(LOT 276)
c.1913 Walter Johnson Original PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Photo – Measures Approx. 4-3/4" x 6-1/2" – Incl. PSA Type 1 LOA
1913 BIG TRAIN!!!... Dated September 25, 1913, this remarkable 1913 Walter Johnson PSA Type 1 photo portrays the iconic Hall of Fame right-hander loosening up on the sidelines before his start against the New York Yankees at the Polo Grounds. In 1913, the Yankees switched their home park from Hilltop Park to the Polo Grounds, where they world play their home games until Yankee Stadium was opened in 1923. On this particular autumn day, the legendary Big Train would turn the Yankee's bats to sawdust via his side-arm blazing fastball, with Johnson beating the Yanks by a 5-2 score to claim his astounding 35th victory of the season. Walter would toss a nine-inning complete game, striking out seven while allowing only four hits and one earned run, maintaining his incredible 1.12 league-leading ERA.

Indeed, the 1913 campaign would be Johnson's greatest season ever, with the 6'1" twirler capturing the first of his eventual three pitching Triple Crown's, leading the league in virtually every pitching category including wins (36), strikeouts (243), ERA (1.14), winning percentage (.837); complete games (29) and shutouts (11)! Measuring approximately 4-3/4" x 6-1/2", while the photo exhibits an abundance of soiled areas, scattered wrinkles and a lower left edge chip, most significantly, the breathtaking Walter Johnson sepia pitching pose has remained primarily unscathed. The final exclamation point is the eloquently scripted "Polo Grounds – September 25, 1913" notation near the verso's upper edge, with additional stray areas of soiling/toning evident on the flip side. Arguably the finest season ever complied by any pitcher, Johnson would ultimately win 417 games and toss 110 shutouts (both modern day records), in an unparalleled career that earned him the title of "baseball's greatest all-time pitcher".

MIN BID $200
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