WASHINGTON -- The Nationals had Walter Johnson Day at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on Thursday night and for good reason. He was one of the greatest pitchers in Washington Senators history.

Throughout the game between the Nationals and Reds, Johnson's stats could be seen on the scoreboard -- 421 wins, 531 complete games and 3,509 strikeouts.

Nationals manager Manny Acta looked at the scoreboard numerous times and couldn't believe what he saw regarding Johnson's stats.

"It's unbelievable," Acta said. "We spent the nine innings just being amazed at everything he did. [Hitting coach] Lenny [Harris] is screaming in my ear, 'We don't have one complete game yet. This guy had more than 500.' I just don't see anybody else again winning 400 games and doing the kind of stuff he did."

Washington left-hander Mike Bacsik will never be compared to Johnson. Bacsik is a journeyman pitcher, who has won only nine Major League games during his short career. But on the day the Nationals were honoring the man known as "Big Train," Bacsik had his third consecutive quality start and helped Washington defeat Cincinnati, 7-3...

On 'Big Train's' Day, Bacsik Keeps Rolling
Nationals 7, Reds 3

By Barry Svrluga
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 3, 2007; Page E01

As the numbers flashed across the scoreboard in right field between innings -- 417 wins, 110 shutouts, a 2.17 ERA -- Washington Nationals hitting coach Lenny Harris was in the ear of his team's manager, Manny Acta. For goodness' sake, was Harris's sentiment. The Nationals' entire team -- which has featured 23 pitchers this season -- doesn't have a single complete game all year. Walter Johnson had 531 for his career, not to mention 38 in one season.

"That's history right there," the Nationals' resident historian, first baseman Dmitri Young, said afterward.

Such was the backdrop for the Nationals' 7-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds last night, a win that finished off a three-game sweep, featured seven solid innings from lefty Mike Bacsik -- as polar opposite a pitcher as there could be from the fire-balling Johnson -- as well as a 3-for-5 night from third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who drove in three runs.

But in a town that is just reacquainting itself with its baseball history, the 100th anniversary of Johnson's first appearance for the Washington Senators brought a chance for the team and its fans to reflect on "The Big Train's" Hall of Fame career. The club wore white hats, replicas from the 1927 season, the last of Johnson's 21 years in the majors, all with Washington.

Bacsik's résumé: 36 major league appearances, and last night he nailed down his 10th win. Just 407 to go.

"Those are some of the records that will never -- never ever -- be broken," Acta said afterward. "I just don't see anybody else again winning 400 games and doing the kind of stuff he did."

Nationals remain on winning track

By Mark Zuckerman
August 3, 2007

They wore white hats, circa 1927, in honor of the greatest pitcher to call the District home. They spent the entire evening paying tribute to a man hardly anyone in the crowd of 26,223 at RFK Stadium had a chance to see in person.

Walter Johnson probably would have scoffed at all the hubbub over the 100th anniversary of his debut with the Senators. "The Big Train" would have been far more interested in the ballgame playing out before his eyes, and in that respect, perhaps the Nationals' greatest tribute to Johnson last night was their convincing 7-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds...

Few spectators last night were more touched by the Johnson tribute than Washington's first-year manager, who caught the ceremonial first pitch from the Hall of Fame hurler's grandson, Henry Thomas. Thomas and his mother, Carolyn Johnson Thomas, were presented with a placard bearing the legendary right-hander's name that will hang at the Nationals' new ballpark next season.

More impressive to Acta, though, were the between-innings video tributes that highlighted some of Johnson's career achievements: 417 wins, a 2.17 ERA, 531 complete games.

"[Hitting coach Lenny Harris] is screaming in my ears: 'We don't have one complete game yet! This guy had 500!' " Acta said. "He couldn't believe every one of those achievements that he did. Those are some of the records that will never, never, ever be broken."

What Johnson would have thought of the actual pitching performances in last night's game is uncertain. By today's standards, Mike Bacsik's seven-inning, three-run start was impressive. In 1907, that wouldn't have cut it.

But if nothing else, Johnson would have appreciated the way Bacsik (5-6) shook off some early mistakes to earn his third straight win...

By night's end, the Washington ballclub gathered in the middle of the diamond to celebrate another win. Somewhere, Walter Johnson was smiling.

As Bacsik put it: "It was an honor getting to wear the hat that he got to wear."