Walter Johnson w/ San Diego Pickwicks

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Posted By: Kevin

I am a San Diego collector and I am looking for some information. Does any card exist that pictures Walter Johnson as a member of the San Diego Pickwicks?

Thank you for your time.

Kevin

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Posted By: dennis

kevin, here is a list of all johnsons cards,i believe they are all in a washington senators uniform.
http://members.aol.com/METSBWD/hofers.html

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Posted By: Kevin

Dennis,

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Kevin

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Posted By: Joe D.

I hope someone does post an image.

For now, here is one close...

Walter - part of the Santa Ana All Stars (same league around the same time I believe)

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Posted By: Kevin

Joe D.

Thank you as well.

[ledsters]

It's been awhile. An one have a picture or card that shows Walter Johnson on the San Diego Pickwicks?

Thank you,

Kevin (San Diego collector)

[Steve D]

Kevin,

There's a book by Bill Swank titled "Baseball in San Diego From the Plaza to the Padres. It was written in 2005. There's a picture on Pages 56 and 57 that includes Walter Johnson and Chief Meyers, along with 10 other Pickwick players and the manager. The caption indicates it was taken in 1907 at Bay View Park.
I believe the Padres sell it in their Petco Park giftshop.

Steve

[ledsters]

Thank you!

[Hankphenom]

It's also in my book, "Walter Johnson, Baseball's Big Train." I think I got my copy from the San Diego Historical Society, perhaps you can buy a print from them. Johnson's short stint with the Pickwicks, when they played the Los Angeles Angels PCL champions for the "Championship of Southern California," is a great story. I've always thought that Johnson accepted the invitation to play in the series to prove a point to Pop Dillon, the Angels' manager, who had rejected Johnson, with with some unkind words about him, after a tryout with the Angels several months earlier. In the meantime, Johnson had been discovered by the Senators toiling away in Weiser, Idaho, had gone to Washington for the last two months of the American League season, and had made quite a splash. He did prove a point to Dillon, by the way, who was also derided in the San Diego press as "The man who let Walter Johnson get away."

[Steve D]

Great story Hank; Thanks!

Now, I'll never look at my T212 Obak Pop Dillon card the same again.

Steve