Jake Putnam's blog

Walter Johnson, ‘The Big Train’ got his start in Idaho

Walter Johnson, ‘The Big Train’ played for the Weiser Kids back in 1906-7

Weiser--One of the most dominating major league pitchers to play the game got his start in Weiser. 

Nineteen year old Walter ‘Big Train’ Johnson got off the train in Caldwell back in the spring of 1906.  After a stellar high school career the 18 year old was offered the pitching job by the Weiser Kids, a marquee team in Idaho’s Interstate League. 

“I’ve seen towns get steamed up over baseball,” Johnson reminisced in 1924, ‘but the place that went craziest was Weiser, Idaho, where I first earned money for pitching.”

Pitching for the Weiser Kids back in 1906-07, Johnson threw an astonishing 77 consecutive scoreless innings and racked up a 14-2 record. Scouts started showing up from major league teams because Kid was striking out at least two hitters per inning earning. 

At a time when prime agricultural farm land was selling for $40 per acre in Washington County. He was pulling down the handsome sum of $150 a month. Not one to rest on his laurels, the big strong kid from Kansas dug post holes for the phone company during the day for additional cash.

Baseball was serious business in Idaho, town rivalries were fueled by beer and fights in the stands were common. In his first game pitching against Caldwell a riot broke out in the 4th inning. He was saved from hooligans by the Canyon County sheriff who told him:“We ain’t going to let you get into a jam and hurt your arm on some worthless coyote.”

Johnson’s best year came in 1907 when he pitched seven straight shutouts topped by a perfect game against the Emmett Prune Pickers. Then there was the no-hitter off the Mountain Home Dudes in mid July. The Weiser Kids were unbeatable whenever ‘Big Train’ Johnson took the mound.

 By the end of summer arch-rivals Weiser and Caldwell tied for the pennant. Johnson was sitting pretty, he leased a house at 49 West Park Street in Weiser, (it’s still there) and planned on staying a while. That is until Washington Senators scout Cliff Blankenship showed up to see the ‘phenom’ pitch.

“What I found when I got to Weiser was a boy,” recalled Blankenship. “A big, husky boy and a green one too! He knew nothing of the fine points of baseball but he could put more smoke on that old baseball than I ever dreamed possible.”

Blankenship signed Johnson for $350 a month, a $100 bonus, and train fare back to Washington. By August the lanky kid was in the Senators pitching rotation. Fellow Hall of Famer Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers squared off against the hayseed from Idaho:

"On August 2, 1907, I encountered the most threatening sight I ever saw in the ball field. He was a rookie, and we licked our lips as we warmed up for the first game of a doubleheader in Washington. Evidently, manager Joe Cantilon of the Nats had picked a rube out of the cornfields of the deepest bushes to pitch against us. He was a tall, shambling galoot of about twenty, with arms so long they hung far out of his sleeves, and with a sidearm delivery that looked unimpressive at first glance. One of the Tigers imitated a cow mooing, and we hollered at Cantillon: 'Get the pitchfork ready, Joe, your hayseed's on his way back to the barn.'  The first time I faced him, I watched him take that easy windup. Then something went past me that made me flinch. The thing just hissed with danger. We couldn't touch him, every one of us knew we'd met the most powerful arm ever turned loose in a ball park."

During his 20 year career with Senators,Johnson amassed 3,508 strikeouts, a record that stood until 1983. No pitcher since has topped his shutout record of 110 games. He once pitched 55 straight scoreless innings and is still second in the major leagues with 416 wins. Johnson was one of the first five players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

Johnson passed away in 1946 at the age of 59. The baseball field at Memorial Park, in Weiser is called Walter Johnson Field.

 

 

Back in the reporting days, I got a backseat ride in an F-4-G. What a thrill, I don't think I will ever be that thrilled again...

Borg and Vilas at the French Open 1978---two of the greatest clay court players of all time.
Both had very similar games, heavy topspin off the forehand and backhand. Vilas had a one-handed backhand...

Training continues

Training continues for US National Indoors and the League season. Im playing 3-4 singles matches per week, at least 5 doubles matches, and a league mixed match per week.

Each morning when I get up I do 60 pushups followed by 60 sit-ups...then I do a hundred bicep curls, 50 shoulder presses and 30 closed bicep presses.

I work out at noon, doing circuit weights and 40 minutes of elliptical...followed by a singles or doubles match. Before I go to bed I re do the morning routine with the curls, presses pushups, situps.

I also will try and play a match in my mind before bed...Im also hitting a hundred serves a day...its all paying off...Im playing the best of my life...
Im ranked 124th in the US this week and 483 in the world! I hope to better that after the US indoors!

A strong mind trumps a strong back

It's nearly impossible to beat a person that knows they're going to win...

