• Walter Perry Johnson went from a telephone company employee to Major League pitcher in 1907
• His extraordinary fastball had the most prolific hitters of the day swinging at air
• The Walter Johnson Baseball League promotes family values for aspiring athletes

Walter Perry Johnson was a right-handed, major league pitcher from 1907 to 1927. He was known as “Big Train” and his fastball had some of the greatest hitters of his day shaking in their boots. He left his imprint on the Major League Baseball record book with his pitching and hitting prowess. Off the field, Johnson was a well liked man who made friends easily among his baseball brethren. When he took his spot on the mound however he played aggressive baseball as batters who faced him soon found out.

Walter Perry Johnson was Discovered in the Idaho State League

Johnson discovered his pitching skills while playing for the Fullerton High School baseball team in Fullerton, California. In one 15-inning game he struck out 27 batters from the Santa Ana High School team. Back in those days they didn’t have scouts attending many high school games and Johnson was overlooked by professional teams. He moved to Weiser, Idaho where he worked for a telephone company in addition to pitching for the Idaho State League. A baseball scout spotted the lanky pitcher and signed him to a contract with the Washington Senators in 1907. The history of Walter Johnson baseball had begun.

Career Milestones of Walter Perry Johnson

Johnson was known as playing aggressive baseball mainly due to his overpowering fastball. After Ty Cobb faced Johnson for the first time he was quoted as saying “I watched him take that easy windup and then something went past me that made me flinch. The thing just hissed with danger. We couldn’t touch him…every one of us knew we’d met the most powerful arm ever turned loose in a ball park.” This says a lot about Johnson’s speed coming from the player with the highest career batting average.

The “Big Train” put up some pretty impressive numbers during his career including:

• A career strikeout record of 3,509 that lasted for 55 years.
• Being second only to the legendary Cy Young in games won with 417.
• Twelve seasons with over 20 wins to his credit including an amazing 10 in a row.
• Two 30-win seasons with 33 in 1912 and 36 in 1913.
• The most shutouts in history at 110.
• An astounding performance against the New York Highlanders where he shut them out in three consecutive games on September 4th, 5th, and 7th. No four day rests for this guy.
• Capturing the Triple Crown for pitchers in 1913, 1918, and 1924.
• Two American League MVP awards
• A 1913 ERA of 1.14 which is the sixth lowest in history.
• A record batting average for a pitcher of .433 in 1925

Establishment of the Walter Johnson Baseball League

The Walter Johnson Baseball League was established over 30 years ago in Kansas as a means to provide opportunities for aspiring college and semi-pro baseball players. It was founded on the values of Walter Perry Johnson with family being the main focal point. It is affiliated with the National Baseball Congress and participates in the NBC World Series.

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