George Johnson (johnsge01)

George Washington Johnson
(Dibo)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut 1923
• Final Game 1928
• Born April 20, 1890 in San Marcos, TX USA
• Died August 6, 1940 in Philadelphia, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

George "Dibo" Johnson was a Negro League outfielder from 1918-1928.

Johnson started his career in southern leagues as a pitcher. By the time he made it to the big time with the 1918 Hilldale Club, he was an outfielder. He hit .333 that season before breaking his left leg while sliding into third base once. Johnson fell to .294 in 1919; that year, he was 0 for 8 in exhibition play against Herb Pennock and Bob Shawkey. In 1920, George batted .229 for the regular season against other top black eastern clubs (there was still no organized league as such in the east) and was 4 for 23 against white major leaguers in exhibitions. In 1921, the strong-armed outfielder hit .277. He led the East with eight triples and tied for fourth with three triples. He fell to .254 in 1922.

In 1923, the Texan batted .243. His four triples tied Biz Mackey and Dick Lundy for fifth in the Eastern Colored League. He was 5 for 19 against white major leaguers (bringing him to 9-for-50), with a homer off Eddie Rommel a highlight. Johnson hit .250/~.320/.366 in 1924. In the 1924 Negro World Series, the 34-year-old was 8 for 27 against the Kansas City Monarchs. He hit .310 for the 1925 Hilldale club then was 6 for 21 in the 1925 Negro World Series.

In 1926 and 1927, Johnson was with the New York Lincoln Giants, hitting .310 the latter year. He spent four more years with lesser black teams. After baseball, he roomed with former teammate Phil Cockrell in Philadelphia. When Johnson died, Cockrell organized a fundraiser for a memorial tablet.

Sources

• The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
• The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues by John Holway

Notable Achievements

• ECL Total Bases Leader (1923)
• ECL Home Runs Leader (1923)
• ECL Runs Batted In Leader (1923)
• ECL Stolen Bases Leader (1923)
• Won one Negro World Series with the Hilldale Club in 1925