27 best MLB nicknames of all-time
23. “Big Train” Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson arrived in the major leagues in 1907, and carried the torch from Cy Young as baseball’s most dominant pitcher.
Johnson was easily the premier power pitcher of his generation. He was so overpowering on the mound that iconic sportswriter Grantland Rice nicknamed him “Big Train”, a reference to his elite fastball and imposing physical frame.
He posted a sub-2.00 ERA 11 times during his career, and picked up two American League MVP awards 11 years apart. Johnson also led the Washington Senators to their first World Series title in 1924. It was the only time that the franchise would win the Fall Classic before relocating to Minnesota in 1961.
Johnson was a member of the first Baseball Hall of Fame class in 1936. He was joined in the group by fellow all-time greats Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner.
His career resume ranks among the greatest of any MLB pitcher in history. Johnson is second all-time in career wins (417), third in wins above replacement (165.6), fourth in strikeouts per nine innings (4.32) and 12th in ERA (2.17). With these impressive numbers to his credit, it is safe to say that Walter “Big Train” Johnson earned his namesake.
Next: 22. The Ryan Express