Bobby Johnson

Bobby Earl Johnson

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 195 lb.
• High School Justin F. Kimball High School
• Debut September 1, 1981
• Final Game October 1, 1983
• Born July 31, 1959 in Dallas, TX USA

BR page

Biographical Information

The nephew of Ernie Banks, catcher Bobby Johnson played three years in the majors with the Texas Rangers. He is sometimes called Bob Johnson.

Johnson was selected by the Rangers in the 9th round of the 1977 amateur draft and made his pro debut that summer with the GCL Rangers. With the Wausau Timbers in 1979, he hit .303 with a career-high 24 homers. After hitting .263 with 20 home runs for the Wichita Aeros in 1981, he earned a September call-up to the majors that year, clubbing 2 homers in 6 games for Texas. He spent most of 1982 back at AAA (hitting 22 home runs for the Denver Bears) but got into 20 games for the Rangers. He then spent the entire 1983 campaign in the big leagues, backing up Jim Sundberg behind the plate while hitting .211 with 5 home runs.

Released by Texas in the spring of 1984, Johnson played his final two seasons in the New York Yankees chain.

In addition to Banks, Johnson is also the uncle of NBA player Acie Law.

Johnson was profiled in 2002 by Al Pepper in a book entitled Mendoza's Heroes, which details one man's opinion of the fifty greatest batters ever to hit below .200. Johnson finished his career at .196.