Walter Johnson Struck Out 9 Batters In 15-Inning Marathon

Published on March 26th, 2025 2:47 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


It was opening day at Griffith Stadium on April 13th, 1926, as the Washington Senators hosted the Philadelphia Athletics.

Despite being 38 years old and nearing the end of his storied career, Walter Johnson was the best pitcher on the Senators' staff.

Little did Johnson know that he was in for a LONG day, and little did he know that we would talk about his performance nearly 100 years later.

Back in those days, there was no bullpen. Starters weren't usually pulled after five or six innings. A procession of relief pitchers wasn't used.

Back then, starting pitchers usually stayed in for the entire game.

Walter Johnson was used to the pressure on his arm, having thrown more than 5,000 innings throughout his career.

On April 13th, 1926, Johnson would add another 15 innings to his total, remaining in for the entire marathon 15-inning game.

Throughout the 1-0 Senators win, Johnson tossed 15 innings, struck out nine, walked three, and gave up just six hits. Despite nearing the age of 40 and throwing for the equivalent of a complete game and a half, Johnson never wavered, continuing to punch out his opponents.

Eddie Rommel, the starting pitcher for the Athletics, also had a fantastic day, throwing 14.1 innings before giving up the game-winning home run to Joe Harris with one out in the ninth inning.

Even though the game lasted for nearly 15 innings, the game took just 2 hours and 33 minutes to complete, as the batters had no answer for both Johnson and Rommel.

-

Johnson finished the season with a record of 15-16, a severe dropoff from his previous two seasons.

Johnson would play one more season in 1927 before hanging up his cleats.

Johnson would eventually be inducted into the Hall of Fame after winning MVP twice and claiming the ERA title five times.