Walter Johnson's grave

[eddiejc1]

Last week I visited the cemetary where Walter Johnson is buried. It is Rockville Union Cemetary (although the sign just says "Rockville Cemetary"). Unfortunately, there was nobody in the one office I found so there was nobody who could tell me where his grave is located. (From pics I have seen it is a very simple marker, consistent with one of the most modest Hall of Famers who ever lived.) Has anybody visited it, and if so, can you give pointers as to which part of the cemetary to visit? Thanks!

(One place I found on the web gives the precise longitude, but unfortunately I no longer own a portable GPS device.)

Eddie Cunningham (on Firefox---finally!)

[westsidegrounds]

Not directions, but

A picture, found on thedeadballera.com

[eddiejc1]

I found his grave today, with the help of the lady (caretaker?) living at the cemetary. Somebody put a small plastic wreath near his graveston marker and on the larger tombstone which simply says "Johnson" there was an old gray baseball cap which said "KNIGHTS" and a ratty old baseball on top of it.

Later this week I'll return and take pictures. I'd like to leave a Nationals pennant on the grave if that is allowed...

Eddie Cunningham

[Bob Hannah]

I read an article on this within the past 12-18 months but can't remember where I saw it. Maybe in the Sunday Post magazine. Looking forward to your pictures.

Have you been to Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda? The Walter Johnson memorial that Clark Griffith installed at Griffith Stadium after Walter's death was placed there after his stadium was demolished. There are many knowledgeable staff members at the school that keep Johnson's legacy alive, not only as a ballplayer but as a person. I also visited his former residence, which is designated a local historic site.

Go here.

[eddiejc1]

Funny thing is that when Walter Johnson died, most baseball writers then agreed that his record for most career strikeouts was unassailable. Well, not only has WJ's record been broken, but he is now in NINTH place. Granted, all of the people ahead of him are Hall of Famers or shoo-ins with one notable exception---Bert Blyleven. (Bly11 probably should be in, but he has been hurt by all the losing teams he pitched for in Cleveland---something WJ can sympathise with even though he was fired as the Indians' manager in the 30's.) Still, how is it that WJ's "unassailable" strikeout record seems to be so easily reached by modern day pitchers, yet nobody can approach his amount of wins? (Heck, forget about winning 400 games. Roger Clemens may be the last pitcher to reach 300!)

Eddie Cunningham

[HDH]

I remember that even in the 1970s, Walter Johnson's SO record was untouchable. I remember Steve Carlton and Nolan Ryan broke the record about the same time then each one of them held the new record back and forth, depending who most recently pitched.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Walter's Grave

I live fairly close to Rockville and would like to visit Walter Johnson's grave one day. I played a lot of high school baseball games at Walter Johnson High. Hey Eddiejc1,I have your Senators cap logo tattooed on my chest with the Senators,in script,underneath it. It's red and white,of course!

[Atlanta Cracker]

Walter Johnson's grave

I visited the grave of Walter Johnson today - it is easy to find. If you approach the Rockville Union Cemetery from the west on Old Baltimore Road, the entrance is just below that for the Rockville Civic Center, on the left. Go past the "caretaker's house" and proceed around the loop to the left. If you enter the loop at about 10:00 on a clockface, Walter's grave is at about the 4:00 position, on the upper road loop. The same hats and balls are there. I think I'll buy a new Washington cap for him, and maybe plant a few flags there. It is very peaceful, but I couldn't have picked a hotter day to visit - just miserable here in Maryland!

[Baseball Guru]

I found this info:



Rockville Union Cemetery, 1 mile east of Highway 28 on Baltimore Road, Rockville, Maryland
(Latitude: N 39º 05’ 06.0”, Longitude W 77º 07’ 31.3”)

Not sure if this actually helps anyone