Evening star., 1927-10-16
Holds Many Records.

In quitting the 5dIllS HS mas 5AoNSu
for 20 full seasons and part of one
| other, Johnson, who will celebrate the
| forty-first anniversary of his birth
| near Humboldt, Kans., November 8.
next, carries with him the best wishes
of every one connected with the
national pastime from the players.
umpires, league and club officials to
the great throng of fans whose devo-
ton to the sport has raised II from q
rather precarious and somewhat ques-
| tionable occupation to the realm of
sound, big business to which 1t has
attained during his period of activity.
OF records, Barney, as he was affec-
| tionately known by his intimates,
established many in the long period
of his activity. but it was as much the
modest manner in which he received
| victory and the good spirit in which
he accepted defeat as well as his
exemplary conduct off the field that
so endeared him to the public and
established him as something OF
national idol.
Unlike a great majority of the
players who attain the heights in base
ball, Johnson was not, strictly speak
ing, product of the sandlots, nor did
he have an extensive preliminary
schooling in the minor leagues. AL
though born in Kansas, 1t was In
Fullerton. Calf, where his parents
moved when he was II years old, that
Walter obtained practically his first
base ball experience as a catcher for
his high school team.
The speed with which he could
throw ball, an asset that was most
largely responsible for the fame he
later attained, was in evidence even
then and 1t was not long before he
was on the mound, where his work at
tracted the attention of scout from
the Tacoma team of the Northwestern
League. who induced him to report to
that club in the Spring of 1906.
Released to Semi-Pro Club.
His lack of seasoning caused him
to be released TO the Weiser club OF
aa semi-pro league that operated IN
Idaho and played one game a week:
Returning to Weiser in 1907 word OF
Johnson's prowess reached Joe Can
tillon, then manager of the Wash
ington club. who sent Catcher Gin
Blankenship, disabled at the time
with an injury, to look him over with
the result that Johnson agreed to ac-
cept $3.50 bonus to report to the
Nationals.
Although beaten by the Detroit
Tigers on August 2, 1907, in his first
appearance in a big league uniform,
the twentieth anniversary of which
was celebrated here last Summer
when the fans subscribed to a bronze
and granite testimonial shaft in ad-
dition to contributing a purse of
about $4,000 to him, Johnson imme-
diately impressed keen observers as
future great and this estimate was
more than borne out by his subse-
quent deeds.
Probably the greatest triumph or
Johnson's entire career was the L.
inning victory he registered over the
New York Giants to assure the Ma
tionals the world championship In
1924 when Washington won the first
pennant In its history.
The same year he was selected as
the most valuable player to his club
in the American League.
Next in order may be rated the no
hit game he pitched against the Red
Sox at Boston on July I. 1920, and he
is the possessor of several records
that may stand for all time, including
the greatest number of years pitched
and the greatest number of games
won in ono league, greatest total of
strikeouts. most years leading league
in strikeoits, most years leading his
league in games won, most cOnSecu-
tive shutouts. greatest total Of shut
outs and most consecutive shutout In
nings.