives
countless notes from the fair sex during
a season. mostly when the ball club Is
on the road. Some fanette has seen him
pitch and drops him a line, wanting him
to meet her, or perhaps just telling him
how nice he looks in a uniform
johnson knows he sets off uniform
well, and also that if he accepted. every
invitation extended by fans and fan
cites he would have to break his IRON
clad rule of early to bed" consequently
each pcrfumed note is carefully read,
and the pitcher smiles as he tears up
the misslVe. losses it into the waste
paper basket with the remark to him
self: Perhaps if she NETS me and saw
what dull chap 1 am she would change
her opinion
The foregoing is not intended as the
first installment of a biography of Wal
ter johnson, but the writer believes that
local fans are always glad to read about
their idol, even though il be only stove
league chatter.
Johnson will continue to spend his of
seasons on his farm, digging fence holes
and improving his land. just as he is do
ing this winter, until the time comes for
him to retire from the glare of the dia-
mond. He will always demand and be
paid a high salary, and will earn it by
conscientious work.
No manager ever need worry about
Walter Johnson not reporting in good
condition, and as long as johnson is a
member of the Washington club there
will always be a chance for the Ma
tionals TO win the American League
remnant.