On July 24, 1911, a team of American League All-Stars plays the Cleveland Naps in a benefit game for the family of Addie Joss. The Naps’ pitcher died on April 14 from a rare form of meningitis. The game raises over $12,600 for Joss’ family. The All-Stars win, 5 – 3. Joe Wood and Walter…
On June 23, 1911, In a 3 – 2 New York win against the Senators, Highlander 1B Hal Chase makes a major-league record 21 putouts. Chase also collects 2 hits and scores a run. Jack Quinn picks up the win (5-2), the losing pitcher was Walter Johnson (6-7).
1911 – In Philadelphia, Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators picks up his first win of the year, edging the visiting Philadelphia Athletics, 2 – 1. Frank Baker hits a solo home run off Johnson, the first home run over the fence the Washington ace has allowed; there have been two inside-the-park homers hit off Johnson.
1910 – Cleveland tops Washington, 3 – 0, with Walter Johnson losing to the Naps after four straight wins against them. The victory goes to Fred Blanding in his major league debut. Nap Lajoie scores a run but is 0 for 3.
Chicago’s Ed Walsh tops Walter Johnson, 1 – 0, the 3rd straight time Walsh has beaten the Big Train and Washington by that score.
The White Sox tally seven runs in five innings against Walter Johnson to coast to a 10 – 3 win. Johnson’s record is now 2 – 5, and the Washington Post suggests that the Nats “trade this phenom for a couple of good fielders.”
William Howard Taft becomes the first U.S. President to throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day. Attending the game in Washington, D.C., President Taft tosses the first ball to future Hall of Famer Walter Johnson, who pitches the first of his 14 Opening Day Washington games, striking out nine, en route to a 3 – 0 one-hit shutout against Eddie Plank and the Philadelphia Athletics. A double by Home Run Baker – caused by right fielder Doc Gessler tripping over a fan who had spilled out of overflow seating – spoils Johnson’s chance at an opening day no-hitter. Gabby Street is the Senators’ catcher, the only opener in which he catches for Johnson.
Walter Johnson gives up four hits in topping the A’s Chief Bender in 12 innings. The Nats win, 1 – 0, but the overwork will take its toll on the young ace. He will develop a sore arm and in his next two outings he will give up 27 hits.
Pitching against the Highlanders, Walter Johnson gives up a solo homer to Ray Demmitt in the 7th, the first home run he’s allowed since his debut in 1907. Demmitt’s shot is the only score for New York, as Johnson beats them for the second time in 10 days.
Washington’s Walter Johnson loses, 5 – 4, to Cleveland when he makes a throwing error.
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