The Two Pitches Walter Johnson Would Take Back

By September 29, 1913, the Washington Senators had been eliminated from the pennant race in the American League. The Boston Red Sox were in town for a meaningless game.

The game was played in Washington D. C., in front of a small crowd that included 6000 servicemen from military bases in the area. The soldiers had brought their own band, which played tunes to amuse themselves. The game took on the atmosphere of a comedy.

The Washington manager, Clark Griffith, rotated players in his lineup. Even the great pitcher, Walter Johnson, played center field.

In the top of the ninth, Washington seemed to have a safe lead of 10 to 3. Boston almost caught up by scoring six runs, making the score 10 to 9. Manager Griffith then brought in Walter Johnson to pitch. In the spirit of the game, he faced two batters and lobbed two fat pitches, which were turned into base hits. Both runners scored and were charged to Johnson's Earned Run Average (ERA.)

As Jack Cavanaugh wrote in his excellent biography, WALTER JOHNSON A LIFE, there was a price Walter Johnson “paid for an afternoon's frolic.”

Before that game, Walter Johnson had compiled an ERA of 1.09. However, the two earned runs the Johnson gave up in the “farce game” drove his ERA up from 1.09 to 1.14. Still, this was a record that lasted for 55 years.

Fast-forward to the 1968 baseball season, “the year of the pitcher.” Bob Gibson posts a 1.12 ERA. This becomes the all-time standard for a season’s earned run average, surpassing Walter Johnson’s 1.12.

Two teeny, tiny runs in a meaningless ballgame, but they were enough to mark a difference. Walter Johnson is forever relegated to having the second greatest season in terms of ERA of all time.

Decisions have consequences. A night of drinking can lead to an automobile accident and cause a lifetime of disability. One can engage in an indiscriminate, sexual act, and can contract a sexually transmitted disease for life. A marriage decision based upon passion and fantasy can create a marriage of heartache and loneliness. An unethical legal practice can lead to permanent disbarment. Texting on a cell phone while driving can lead to deadly car accident.

Wisdom requires recognition of consequences.

Prov. 20:25 It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows. ESV