“Washington: First in war, first in peace, and last in the American League.”
Sports writer Charley Dryden
That quote perfectly summed up the Washington Senators franchise for the first quarter of the 20th century, but it all changed in 1924. A team that had been the laughingstock of the American League for most of their existence turned it all around in ’24 to win it all in one of the most dramatic Fall Classics in baseball history.
After a 75-78 record in 1923, the Senators named 27-year-old Bucky Harris player-manager, giving them the youngest skipper in the game. And with their star Walter Johnson’s incredible career winding down it seemed unlikely the Senator’s fortunes would change. Johnson had been a terror on the mound since his debut in 1907 leading the AL in wins five times, ERA four times, Strikeouts eleven times, and posted Triple Crown seasons in 1913 & 1918. But, “The Big Train” hadn’t topped 20 wins or posted an ERA below 2.99 since 1919, sure signs that the future Hall of Famer had reached the end of his dominance. Johnson was one of the finest to ever take the mound, but spending his entire career with the Senators he had never experienced the postseason, and it appeared he never would.
But then, Johnson regained the form of his prime during that 1924 season. He led the AL in wins, ERA and strikeouts to claim his third pitching triple crown, as well as his second AL MVP. The team responded to new manager Harris edging out Ruth’s Yankees and Cobb’s Tigers to win the pennant. Their reward, a showdown with John McGraw’s Giants in the World Series. The Giants were a heavy favorite with four consecutive National League titles under their belt and a line up stocked with eight future Hall of Famers. Johnson was firmly entrenched as a fan favorite nation-wide, both for his performance on the mound and his gentlemanly demeanor. So, the entire country was pulling for the Senators to provide the legend with a long-awaited title. Will Rogers even devoted an entire column to the sentiment, entitled “Everybody’s Pulling for Walter.” However, despite solid outings, Johnson lost both of his starts in the Series. The Senators battled back to force a Game 7 at Griffith Park but found themselves down 3-1 in the eighth. Until Bucky Harris hit a grounder to third which took a bad hop over Freddie Lindstrom’s head allowing two to score and setting the stage for Walter Johnson’s finest moment.
Tied at three in the ninth Harris called on Johnson, saying as he handed him the ball, “You’re the best we’ve got Walter, we’ve got to win or lose with you.” Johnson did not disappoint. He kept the Giant’s powerful lineup at bay despite pitching on only a day’s rest. That season’s RBI leader, George “Highpockets” Kelly, went down swinging in the ninth with men on second and third. Johnson fanned him again in the eleventh with runners on first and second. Through four nerve-racking innings, with runners on base in each, Walter held the Giants scoreless. Then, in the bottom of the twelfth, rookie Earl McNeely hit a hard grounder to third which took an odd bounce over Lindstrom’s head allowing Muddy Ruel to score the Series winner, and secure the Senators first title.
Our May 7-9 auction contains two items directly tied to Walter Johnson and Game 7 of the legendary 1924 World Series. The first is Johnson’s personal ticket to the game, what he called, “my greatest day in baseball.” Attributed to his wife Hazel, the full ticket was in her possession as she was likely waved through the gates on the arm of Washington’s sports icon. Afterward it found its way into Mrs. Johnson’s meticulously kept scrapbooks and is possibly the only full, unused ticket from the historic event.
The other is a photo signed by Johnson with the “Big Train” himself dating it “Oct 10, 1924”, the day he won his lone championship. Johnson’s signature in any format is valuable, but tying it directly to the greatest moment of his career sets this photo apart from all others
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