ITF Championships: final wrap wrap up

The 32nd International Tennis Federation Seniors World Team & Individual Championships were the February story in the San Diego District. Under the astute guidance of Bill Kellogg, a USTA Director-At-Large who served as the Tournament Director, over 600 players were involved in the Cup competition, and 750 participated in the Individual events. Utilizing a collection of facilities including the Balboa Tennis Club, Barnes Tennis Center, La Costa Resort & Spa, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Morgan Run Club & Resort, and San Diego Tennis & Racquet Club, competitors from 45 countries had a once in a lifetime playing experience that was daily proof as to why the area is a "must visit" location.

Southern California, while calling attention to its postcard perfect tennis settings, had 10 standout players in the Davis Cup/Fed Cup-like action for seniors.

Stuart Duncan made his first appearance representing the US as a member of the Men’s 35 Italia Cup team. Playing at the La Costa Resort & Spa, the squad finished sixth after defeating Canada 2-0.

France obviously was very comfortable at Barnes Tennis Center, claiming both of the 40 age group finals. Jeff Tarango was on the Men’s Trabert Cup team that finished on the short end of a 2-0 score. The Women’s Young Cup team was flush with local players. Amy Alcini, the playing captain, had Jennifer Dawson and Gretchen Magers as teammates, at the same location as the men. And they also lost to France 2-0.

Rick Leach was on the Men’s 45 Dubler Cup team that played at Morgan Run Resort, and finished third with a 2-0 victory over Great Britain. For the former No. 1 doubles player, the event was a step back in time. In 1990, he made his Davis Cup debut with Jim Pugh, at the La Costa Resort & Spa. Winning in four sets over Mexico, Leach recalled, "There was a lot of pressure and I remember being relieved when it was done."

Jarilyn Joseph made her Cup debut as playing captain of the Women’s 45 Court Cup team at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. Joseph said of being the defending champions, "Each country will have a different style of play and strengths. We’re a young team, but a real hungry team. We have to defend the title for the U.S. We have players who can really stay out there all day. We have a lot of heart and I’m hoping that will pull us through."

Her team evidenced heart, but finished fifth after scoring a 2-0 decision over Great Britain.

Mike Fedderly was part of the Men’s 50 Perry Cup contest at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. "The key is the depth," Fedderly said. "All four guys are basically the same. We can pick and choose and then see who we want to play."
Combinations aside, the defending champion’s dropped a 2-1 decision to France in the final.

Tina Karwasky, the top ranked player in the US Women’s 55 division, ended up playing for the Women’s 50 Bueno Cup team at the San Diego Tennis & Racquet Club. Though she is eligible to play in the 60s this year, Karwasky, teamed with Mary Dailey of Delray Beach, Florida, but the duo came up short as the US lost 2-1 to Australia in the title round.
"The Aussies were tough," she said. "In fact, they were an excellent doubles team."

Carolyn Nichols, Chair of the USTA Senior International Competition Committee and another of the section’s playing captains, was on the winning Women’s 55 Connolly Cup team. In the final, the US defeated Great Britain 2-1. The defending champions were so strong that in total, they lost but a single match while playing at the Balboa Tennis Club. (Leslie Airola Murveit and Nichols dropped a 6-0, 3-6, 6-2 decision.)

At the Individual Championships, players from Southern California were in the forefront of the trophy collecting.
Cammy MacGregor-Ward and Debbie Spence-Nasim won the Women’s 35 doubles. Amy Alcini and Joseph Lizardo were Mixed 35 finalists. Spence-Nasim also team with Steve Dawson to claim the Mixed 45 doubles title.

SoCal dominated the Men’s 40 finals. Jeff Tarango edged Marcus Hilpert of The Netherlands 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 for the singles trophy. The doubles final featured Rick Leach teaming with Mickey Maule to down his former ATP tour partner Ellis Ferreira and Roger Mills, 6-1, 5-7, 7-5. On the Women’s 40 side, Deborah Higa and Jami Jones defeated Jennifer Lyons and Julie Shapiro, 6-3, 7-6 for the title. Tracie Currie and Leach slipped past Gretchen Magers and Tarango in the Mixed 40 final 6-1, 4-6, 10-7.

John Letts and Bruce Man-Son-Hing deftly handed Brian Cory and Art Hernandez a 6-2, 6-4 loss in the Men’s 45 doubles trophy battle. Jennifer Dawson was impressive taking the Women’s 45 singles title.

Val Wilder downed his doubles partner Mike Fedderly 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 in the Men’s 50 final. After a brief respite, the duo returned to the court and scored a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory over Ross Hessler and Jon Tyrell for doubles honors.

Ros Nideffer had a full week of tennis, winning the Women’s 50 singles, and reaching the Women’s 45 doubles final with Magers.

