Walter Johnson was pitching for the Weiser “semi-pro” team in the Idaho State League. The 19-year old hurler was so dominating that he caught the attention of many Major League scouts from the east. In late June the Washington Senators Manager Joe Cantillion sent injured catcher Cliff Blankenship to Idaho to scout the young phenom. Cantillion told Blankenship who was not known to be a great hitter to take his bat on the trip. Cantillion tells Blankenship that if he can manage to hit a foul ball off the young Johnson, to leave him in Idaho. A few days later, Blankenship sends a telegram to his skipper saying, “you can’t hit what you can’t see. I’ve signed him and he is on his way.” In fact, Walter was not on his way.
He told Blankenship he would only sign if the Senators agreed to let him play for Weiser through the end of their season. On June 29th the Washington Senators signed Walter Johnson to a contract that paid him $350 a month, a $100 bonus and train fare. On July 21, 1907 Walter Johnson left Spokane on his way to the Nation’s Capital. Two weeks later, on August 2nd, Walter Johnson makes his Major League debut against the Detroit Tigers. I personally consider August 2, 1907 one of the greatest days in D.C. Baseball History. I have proclaimed August 2, 2007 the 100-year anniversary of Walter Johnson’s Washington Senators debut as Big Train Day. *Quick Fact: Cliff Blankenship also signs Clyde “Deerfoot” Milan to a contract. Milan will play his first game as a Senator on August 19, 1907. Clyde and Walter were roommates on the road for most of Clyde’s 16-year career.
