Evening star., 1924-11-19


Few champions have surrendered
their crowns until they became sadly
askew from the solid wallops of some
young and peStiferous opponent. Ana
nearly all of them have waited until
they no longer could meet the issue
before they We're willing to make
their exit from the arena.
Walter Johnson came to Washing
ton Is years ago, and today. having
finished one OF his greatest years,
winding up with world series VIC
tory that thrilled the Nation. he has
taken his mighty arm voluntarily
from the ranks of American League
players where il has been dread
for all of those seasons.
stu at Top of Heap.
There was no question of his apii-
ity to stand the strain for several
years. and, there was no question OF
his title to salary of bank president
proportions. Rather. Johnson, with
a long ambition fulfilied-that or a
triumph in a world series for WASH
ington-chosc the life of q club own
er in the minor leagues instead OF the
difficult rule OF d hero in the majors.
Tho departure of Johnson from
Washington means the passing or an
Institution and tradition. Just as
the White House or the Washington
Monument are first thought of in the
mention of the Capital City, so John
son has been linked up with the base
ball fortunes of the town. NOBODY
thinks of the Washington Club with
out thinking of Johnson, and TOT
wears great deal of its patronage
has been due to desire of persons
to see him.
In all OF his years in the American
League, johnson worked only with
the Washington Club, and through
lean seasons and the very few rat
ones, he has been the towering main-
stay which has more often than not
kept Washington from the greatest
baseball degradation-that Of a Gel
lar champion.
Matter Conquered Mind.
When johnson came to Washing
ton, a raw youth of 30, he proceeded
to show the triumph, for the time
being at least. OF matter over mind.
No strategy. science, deep -thinklng
or other facilities ordinarily reputed
TO be available to the successful big
Lacquer bothered him. He had a
mighty whip and he turned 1t loose.
The saying became general in the
American League that you can't hit
what you can't see.'' and the big
Train" as he became known, thunder
ed along his merry way.
In later years, discretion gaining
4 hand in his methods. he became
what is known as d smart pitcher"
using variety of curves, a change
of pace, and other devices brought
into play to save the iron arm. But,
for all that, he retained to the last
the binding speed, or at least the
greater part of it. which had been
his big asset, and he demonstrated
this conclusively in his last game in
the worlds series.
Washington people only today real
lied that Johnsons passing had
robbed the city of an idol and an as
set in the base ball world. There
had been reports, taken more or less
seriously that he would retire to
the less strenuous life offered him on
,hc coast. but ii required the final
consummation of his plans to bring
the situation home to them.
Search for Successor Is on.
Some of the most rabid fans who
frequent the Georgia avenue park OF
Clark Griffith were babies in arms when
johnson pitched first here, and to these
johnson had become a matter of fact,
guaranteed to win 20s or more
games, regardless of the strength
Of the club behind him. They are
now looking vainly for some one to
take his job.
TO the small boy the situation has
developed into tragedy. Johnson
and his family, including two little
boys, were popular in their neighbor-
hood. and to the youngsters it was
= great honor to be d friend of
Barney JohnSon'S kids.
But Johnson, remaining steadfast
to his oft-expressed determination to
quit before l am through" has. just
quietly as he came here to build
his career, severed his long associa-
ton with major league base ball. and
hied himse to mere pleasant fields,
and it is up to Washington, with Its
new glory Of being a world champion
city, to make the best of it.