The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-10-16
IA IS OFF TO
SHU I OU |
WONDER

Walter Johnson. who gets a Chal-
mers car because commission OF
newspaper mon declared his services
TO his team OF greater value than
those of any other player in the
American league. was not OF voting
age when he pitched his first game in
fast company. He was born in Hum
boldt. Kan, November s. 1887. and he
made his debut in the American
league August 2. 1907. Detroit being
the first team to get chance to bat
against the young phenom.
Johnson did not twist the Tigers
tail and neither did the Tigers claw
him so that he had to seek medical
aid. Johnson pitched eight innings
against them. limiting the jennings
ties to two runs and six hits. His
discoverer. Cliff Blankenship. batted
for him in the eighth and Tom Hughes
finished up the game. which was a
Detroit victory. score 3 to 2.
or the men who took part in the
game in which Johnson made his
Hughes. Sam Crawford and Ty Cobb
remain in fast company.
Though he lost his first game, john
son had the satisfaction of knowing
that his work had pleased Manager
Joe Cantillon. and Walter was imme-
diately considered one OF the regular
Washington pitchers and took his turn
in the box along with Tom Hughes.
Cy Falkenberg. Charley Smith and
Hank Gehring, since dead. Johnson.
in the fall OF 1907. was never once
hammered hard by any of his OPP
pOnents. and most OF the games he
dropped were by low scores. Going
up against the St Louis Browns for
the first time. he was returned a
loser, to 0. Barney Petty pitching
against him. The first time Johnson
twirled against the Athletics he
dropped his battle, to 2. Eddie Plank
opposing him.
AS a kalsominer Johnson Is in a
class by himself. No major league
pitcher ever kept his adversaries
away from the plate a times in his
first seven seasons. This Is john
sons achievement from 1907 to 1913,
inclusive. and In 1907 1t must be
with the Senators only one-third OF
the campaign.
STRONG ON STRIKEOUTS
Johnson has specialized in strike
outs as well as In shutouts- His
greatest year. for whiting men was
in 1910, when he claimed ais VIC
Tins in AZ full games. Last year,
In 368 innings, he struck out S03 men;
this year, in 324 innings, he has
famed 227 athletes. Johnson's best
achievement In strikeouts in nine
inning game took place on August 81,
1910. when he famed IA of the St
Louis Browns
This year he retired is of the
Planters In II rs innings, the date
he turned the trick being July rs,
On July IL. 1910, Johnson made IL
OF the Browns hit nothing but the
air in game that was only eight
innings long.
johnson never has been able tc
pitch a no hit game In fast company,
but he thrice has almost turned the
trick. In the opening game Of the
campaign OF 1910 he limited the Ath-
letics to one safety. made by ].
Franklin Baker, and that same sea-
son he confined the Browns to SIM
gle hit, poled BY Arthur Truesdale
On June 10 this year Detroit only was
able to obtain one hit or the man
whom the Chalmers trophy commits
sioners have named as the player
who did more for his team than any
one else.
Johnson has lost only seven games
this year. the men who have van
quished him being Ray Collins OF
Boston, twice leach time by the score
Of to o.; Bill Steen and vean Gregg
Of Cleveland and Joe Bush (twice).
and Carroll Brown Of the Athletics.