Earl Johnson

Note: This page links to Earl Johnson, the major league pitcher. For the owner by the same name, click here. For minor leaguers by the same name, click here.

Earl Douglas Johnson
(Lefty)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 3", Weight 190 lb.
• School Saint Mary's College of California
• High School Ballard High School (Seattle)
• Debut July 20, 1940
• Final Game June 3, 1951
• Born April 2, 1919 in Redmond, WA USA
• Died December 3, 1994 in Seattle, WA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Earl Johnson was a highly decorated World War II veteran with the Army 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. He enlisted in December of 1941 and was awarded a Silver and Bronze Star and was commissioned a lieutenant on the field for extraordinary valor in the Battle of the Bulge.

Johnson's citation for the bronze star read: "On September 30, 1944, in Germany, during heavy concentration of hostile fire, a friendly truck was struck by an enemy shell and had to be abandoned. The fact that the vehicle contained vital radio equipment made it imperative that it be recovered before falling into enemy hands. Sergeant Earl Johnson and several other members of his unit were assigned to this hazardous mission. They courageously braved severe hostile fire and were completely successful in dragging the vehicle over an area in plain view of the enemy.".

He pitched eight years for the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, two years at Saint Mary's College of California and four years in the minor leagues (three at AAA), losing four years to the military. For 44 years, he was associated with the Red Sox as a player and scout and signed such players as Ted Bowsfield, Mike Garman and Steve Lyons. He was an avid bowler and fisherman. He died at age 75 in Seattle, WA.

He is the brother of Chet Johnson.

Related Sites

• Earl Johnson at the SABR Bio Project