By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Documentary highlights baseball legends and small-town determination
20250430-183144-327-250501Documentary 2.jpg
From left, Hank Thomas Allie Utley and Aaron Thompson answer questions from the audience after a screening of “Preserving The Big Train: A Family’s Gift to Humboldt” which was created by Thompson. Thomas is the grandson of Walter Johnson, a famous baseball pitcher in the 1920s. - photo by Antjea Wolff
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Filmmaker and Pittsburg State University graduate student Aaron Thompson unveiled his latest project Monday evening to a select group of individuals. His documentary, “Preserving The Big Train: A Family’s Gift to Humboldt,” features the story of Allie Utley working to preserve the legacy of Walter Johnson, a famous baseball pitcher from 1907 to 1927 who was born in Humboldt. Johnson was nicknamed “The Big Train” because of his size and the speed of his fastball.