As hard as it is to believe, with all his responsibilities, Bill Kellogg was able to find time to compete. He and his partner John Holladay were defeated 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in the Men’s 55 doubles final by Ross Persons and Dan Waldman. Kathy May Fritz and Susan Wright were relentless in the Women’s 55 final, dispatching Mary Ginnard and Tina Karwasky 6-1, 6-1. Robin Harris and Angel Lopez were 6-3, 6-4 better than Joanne Russell and Ross Person in the Mixed 55 final.

Kellogg has hosted Davis Cup and Fed Cup events at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and is as knowledgeable as anyone in the world when it comes to organizing a tennis event. Always quick to praise others rather then take kudos himself, he pointed out that the roles played by San Diego Sports Commission, including Kristen Auten, Lexie Sarkisian and Whitney Goodman, along with Volunteer Coordinator Fran McCloskey and all the directors of tennis and their staff at the facilities that opened their courts, deserved "Well Done" commendations.

Also deserving praise were the companies that provided support, including, Babolat, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch – The Hegardt Group, CH Court Tech, Tennis Warehouse and Vitamin Water.

Having done an exemplary job with the World Team & Individual Championships, Kellogg had a few days to catch his breath before beginning preparation for the 123rd Pacific Coast Men’s’ Doubles Championships, the second oldest tennis event in the United States. It will take place in March. In May, the National Women’s 50-90 Hard Court Championships will be featured. Thanks to Kellogg and his able staff, it’s easy to understand why Tennis Resorts Online selected the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, associated with the family name for four generations, as one of the Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the world.

--Mark Winters

The battle...hours and hours of training go into a single match, make sure when you get there that you're ready to go.

Training

After San Diego I took a few days off from training and with the information I gleaned from the ITF worlds was able to assess where I am and where I need to do in order to compete Nationally and Internationally. Jean Pierre Cote told me after our match that I have the tools, just need the brain power.

I played a match over the weekend and ran into one-time rival and BSU tennis great Ed Perkins. We talked about the time when as a College grad I played him. He had just graduated from High School...I killed him in the first set 6-1, may have humiliated him a bit, but he got real mad and beat me 6-1, 6-1. It was a devastating loss for a college player to loose to an incoming freshman, but I learned a valuable lesson, win quietly, win with dignity. You never want to give an opponent ammunition that can be used against you. I hyper sensitive about being a good winner, no fist pumps, no yelling, none of that bullshit.

Ed told me about a book called 'With Winning in Mind'...omg...this book is amazing. So Ive been reading and learning from an accomplished Olympic athlete...winning transcends all sport. So Im working this mental angle and already Im seeing results.

In the meantime Im doing 100 situps a day, 110 pushups, 150 curls, 55 shoulder presses...thats morning and night. I do 30 minutes of elliptical, circuit weights and play 5 times a week. Its really starting to pay off...Ive lost 2 inches off the waist and put on a lot of muscle mass.
Ill be swim-pool ready in June!

Looking back

Ive played a lot of players through the years...played the number 3 guy in the United States last year in the US Indoors and did well. This year I played the number 55 in the world, I did okay and I know with a few tweaks that I can compete and win points, and then games, sets, and finally matches. So its back to training and preparations for the US Indoors in May.

At the San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club I hit with a guy named Lee. 

His name was Jeff Lee. He was like a god walking amongst mere mortals. He had a forehand that could make a wolverine purr and tennis clothes so fine they made Borg look like a hobo. In other words, Jeff Lee was the balls."

What I love about SDTRC are the photos that line the wall leading to the weight room...near the photo of Angel and Steffi Graf you'll find the photo of Jeff Lee, looking dapper with the well known San Diego tennis pro...but the old school Borg-like sweat band is dated by todays standards. But god-damn! That Lee guy can hit a tennis ball...

The Hornblower

The tournament sponsored a dinner, dance and cruise tonight on the USS Hornblower in San Diego bay. It was so cool, all the teams from 26 nations sitting down to dinner and dance on a huge yacht. Sheryl, Kalina and I sat with Scott Sheppard, The McMannens, The Grajeda's it was great fun.
We boarded the ship, then had a big buffet dinner, after dinner the ship was transformed into a disco. Of course the first to dance were the Brazillians, the Europeans...only a few Americans...but the floor was packed and it wan an amazing, magical experience.

I went topside and spotted Geoff Martinez, the US number 4...we chatted for a while and he said he is going to try to play Boise this year. Louis, Bruce and Scott said they were going to play our tournament. Dinner conversation was lively and festive, Scott and Bruce knocked off the number one seeds in doubles just a few hours before, what an upset over a tough British team.

This has really been a week to remember. I had attended many pro tournaments back in my youth and wondered what it would be like to play a grand slam...this was the experience. It was the real deal and with a little luck I made it to the second round! I cant wait to see my world ranking next week!