JOHNSON, WALTER (PERRY)

born Nov. 6, 1887, Humboldt, Kan., U.S. died Dec. 10, 1946, Washington, D.C. byname Big Barney, or The Big Train U.S. professional baseball player who had perhaps the greatest fastball in the history of the game. A right-handed thrower and batter, Johnson pitched for the Washington Senators of the American League from 1907 through 1927. During those 21 seasons he struck out more batters (3,508) and scored more shutout victories (110 or 113; authorities differ) than did any other pitcher in major league history. He also won the most games (413, 414, or 416) and pitched the most innings (5,923 2/3) among players whose careers were entirely in the 20th century. In 1983 his career strikeout record was broken by three pitchers: Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton, and Gaylord Perry. Johnson was nonplaying manager of the Washington club (192932) and of the Cleveland Indians (193335). A popular player, Johnson was elected in 1936 to the Baseball Hall of Fame.