Don Johnson (johnsdo03)

Donald Roy Johnson

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 200 lb.
• High School Jefferson High School (Portland)
• Debut April 20, 1947
• Final Game September 24, 1958
• Born November 12, 1926 in Portland, OR USA
• Died February 10, 2015 in Portland, OR USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Don Johnson, a teenage phenom in American Legion baseball in Portland, Oregon, was just 16 years of age when he signed as an amateur free agent with the New York Yankees in 1943. Following two years in the United States Military during World War II the young righthander spent the entire 1947 season going 4-3 in 15 games for the World Champion Yankees.

After two more years in the minor leagues, he began 1950 back in the Bronx but was traded to the St. Louis Browns early in the season and then went on to the Washington Senators in 1951.

Johnson's best year came with the Chicago White Sox in 1954 at 8-7, including three shutouts and an ERA of 3.13. He was also with the Baltimore Orioles in 1955 and last with the San Francisco Giants in 1958, closing out at 27-38.

In the book The Original San Francisco Giants Don recalled the 1957 season when he won 20 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs and was named the Pitcher of the Year in the International League. "I'm not going to lie. I had a lot of trouble with liquor when I was playing ball. Teams would keep giving me a chance and I'd go back and forth with it. Jack Kent Cooke owned the Toronto team and paid us well, and every time I won a game I'd get money under the table. San Francisco bought me, but I wish they'd have left me in Toronto. I really loved that town."

Johnson had 9 active seasons in the minors, winning 86 and losing 98 with a 4.67 ERA. He last pitched for his hometown team, the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League in 1960. Don talked about his driving a cab after his years in baseball. "I drove a cab for 25 years. In 1967 I was shot in the head when a guy held me up for 19 bucks, but I survived. They caught the guy and he pleaded insanity. They gave him 25 years to life, but he was out in six months."

Notable Achievements

• 1957 Pitcher of the Year International League Toronto Maple Leafs
• Won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 1947 (he did not play in the World Series)

Sources

Baseball Players of the 1950s

Related Sites

• Don Johnson at the SABR Bio Project