On Monday night, Filmmaker Aaron Thompson premiered his newest project – Preserving the Big Train: A Family's Gift to Humboldt. Hank Thomas is the grandson of MLB legend – Walter Johnson. Allie Utley's grandfather, Dick Davis, worked tirelessly to preserve the history of George Sweatt. The film follows Thomas and Utley – two people of different generations working to preserve baseball history in a museum in Humboldt, Kansas.
The film's screening was an exclusive event reserved for a few invited to witness this significant moment in preserving baseball history.
Both Utley and Thomas were in attendance for the film's screening.
Walter "The Big Train" Johnson was among the first inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He's considered MLB's all-time leader in career shutouts, meaning the pitcher completes a game without allowing the opposing team to score a run. According to ESPN's record, he is the only pitcher in significant league history to strike out over 3,500 batters.
George Sweatt was a World War I veteran and Pittsburg State University Alum. He was the first PSU Black athlete to letter in four sports. Sweatt played for the Kansas City Monarch and Chicago American Giants, appearing in the four Negro World Series.
Johnson and Sweatt were both born in Humboldt, Kansas, and played professional baseball in the 1920s. They are also both considered giants in Kansas baseball history.
Utley's grandfather, Dick Davis, worked to preserve Humboldt, Kansas, baseball history and the legacy of Sweatt. One of his accomplishments was building a sign that dedicated the small town to being the birthplace of both Walter Johnson and George Sweatt.
Utley explains that growing up, she was proud of the sign her grandfather helped make. As it weathered, the pride diminished – but it gave her an idea.
"I became a community organizer; I had the skills and the resources to fix it. So, at first, I think it was more of an obligation to me; it was like, 'Oh, I've got to do this.'
A brand-new sign was erected in 2023 in honor of Walter Johnson. She followed in her grandfather's footsteps as she spearheaded the rebuilding.
Thompson originally got the idea for the film from Utley's effort to build a new sign dedicated to Humboldt's baseball legends.
"Once I got into the story, I realized it wasn't about a sign, it was more than that," he said.
After the film, Utley shared the news of finding and securing a building for the future museum.
During a Q&A session after the film, Thompson mentioned how he wished he could've asked Davis about Sweatt's history. During research for the film, he found a quote from the former PSU Dean of Service, Randy Roberts.
"He said, on the record, that if it weren't for Dick, there would be no George Sweat Hall of Fame," explained Thomspon.
Utley's grandfather passed away in 2011 after a battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Before he passed away, he donated several artifacts from Johnson and Sweatt's years to the Leonard Axe Library on PSU's campus.
The library's special collections department allowed Thompson to find several artifacts and films for his documentary.
Thomas, now 79, has written a book about his grandfather's life, saying he was inspired to write it by 'the bug.'
"I'm sure everybody has experienced that, or has something they had a passion for, or developed a passion for, you know, and just wanted to do more of it," he explained.
While his grandfather died the same year he was born, Thomas's mother could recall detailed stories about her upbringing with a famous baseball player of a father. He could tell stories about what his grandfather was like, on and off the field.
Thomas detailed stories of his mother and aunt meeting legendary Babe Ruth.
According to Thomas, their personal life was full of strife. He lost his beloved wife suddenly and raised his children and his sister's children by himself.
But Thomas speaks fondly of his grandfather, saying it never diminished his character.
"On the day of his funeral, Bucky Harris, his former manager – said, oh my god, what a sweet guy," he adds.
The film was part of Thompson's project for his graduate studies in the communications program at PSU. He currently serves as the university's videographer and has over a decade of experience with TV stations such as KOAM-TV, KWCH-TV, and KSHB-TV.
