Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-07-02
From the
Press Box
Political Plunge Shows
Johnson Really Tough
By JOHrl LARDNER,


ington. Not satisfied with having
served a term as manager in Cleve-
land, the city of broken managers,
Mr.. johnson now plans to do
stretch in Congress of his own free
will.
The great fireball pitcher called
around at the Republican convention
in Philadelphia last week and pre-
sented Chairman Joe Martin with
certain baseball equipment.
Thanks" said Mr. Martin, peer
ing curiously at the Big Train. 1t is
Mr. Martins experience that when
people give him something, they
usually want something. What can
I do for you?"
II am running for Congress-" said
Walter.
Mr.. Martin looked aStonished.
"On the Republican ticket" added
Mr.. johnson.
Mr.. Martin whistled.
And I am paying my respects"
said the candidate modestly.
McNory Became WistfuI
After Nomination
At the moment, Mr.. Martin was
short one vice presidential nominee,
and I do not doubt that he specu-
lated briefly on the possibility of
drafting Mr. johnson for this
highly desirable post, toward which
the attitude of most of the politi-
clans at the Notwithstanding
Mr.. Martin himself-was, that they
wouldn't take it if you handed it to
them on a silver platter.
Speaking of which reminds me of
the reaction of Senator Charles Nc
Nary, a good, solid man, when they
finally hung the job on him. The
Senator was downright wistful.
II guess they have to have some
body from the West" he said, guess
ing right, as usual, land it might as
well be me. Okay, boys, take me
away"
To the average man, with happy
home and 4stake in the world, the
sight of the Republicans assembled
in convention-or the Democrats,
for that matter-should be enough
to keep him out of politics for life.
However, Walter johnson, as said
before, is tough fellow.
Walter Never Shirked
Duty With Nationals
For the best part of 20 years, he
worked for a ball club in the sub
merged half of the second division
of the American League. I am not
drawing an analogy between the
WASHINGTON team and the Repub-
licans. am merely saying that the
team was we'll buried, and that Mr..
johnson ignored this fact and
worked his heart out. At least, part
of it. He had heart to spare.
Nowadays-and in former days,
too-you often find ball players
working for second division clubs
who frankly are angling for jobs
with better teams, and doing their
best to make the boss get rid OF
them. They loaf and grouse ana
slump-except when the team they
have their eyes on reaches town:
Then, for the education OF the rival
manager, they hit 400 and go AZ
miles to pull down fly balls.
All clubs looked alike to Mr.. John-
son, except Washington. Washing
ton was the club he worked LOT.
The other clubs were the ones ne
had to beat, and he beat them with
out pity or favor or backward
glance at the team behind him. the
sight of which sometimes was enough
to frighten stronger men tan Mr..
johnson.
Undounted by Politics
Even After Tribe Job
The Big Train worked without
faltering at one of baseballs tough
est jobs. When he could pitch no
longer, he looked around for q
managing job, and again picked
baseball's toughest. He selected
Cleveland, where he shared the ONCE
with a couple of hundred thousand
fans, half q dozen baseball writers
and various guests from out OF town.
Walter was the only one who was
paid to manage, OUT Ile aloo was WIG
one to take the raps when the raps
came.
He suffered most, perhaps, over
his pitchers. They were not very
good pitchers. They got kicked
around considerably. Single
minded fellow that he was, johnson
remembered the countless innings he
pitched for the lowly Nationals, toll
ing away without fear or assistance,
never even reaching for the rosin
bag-and he could not understand
why these fellows lost their stuff
halfway through ball game, with
five or six days rest.
That was the hardest part of his
Job, which they finally took away
from him. And now, not content
with his honorable discharge and a