November 6 - The Big Train Walter Johnson - This Day in Baseball - The Daily Rewind

Vintage Baseball Reflections

• Events that happened on November 6 This Day in Baseball history. November 6 , 1887 Walter Johnson was born on this day in 1887. Considered by many to be the greatest right-hander in baseball history, Johnson was the hardest thrower of his time. He was a phenomenally successful pitcher on often terrible Washington Senators’ teams. As a veteran, he anchored the only Senators’ World Series winning club, in 1924. He and Christy Mathewson were the first pitchers inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was known as the “Big Train” and in later years, upon seeing Bob Feller throw his hard one, Johnson admitted that he had thrown harder in his day. Johnson is the greatest player to ever play for the Washington Senators, debuting on August 2, 1907, against the Detroit Tigers and Ty Cobb. “He’s got a gun concealed about his person. They can’t tell me he throws them balls with his arm.” – Famed writer Ring Lardner wrote of Johnson
• Sam Rice tells the truth about game 3 of the 1925 World Series - On November 6, 1974, the contents of a letter written by the late Sam Rice to the Hall of Fame are revealed in Cooperstown, New York. In the letter, Rice, who had instructed the letter be opened after his death, says that he did successfully make a disputed catch in the 1925 World Series.
• Bud Selig goes toe to toe with the players association - November 6, 2001 — Denying it’s a negotiating ploy, major league owners give commissioner Bud Selig the authority to “begin the process” of eliminating two ‘to be announced’ teams by a 28-2 vote. Donald Fehr, the Players Association executive director, calls the action of possibly eliminating the Expos, Twins, or Marlins most imprudent and unfortunate, and the worst manner in which to begin the process of negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. We had hoped that we were in a new era, one that would see a much better relationship between players and owners. Today’s announcement is a severe blow to such hopes.
• November 6, 1950, Branch Rickey signs a five-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates after selling his 25 per cent interest in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ franchise. On October 26, Rickey had resigned as Brooklyn’s president, giving way to Walter O’Malley. Rickey will serve as the Pirates’ general manager and executive vice-president. The ‘Mahatma’s’ magic doesn’t seem to work, as the Bucs will compile a 269-501 record (.349) during his tenure in Pittsburgh.