Walter Johnson remains one of the most impressive pitchers in baseball history, and he last took the mound in 1927.

“The Big Train” Walter Johnson

Over the course of his amazing 21-year career, all played with the Washington Senators, Johnson amassed jaw-dropping statistics, set records and perhaps most importantly “became the symbol of gentlemanly conduct in the heat of battle,” according to sports writer Shirley Povich.

Here are seven reasons you should know Johnson, nicknamed “The Big Train” and born Nov. 6, 1887 in Humboldt, Kan.

The Wins

He had 417 wins over his career, an amazing number eclipsed only by Cy Young’s likely unreachable 511.

The Shutouts

Johnson also threw 110 complete game shutouts. Only one pitcher – Pete Alexander – is anywhere near that amount, with 90. Third place is Christy Mathewson with 79. That one record, more than any other, shows Johnson’s complete domination.

They Named A School After Him

The Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Maryland, is named after Johnson. Even better, the school yearbook is called “The Windup” and the school newspaper is called “The Pitch.” The home page for the school still features pictures of Johnson. When the school opened in 1956, Johnson was the only former Major League Baseball player to have a school named after him.

He Scared Ty Cobb – A Little

Ty Cobb, the Detroit Tigers legend who played the game with a ferocious style, faced Walter Johnson in his debut on Aug. 2, 1907. Cobb, who never admitted to being afraid of anything, said that Johnson’s fastball “made me flinch” and “hissed with danger,” according to the Society for American Baseball Research.

The 20-Win Seasons

Johnson had 12 20-win seasons. He also had 7 seasons where we won more than 25. And he had two seasons where he won more than 30 games. That includes his 36-win 1913 season.

He Was A Gentleman

For all his dominance, Johnson is also best remembered as being, well, just a good guy. He was modest and carried himself with dignity. According to the Society for American Baseball Research, he never argued with umpires, berated teammates or brushed back hitters. He also never got into brawls or hung out in saloons during an age when players did those things a lot.

Personal Tragedy

Off the field, after his retirement, Johnson suffered tragedy when his wife, Hazel, died at just 36 years old from exhaustion after a cross country drive through brutal summer heat. Johnson himself died relatively young, at the age of 59 in 1946, from complications involving a brain tumor.

To this day, Johnson remains the gold standard for pitchers. Not just for his blazing fastball and incredible career achievements, but also for his conduct both on and off the field.