WALTER JOHNSON·1912

In 1912 the Train ran on time and then some — thirty-three wins, three hundred three punchouts, a 1.39 ERA across three hundred sixty-nine innings. Thirty-four complete games. Seven shutouts. Hitters swore the ball was still on the way after it was already past them. Griffith Stadium heard the same quiet after every punchout: the sound of a league learning what “too late” meant. The frames chase the sidearm smoke.

33 WINS

Thirty-three wins against twelve losses — Griffith Stadium learning the schedule by heart.

303 K

Three hundred three strikeouts — hitters late before the ball left his hand.

SIDEARM SMOKE

Thirty-four complete games · seven shutouts — polite delivery, rude results.

Walter Johnson, Washington Senators. Bain Collection / Library of Congress via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain (US).