The Washington times., 1921-05-30


Rochester, N. Y. And it has been
else which has been bothering the
Johnson reported in good condition.
as always, last spring. He was
shaping up for q wonderful cam
paign when he went on that con-
founded transforming trip with the
Cincinnati Reds. Sleeping in Pull
mans lacking heat or suitable COW
erings the greatest pitcher In tie
history of the American League. X
not in all baseball. caught cold in
his pitching arm.
At nrst Johnson used the same
, simple remedies which usually re-
move such minor injuries. but In his
case no success was achieved. Never
theiess. he continued to take his
turn on the slab. pitching with mole
strain than ever before.
HE FINALLY STOPS.
johnson went along with greater
and greater difficulty until finally,
after hanging up that no-hit, no-run
game In Boston, the first in his
long career, he was forced to stop
pitching. He found himself able to
warm up but not able to pitch with
out suffering pain in his arm.
Being on the injured list was some.
thing new Tor johnson. He worried
over his condition and the night he
left Cleveland for Rochester to con.
fer with a specialist, he seemed very
downhearted. He seemed doubtful of
his ultimate return to form.
Following q long rest, during which
he went to- his home in Coffeyville,
Kan, johnson Joined the team at De-
troit He warmed up, showing all his
oldtime speed and control without the
slightest sign of pain. But Manager
Griffith refused to pitch him. prefer
ring to send him homo to enjoy q
winters rest before tackling tho real
job on the hill
This spring At Tampa johnson did
only light work. He has always been
more or less of q Judge Of his own
condition and Trainer Martin, besidas
watching him. paid no especial atten-
tior to him. Indeed, Martin was en-
thu1fastic over Johnson's easy action
in the daily drills At Plant Field.
PITCHED GREAT GAME.
Johnson pitched q wonderful game
against the Yankees in New York on
April %. holding the hard-hittine
Yanks to Ave hits and defeating Carl
Mays. to 3. He struck out seven
men. Bob Meusei waving twice before
his truly terrific speed. Those Of US
watching the veteran from the press
box were convinced that he had staged
his como back" successfully.
Later he climbed the hill In q dark.
drissly afternoon in Philadelphia
For eight innings ne was invinciblc.
holding the Mackmen to four scat
tered hits and one.r Ed Rommel,
too, was pitching hns ball, and tho
Griffs were leading. 3 to I, when John
son seemed to collapse under the
strain in the ninth and the Mackmen
tied the score. That's the way II
ended.
Tho cold. Indictment weather and the
moments spent sitting on the bench In
the damp dugout had done johnson no
GOOD. He did not again begin to re-
semble the johnson of April Is until
last Friday against the Red Sox. All
through the West on the recent trip ne
was soundly bumped by batsmen who
used to keep one foot in the, bucket
when facing him. 1t was pitifuL
HE WAS SLAUGHTERED.
johnson was slaughtered In Cleve- |
land. giving seven hits An two innings.
True. his support was rotten, taking
away the sting Of defeat, but he also
failed to impress his friends with his
power.
In Detrott on May Is the Detroit |
Tigers. who used to be pie for the big |
kansan, stepped into his stun and
spanked him for nine hits in four in |
n'ngs before q mob of $4,000 Sunday |
bugs. To make matters worse. his
control was wretched. fve passes and |
q hit batsman sbbing checked mp |
against him.
In st. Louis on May 20 he looked
better. losing a tough game. TO 4
to Dixie Davis largely through a bad
throw by Val Pici nich.
He relieved Ia. nary In Chicago on
May 10. pitching three innings. Two
hits and . run were made OK him.
hut the gaAo waa wen - The t1wo,