Major League Baseball

MLB History: Walter Johnson Signs with Federal League

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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One of the best players in MLB history, and the greatest player in the history of the Washington Senators, Walter Johnson almost ended his time in Washington D.C. before it began. On this day in 1914, Johnson signed with the Chicago Whales of the Federal League.

For two years, the Federal League competed with the MLB to be a professional league in its own right. With eight teams, and players for Major League teams signing up, the Federal League certainly established itself as a possible threat to the established Majors.

That threat became even more credible on this day in 1914. The Chicago Whales, looking to add to their already impressive roster which featured Joe Tinker and Mordecai Brown, signed Walter Johnson to a three year contract. He received a $6,000 bonus, and a salary of $17,500 per year, far more than the salary that the Senators wanted him to take. With other players, such as Eddie Plank and Chief Bender joining, the Federal League appeared ready to remain.

Naturally, the signing of Johnson by the Whales upset Clark Griffith, the owner of the Senators. He claimed to have paid Johnson for the reserve clause in his contract, thereby keeping him under team control. Griffith even threatened to take Johnson to court to enforce the reserve clause and to keep him from the Whales.

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Unfortunately, Griffith’s belief that Johnson should remain with the Senators proved to be unfounded. Not only did American League President Ban Johnson rule that Johnson was on the market, but that he was “damaged goods,” free to sign with the Federal League if he wanted.

However, Griffith was not about to give up. He continued to negotiate with Johnson, and eventually got him to sign to a three year deal worth $12,500 per season. Griffith also paid back the bonus that Johnson was given by the Whales, allowing him to retain his star pitcher. That would prove to be a great move, as Johnson continued to be a star in the Nation’s Capital.

It certainly would have changed the history of the Senators had Johnson left. While they were not the most successful franchise, he was a key part of their two World Series teams. The 1924 MVP, the Senators likely would not have made either appearance without his services. Had he remained with the Whales, there is no telling where Johnson would have ended up when the Federal League eventually folded.

Walter Johnson was one of the best pitchers in MLB history, and the greatest pitcher in Washington Senators history. On this day in 1914, he came close to joining the Federal League, and changing the history of the Senators.

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