Johnson City was not named for Walter Johnson

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee -- Walter Johnson is arguably the greatest pitcher in Major League baseball history.  His final record was 416 wins and 279 losses while pitching for the Washington Senators from 1907 - 1927.  Johnson was one of the five original inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.  Noted as a gentleman in a rough and tumble era of sports, Walter Johnson was a great American sports hero and a role model for baseball fans of his era..

Although any city or other entity should be proud to be named for Walter Johnson, there is no connection between this famous athlete and Johnson City, Tennessee.

While Walter Johnson was pitching his way to the Hall of Fame in Washington, Johnson City residents were enjoying a stirring brand of semi-pro baseball at the National Soldiers Home as evidenced by the photo below.  The baseball field existed adjacent to the National Cemetery until 2001 when it was removed to allow expansion for the Cemetery.

Baseball Hall of Fame