[May 11, 2024] One of the most celebrated and dominating players in baseball history, Walter Johnson established several pitching records, some of which remain unbroken, during his 21-year career with the Washington Senators. He is best known for his gentle nature, and to this day, he is held up as an example of good sportsmanship, while his name has become synonymous with friendly competition.
On this day, May 11, 1919, Washington Senator Walter Johnson pitched 1-0 in an 18-inning game. Impressive. Nicknamed “Barney,” “Sir Walter,” and ”The Gentle Johnson,” he played his entire 21-year baseball career in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Senators from 1907 to 1927.
Johnson was renowned as the premier power pitcher of his era. Ty Cobb recalled his first encounter with the rookie fastballer:
“On August 2, 1907, I encountered the most threatening sight I ever saw in the ball field. The first time I faced him, 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.” – Cobb: a Biography by Al Stump (1994)
Johnson was among the first five players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. Johnson, Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner were known as the “Five Immortals” because they were the first players chosen for the Baseball Hall of Fame. These players prove that having heart in the game, makes a difference.
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.
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I love baseball and for many reasons. One reason, like so many, is that it is entertaining. But more important, as my dad would say, it teaches us patience, to be humble, that there is a randomness in life, that we have to work very hard to get ahead, and that there are many wonderful people out there and you just have to find the. Thanks for highlighting Walter Johnson.
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Mine too Jerome. Played it growing up since I was six years old, and despite not being that good, I always enjoyed the sport and the friendships made there.
Great embed on the video. You haven’t done that before to my knowledge. Looks “cool” in your website. That said, YES, I’m a big fan of baseball, even after the stupid things so many of the players did to show their support for “Justice” which was just them caving into the crazies who hate America. And, baseball is America’s sport. There has already been considerable pushback and I think the ballplayers and managers have figured out that the vast number of baseball fans don’t give a sh## about BLM or antifa who only destroy (typical Marxists). Thank u Gen. Satterfield. And, BTW, I love your series on “Letters to My Granddaughter.”
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ HAVING HEART IN THE GAME ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Exactly right, Randy. If you don’t have the drive, then you won’t make the grade. I don’t care how much you whine, you must want it and sacrifice for greatness.
Any article on good sportsmanship has me reading it. Thanks General Satterfield.
“On August 2, 1907, I encountered the most threatening sight I ever saw in the ball field. The first time I faced him, 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.” – Cobb: a Biography by Al Stump (1994)
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Just a comment here that I think most of us will agree with. There are those who have some kind of inbuilt talent that is a combination of physical ability and mental drive that we see as “talent”. In this case, we had Walter Johnson. Sad that he passed away. I would have loved to have heard him talk about baseball, or any sport today. Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for giving us a brief article on him.
I agree Max. Great quote by Ty Cobb and that says something about Walter Johnson. 👍
Another baseball legend for us to study. Walter Johnson is among the greatest. And, yet, most people, like me, have never heard of him. But most sad is that zero of the young people heard of him and that is a pathetic way to live, not knowing who the real heroes are or why.
Nice video. It is proper and expected that any example of good sportsmanship, that Gen. Satterfield will highlight it for us. Thank you, sir!!!!!
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He’s throwing out that first pitch.
I love baseball. ❤
Kenny and Ronny, I see that most of the readers here on Gen. Satterfield’s website are, in fact, baseball fans, either through experience with the sport growing up or just developing a liking for it. Baseball in America has its own flavor. It is a bit slow, methodical, but there are bursts of activity like a homerun or a player stealing a base or a team making a double play. If you are interested in good sportsmanship, then this is the website for you. Also, you will find good sportsmanship in Gen. Satterfield’s book “55 Rules for a Good Life.” Go there for more. This book will help you, but in the end, you are responsible for you, your family, and your community.
Hit the ball out of da park with that comment. 😊