Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 241, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1915 — LEARN JOHNSON IS BEATABLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

LEARN JOHNSON IS BEATABLE

Previous to This Season It Was Custom of Opposing Managers to Send Weak Pitchers Against HimThis looks as If it might be about the hardest year that Walter Johnson has had. There are seven clubs in the American league that are after him this year. When Johnson was at the peak of his game he had the American league rolling over and playing dead for him. It was the understanding that when Johnson pitched he was sure to win, so the managers got into the habit of sending in weak pitchers to oppose him. In those days the Washington club got runs for Johnson. It’s another story now. The other seven clubs have learned that Johnson is beatable; that if one keeps his eyes open and his muscles taut he is likely to be able to whang the ball

back as fast as it comes up. To beat Johnson gives a club prestige. So the attitude of the seven managers has changed. They used to say when Johnson started pitching. “Well, here’s a game gone.” Now they send in their strongest pitchers and fight harder against Johnson than against any other pitcher. The Washington club finds it harder to make runs for Johnson than any other of its pitchers, and the Kansas comet is learning that the life of the conspicuous is not always & happy one. ... —- ———-~

Walter Johnson.