Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-12
WALTER JOHNSON
WILL PILOT MATS
IN COMING SEASON
Washington Veteran Freed
by Newark for Re-
turn Here.
WILL REPLACE HARRIS
IN ROLE OF MANAGER
Star of Two Decades on Mound
Awaits Only Formal Con-
tract Signing.

Walter Johnson will be the manager
of the Nationals next season.
That the veteran who for two decades
starred on the mound in Washington
uniform will return to the Capital as
team leader in place of Stanley Harris
recently deposed. became assured about
noon today when President Paul Block
Of the Newark International League
club announced he would gladly re-
lease johnson from the managerial con-
tract Walter signed last year and
which has another season to run. pro-
vided johnson got chance to better
himself.
The question of whether Johnson was
available for the position was all that
stood in the way of his appointment,
and, now that this has been removed.
only the formalities of agreeing upon
terms and signing the binding papers
remain before johnson is officially IN
stalled as pilot of the team with which
he earned undying fame as pitcher.
Griffith Gives Terms.
johnson will be the manager of the
Washington club next season, provided
he can obtain his release from Newark"
This was the statement made by Presl-
dent Clark Griffith early this afternoon,
following a noncommittal stand taken
earlier in the day When he stated merely
he would consider Johnson's applica-
tion for the berth, provided the latter
were free to make it.
That johnson will be at liberty to
negotiate for transfer to washington
from his Newark Affiliations was made
clear in an Associated Press dispatch
from New York sent out at midday,
which read:
IF Walter johnson is offered the
management of the Washington Amer
fcan League club, Paul Block, owner
of the Newark club of the Interna-
tional League. to whom Johnson is
under contract, will not stand in the
way of the transfer 1t was learned
at Blocks New York Office today.
FL Seasons Here.
There is no question but that the
practically assured appointment of
johnson as field leader Of the Wash
ington team will be heartily indorsed
by a great majority Of the Capital base
ball enthusiasts.
The entire history of base ball re-
veals no instance of where an individual
player attained greater popularity than
that enjoyed by johnson as result of
his efforts in a Washington uniform
during 81 seasons. His sterling quail
tiles, both off and on the field, SO en-
deared him to followers of the pastime
that his fame spread throughout the
breadth of the land. And when he so
dramatically appeared on the pitching
mound to assure Washington of victory
against the New York Giants in the
final game of the 1924 series. after pre-
viously having been twice defeated
he was established as something of a
national idol among sports followers of
the Nation.
Mention of johnson as a possible
manager of the Nationals was made
early in the past season before any,
thing more than intimation was obtain
able that Harris might not be retained
in the position he assumed with the
start of the 1924 campaign.
Others Mentioned.
On Tuesday of last week when Presi-
dent Griffith finally settled the rlln1ors
anent Harris with announcement that
he had been relieved of his duties. the
name Of johnson again was brought to
the fore. along with those of several
others including First Baseman Joe
Judge. but it was not until yesterday
that it became known there was more
than possibility of johnson assuming
the managerial reins in Washington.
This was furnished in the form of q
story from Coffeyville, Kans., where
johnson had gone to visit his family
following a sojourn at st. Louis, where
ne covered the world series for news
paper syndicate.
johnson now is on his way to New
York to confer with President Block
and after officially canceling his con-
tract with the Newark club will come
to Washington, where he will con-
sunlmate his negotiations with Griffith
and be officially installed as manager
of the Washington club