Walter Johnson and Cy Young have 928 career victories between them, and each was dominant pitchers in their eras. As Johnson was winding up his Hall of Fame pitching career in 1927, the Washington Senators decided to have a day to honor the “Big Train,” who joined the squad in 1907. On Aug. 2, 1927 — 20 years to the day after he made his major league debut — Johnson was … [Read more...]
Congrats and Good Luck, Walter: Johnson-Ruppert Photo from 1925 Opener
It had been a long time coming but on Opening Day, 1925, Walter Johnson came to Yankee Stadium as a World Series champion. News photographers were there on April 14, 1925, capturing a pre-game handshake between the great pitcher and Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert. There's no doubt Ruppert coveted Johnson, who had been a thorn in the Yankees' side for years and … [Read more...]
Notes: Johnson, Young Photos Top Auction; 1956 Football Pack Rip
If you've seen his 1914 and 1915 Cracker Jack cards, now you know what the actual photo to make them looked like. Heritage Auctions sold an original copy of the early 1910s image of the Big Train in its latest photo auction, which closed Saturday night. The Type I image netted $28,800. In all, five photos sold for over $10,000. A unique 1902 Carl Horner … [Read more...]
Prices for Cards of Baseball’s First Hall of Famers Have Soared
Baseball's first Hall of Fame class is unrivaled and the first induction included only five players. However, the players that were inducted were Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Honus Wagner, and Christy Mathewson, making for as star studded a group to be found. Several other years have also had loaded rosters but none will ever top baseball's inaugural class. Prices for … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Walter Johnson Debuts His Board Game
When an athlete’s name was attached to a baseball board game, the manufacturer simply paid for the player’s endorsement and the use of his image. Walter Johnson was willing to sit down and play it with a youngster or two. A mid-1920s photo has emerged showing Johnson in promotional mode at the annual American Toy Fair in New York City. The 6 ½” x 8 ½” Underwood … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Walter Johnson Throws a Silver Dollar Across the Rappahannock River
It started out as part of a tree planting ceremony to honor George Washington’s birthday but by the time February 22, 1936 came around, Walter Johnson was back in the national news, nine years after his last big league pitch. The Big Train came down from his Maryland farm to Fredericksburg, VA at the request of city leaders who planned to plant 400 cherry trees and wanted to … [Read more...]
Ball Signed by Walter Johnson (and Walter Jr.) in New Mile High Auction
You're probably well aware of Walter Johnson but did you know the Big Train had a son who also pitched? The story of Walter Johnson Jr. actually came to a sad, premature conclusion but fans of baseball history will appreciate an item in Mile High Card Company’s current auction that pairs father and son. The newly launched Extra Innings auction includes an American … [Read more...]
Packed with History and Intrigue, 1924 Babe Ruth Home Run Bat Now at Auction
No matter how many stories have been spun about Babe Ruth, there always seems to be another one waiting to be told. Here’s one with an intriguing history. The bat used by Ruth when he hit his first home run of the 1924 season was awarded to a high school senior who won a batting title in the Los Angeles area. The bat was an heirloom that was bought by a relative when the … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Walter Johnson Gets Calvin Coolidge Autographed Ball
He was a fan like every other resident of Washington, D.C. News accounts of the 1924 World Series reported that President Calvin Coolidge didn't just sit and politely applaud the hometown Senators, either. Coolidge may have had his share of trouble on the job but in the ballpark, he let loose with the best of them, chomping on a cigar, standing to applaud, … [Read more...]
Two Near Mint Mantle Rookie Cards; Historic Memorabilia Part of Goldin Auction
A pair of 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards, both in near mint condition, drew bids of over $50,000 each in the first 24 hours of bidding at Goldin Auctions. One card is rated SGC 84 (7) while the other is a PSA 7. Among the 470 copies recorded in SGC's census reporting, just 20 have been placed at a higher tier than the one in the auction. Just over three … [Read more...]