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Sophiegirl

(2,338 posts)
27. Walter Johnson
Sat Apr 11, 2020, 12:26 AM
Apr 2020
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Johnson

Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946), nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Washington Senators (1907–1927). He later served as manager of the Senators from 1929 through 1932 and of the Cleveland Indians from 1933 through 1935.[1]

Often thought of as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Johnson established several pitching records, some of which remain unbroken nine decades after he retired from baseball. He remains by far the all-time career leader in shutouts with 110,[2] second in wins with 417, and fourth in complete games with 531. He held the career record in strikeouts for nearly 56 years, with 3,508, from the end of his career in 1927 until the 1983 season, when three players (Steve Carlton, Nolan Ryan and Gaylord Perry) finally passed the mark. Johnson was the only player in the 3,000 strikeout club (achieved July 22, 1923) until Bob Gibson recorded his 3,000th strikeout on July 17, 1974. Johnson led the league in strikeouts a Major League record 12 times—one more than current strikeout leader Nolan Ryan—including a record eight straight seasons.[3] He is the only pitcher in major league history to record over 400 wins and strike out over 3,500 batters.

In 1936, Johnson was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame as one of its "first five" inaugural members. His gentle nature was legendary, and to this day he is held up as an example of good sportsmanship, while his name has become synonymous with friendly competition.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Rollie Fingers htuttle Apr 2020 #1
Seconded. Jamastiene Apr 2020 #3
Although not a baseball fan of any kind Sherman A1 Apr 2020 #2
He was simply as tough a ballplayer who ever kairos12 Apr 2020 #6
Mariano Rivera mikeargo Apr 2020 #4
No doubt brokephibroke Apr 2020 #16
Denny McClain gibraltar72 Apr 2020 #5
In his prime, not the Denny McClain who came to DC. Kingofalldems Apr 2020 #37
Is the batter RH or LH? That would make a big difference. n/t brewens Apr 2020 #7
You are right about that. You can pick a pitcher for either side kairos12 Apr 2020 #8
I think Jarred Kushner can do anything.... So I pick him world wide wally Apr 2020 #9
I just laughed and threw up in my mouth at the same time. kairos12 Apr 2020 #11
Bob Gibson. The baddest inside corner duster. cachukis Apr 2020 #10
He pitched on the black. He ignored the entire expanse of white coloring on the plate. kairos12 Apr 2020 #12
Mariano (R) or Andy Pettitte (L) Princess Turandot Apr 2020 #13
Greg Maddux Bleacher Creature Apr 2020 #14
Also a superb fielder. kairos12 Apr 2020 #15
18 Gold Gloves?!?! Bleacher Creature Apr 2020 #17
This. Totally this. One of the smartest pitchers to ever play the game ms liberty Apr 2020 #19
Sandy Koufax ace3csusm Apr 2020 #18
Against today's hitters? The Polack MSgt Apr 2020 #20
Sorry. Gibson was really my only choice. kairos12 Apr 2020 #21
I'd put up the one pitcher that terrified Ted Williams Brother Buzz Apr 2020 #22
no way he threw 168mph ace3csusm Apr 2020 #23
105mph ace3csusm Apr 2020 #24
with correct for radar ace3csusm Apr 2020 #25
String the first letters of the subhead together of George Plimpton's piece for a clue Brother Buzz Apr 2020 #29
Satchel Paige aeromanKC Apr 2020 #26
Walter Johnson Sophiegirl Apr 2020 #27
I'm going with Eddie Cicotte or RA Dickey JackintheGreen Apr 2020 #28
Randy Johnson... Moostache Apr 2020 #30
That's a classic! roscoeroscoe Apr 2020 #33
my first thought also kozar Apr 2020 #34
Nolan Ryan DEbluedude Apr 2020 #31
Wilbur Wood/Hoyt Wilhelm beachbumbob Apr 2020 #32
My only quibble with your choice kairos12 Apr 2020 #35
always a possibility with a knuckleballer beachbumbob Apr 2020 #36
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