On This Day

Walter Johnson

Athlete

Born: Died: American

Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946), nicknamed "Barney" and "the Big Train", was an American professional baseball player and manager. 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. He later served as manager of the Senators from 1929 through 1932 and of the Cleveland Indians from 1933 through 1935.

Generally regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Johnson established several records, some of which remain unbroken. He remains by far the all-time career leader in shutouts with 110, second in wins with 417, and fourth in complete games with 531. He held the career record in strikeouts from 1919, passing Christy Mathewson’s mark of 2,507, until 1983, when three players (Steve Carlton, Nolan Ryan and Gaylord Perry) passed his career total of 3,508. On July 22, 1923, Johnson became the first pitcher to record 3,000 strikeouts. He remained the only player to do so until Bob Gibson matched the feat on July 17, 1974. Of the club's 20 members, he pitched the most innings and has the lowest strikeouts per nine innings pitched (5.34 K/9).

Notable For

American baseball player and manager

Walter Johnson's Historical Timeline

  1. Walter Johnson is born

    Walter Johnson, American athlete, known for american baseball player and manager, was born on 1887-11-06.

  2. Future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Jack Chesbro records his final victory for the New York Highlanders before being wa

    Future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Jack Chesbro records his final victory for the New York Highlanders before being waived and claimed by the Red Sox, defeating Walter Johnson and the Washington Senators 2-1

  3. MLB pitcher Walter Johnson's 16-game winning streak ends

    Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946), nicknamed "Barney" and "the Big Train", was an American professional baseball player and manager.

  4. MLB Washington Senator Walter Johnson wins his 36th game

    MLB Washington Senator Walter Johnson wins his 36th game

  5. MLB greatest pitcher Walter Johnson (26) weds Hazel Lee Roberts in Northwest, Washington, D.C., until her death in 1930

    MLB greatest pitcher Walter Johnson (26) weds Hazel Lee Roberts in Northwest, Washington, D.C., until her death in 1930

  6. Washington Senator Walter Johnson pitches 1-0, 18 inning game

    Washington Senator Walter Johnson pitches 1-0, 18 inning game

  7. MLB Washington Senator Walter Johnson pitches his second no-hitter, beating the Browns 2-0 in 7 innings

    MLB Washington Senator Walter Johnson pitches his second no-hitter, beating the Browns 2-0 in 7 innings

  8. Walter Johnson retires, signs 2-year contract to manage Newark

    Walter Johnson retires, signs 2-year contract to manage Newark

  9. Walter Johnson signs a 3-year contract to manage the Senators

    Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946), nicknamed "Barney" and "the Big Train", was an American professional baseball player and manager.

  10. First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johns

    First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson

  11. Former baseball player for the Washington Senators, Walter Johnson loses Maryland congressional race (R)

    Former baseball player for the Washington Senators, Walter Johnson loses Maryland congressional race (R)

Associated Historical Events

birth

Walter Johnson is born

Walter Johnson, American athlete, known for american baseball player and manager, was born on 1887-11-06.

Future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Jack Chesbro records his final victory for the New York Highlanders before being wa

Future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Jack Chesbro records his final victory for the New York Highlanders before being waived and claimed by the Red Sox, defeating Walter Johnson and the Washington Senators 2-1

MLB pitcher Walter Johnson's 16-game winning streak ends

Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946), nicknamed "Barney" and "the Big Train", was an American professional baseball player and manager.

MLB Washington Senator Walter Johnson wins his 36th game

MLB Washington Senator Walter Johnson wins his 36th game

MLB greatest pitcher Walter Johnson (26) weds Hazel Lee Roberts in Northwest, Washington, D.C., until her death in 1930

MLB greatest pitcher Walter Johnson (26) weds Hazel Lee Roberts in Northwest, Washington, D.C., until her death in 1930

Washington Senator Walter Johnson pitches 1-0, 18 inning game

Washington Senator Walter Johnson pitches 1-0, 18 inning game

MLB Washington Senator Walter Johnson pitches his second no-hitter, beating the Browns 2-0 in 7 innings

MLB Washington Senator Walter Johnson pitches his second no-hitter, beating the Browns 2-0 in 7 innings

Walter Johnson retires, signs 2-year contract to manage Newark

Walter Johnson retires, signs 2-year contract to manage Newark

Walter Johnson signs a 3-year contract to manage the Senators

Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946), nicknamed "Barney" and "the Big Train", was an American professional baseball player and manager.

First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johns

First players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson

Former baseball player for the Washington Senators, Walter Johnson loses Maryland congressional race (R)

Former baseball player for the Washington Senators, Walter Johnson loses Maryland congressional race (R)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Walter Johnson born?
Walter Johnson was born on 1887-11-06 (American).
What is Walter Johnson known for?
American baseball player and manager
What historical events involved Walter Johnson?
Walter Johnson was involved in 11 recorded historical events, including Walter Johnson is born, Future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Jack Chesbro records his final victory for the New York Highlanders before being wa, MLB pitcher Walter Johnson's 16-game winning streak ends.
When did Walter Johnson die?
Walter Johnson died on 1946-01-01.

Related Years