Johnny Edwards

John Alban Edwards

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 220 lb.
• School Ohio State University
• High School West High School (Columbus)
• Debut June 27, 1961
• Final Game October 2, 1974
• Born June 10, 1938 in Columbus, OH USA

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Biographical Information

Johnny Edwards was an excellent catcher in his fourteen-year career who played no other position than catcher in the majors and who won two Gold Gloves. As a hitter, his best year was 1965, when he hit .267 for the Cincinnati Reds in a league that hit .249. His .474 slugging average that year was exactly 100 points above the National League average.

Edwards spent his first seven major league seasons with the Reds, and was a rookie during their surprise 1961 pennant-winning year. Although he hit only .186 in 52 games during the regular season, he hit .364 in the 1961 World Series.

He spent a year with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968, backing up Tim McCarver, but had only one at-bat in the 1968 World Series. The 18-year-old Ted Simmons also appeared in two games at catcher for the team and would soon make Edwards expendable.

The rest of his major league career was with the Houston Astros. His OBP in 1972 was .358, well above the league average that year of .315.

Notable Achievements

• 3-time NL All-Star (1963-1965)
• 2-time NL Gold Glove Winner (1963 & 1964)

Records Held

• Putouts, catcher, season, 1135, 1969

Related Sites

• Johnny Edwards at the SABR Bio Project