Cliff Johnson

Clifford Johnson Jr.
(Heathcliff)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 225 lb.
• High School Phillis Wheatley High School
• Debut September 13, 1972
• Final Game September 30, 1986
• Born July 22, 1947 in San Antonio, TX USA

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Biographical Information

Cliff Johnson was a man without a position. He came up with the Houston Astros in 1972 as a catcher-first baseman. He lacked the arm to be a catcher and the range to play first base, but he had plenty of power at the plate. He was also tried in left field.

In his career, Johnson hit .283 against left-handed pitching but just .238 against right-handers. With the advent of the designated hitter, Johnson found success with the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Oakland A's, Texas Rangers, and Toronto Blue Jays as a platoon player. He also played a half season with the Chicago Cubs. He was the long-time holder of the record for home runs by a pinch hitter with 21; he was caught and passed by Matt Stairs in 2010. The record had been held by Jerry Lynch before Johnson.

Johnson was excellent at drawing walks. His major league on-base percentage was nearly 100 points higher than his batting average.

On the 1985 Blue Jays, he wore #00 while teammate Al Oliver wore #0. This is the only instance of teammates wearing #00 and #0. (While the 1995 Reds had Curtis Goodwin and Ron Oester wear #00 and #0, respectively, Oester was a coach, not a player.)

He played for the Gold Coast Suns of the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. In 47 games, he hit .290 with 2 home runs.

He is the brother-in-law of Mike Easler, and the cousin of Elijah Johnson, a minor league infielder/outfielder from 1961-1972.

Notable Achievements

• 1970 MVP Carolina League Raleigh-Durham Triangles
• 1973 MVP American Association Denver Bears
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 4 (1975, 1977, 1979 & 1983)
• Won two World Series with the New York Yankees (1977 & 1978)