Evening star., 1927-04-03
CHAPTER VII
BY HEROLD .tMUDDYl RCEL.
Star Catcher of the Nationals.

M \ " Walter ter Johnsons". Of $ NJ :
M How often have ] been
asked this question or
similar one! For base
ball fans realize that back Of this
human pitching machine, with the
tremendous sreed. is the man: the
real flesh-and.blood human being. with
his ioys and his sorrows. working for
home and family. while piling up
almost unbelievable diamond records
In this chapter ! have endeavored to
brink before the readers eyes word
picture of this most unusual char.
acter, as ! have known him.
The score was tied and the bases
were filed. with two men out. The
count was two and three on the bat
ter Eager baserunners danced back
and forth On the lines, coaches
screamed and paved the air, while
above and around the playing field
thousands of frenzied fans shouted,
raved. encouraged pleaded. 1t was
an ordinary game, but close one.
In the pitchers box stood Walter
johnson. Precipitation was coursing
in a stream down his face and seep-
ing down inside his uniform. He
staggered a bit. perhaps from the
scorching rays of the burning sun
overhead. possibly from WEAKNESS
caused by his own eXertions.
Behind the batter l crouched; tense,
expectant, eager. | did bit OF silent
PRAYING and a whole lot OF pulling
for my big battery mate as | gave
him the signal for the next throw.
The uproar increased to bedlam as
the Speed King Tipped that mighty
right arm of his and released a
smoking pitch plateward. There was
a sharp report, as bat and ball met;
a flying speck Of white. streaking to
the right Of the pitchers box; then a
figure in a gray uniform flashed
across the greensward from the pitch
er's box to head off that whizzing
horsehide sphere. 1t was Barney"
Tp and over TO the right shot his
left arm Smack. Into the out
stretched gloved hand went the ball.
trembled for a second. then !
wanted to shout aloud my joy.
The threatened catastrophe had been
nverted.
An Autograph Hunter.
Weariiy, with shutting gait and
nmniy hanging arms. the Senator ace
moved slowly toward the bench.
brushing. with dusty, damp, arm
the sweat from his face. His eyes
were on the ground, but his thoughts
ware probably dwelling upon the
cooling shadow of the players bench
and the refreshing, invigorating drink
Of water which he knew awaited him
at the little fountain before the bench.
lie had almost reached the steps
leading to the BENCH when there came
sudden cry from the stand.
"Oh. Walter Johnson. Walter! just
d minute please
Barney" looked up 10 the railing
IN front OF the grandstand and he
paused in his movements. An excited
fan came hurriedly down the aisle uil-
tia he stood in front Of Walter. In his
hand he carried a base ball.
Will yon autograph this ball for
nae, please?"
There was more than one gasp frqR
OUR crowded bench; more than on
xaiitfered impreeation, as we heard the
words, What time to be asking for
signatures: interrupting a weary ath-
hete, seeking the brief respite which
inaings allow, TO fortify himself for
smother. perhaps an even more exact
ing. round with the foe.
There was no trace of displeasure
on the face of Johnson, however, as he
accepted in turn the proffered horse
hide and the fountain pen. then, with
painstaklng care. he inscribed his sig
nature on the ball.
Certainly" he said easily, as he
away once more.
"Fan Mali Is Big.
Very few outside of his teammates
and those who were sitting in the inn
mediate vicinity saw the little by-play,
unfortunately. II is too bad that the
Aeene couldn't have been Witnessed by
all who attended that game. probably
Tnanv Of them wondering. as SO many
diamond followers do. What sort Of
man is this Walter Johnson" Their
NnSpoken question would have been
well answered.
Barney" always IL willing TO put
his signature on a bail for an inter
ested spectator. no matter what the
circumstances may he, and for this
reason he Is at times imposed upon, as
I have already shown.
His 'fan nail'' is, naturally, large
one and in answering the correspond
ence he enlists the aid of Mrs. John
son his wife. There was time when
Walter attempted to answer all the
inisssves himself. but Of late years the
anaii has grown so large that he has
been forced to fash the s o. s. signal
10 his ready helpmate.
I'm the Fall Of 1924. when the Sena.
tors were laundering down the home
stretch 10 \ victory in the league race
and topping this achievement by win
ming the worl5 championship, the
Senator speed pitcher tried. unaided,
to answer all the letters and kilograms
which came in from all parts of the
world
Can YOU imagine base ball player
or any other athlete attempting To re-
ply 10 25 letters and telegrams day?
The task was an impossible one, but
Barney made a real try at H.. and IL
was with genuine regret that he was
forced 10 admit it's futility. Every
communication was answered. how
ever, with the aid of Mrs. Johnson.
The bulk Of Walters mail is from
bovs, hut no writer is too youthful. no
hand too scrawiy TO receive a note in
return from the great pitcher. The
smaere scrawly the handwriting, the bet.
TIER Barney" likes It, and the more
Likelihood that 1t win be given prompt
tattention. To those who desire goes a
IwHslth of advice and information.
sgleaned from many years Of base ball
sseFNipe.
1 Among his letters are many from
stiRe various prisons and penitentiaries,
foF Barney" is a favorite with the
FrrfwoneFs, as we'll as with those more
fortunate persons who are not con.
filmed within walls Of stone and bars
lcf iron or steel
ConAdant OF Players.
IT is a real pleasure to see Walter at
kfhe conclusion Of game in Washing
tor. surrounded by boys and young
men Of all ages, shaking hands. auto.
graphing balls, encouraging youthful
diamond athletes in their dreams and
ambitions; advising them how 10 i'm
prove their playing. 1t Ia sometimes
three quarters Of an hour before he
can break away from the last OF these
hero worshippeFs and drag his tired