Spud Johnson

James Ralph Johnson

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 9", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut April 18, 1889
• Final Game August 8, 1891
• Born December, 1856 in CAN

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Biographical Information

Spud Johnson played three years in the major leagues, having an excellent season in the 1890 American Association. He also played in the minors at Topeka, Kansas City and Rochester.

Whether he was born in 1856 or in 1860, he was one of the earliest Canadians in the big leagues, and yet he was fairly old by the time he made his debut.

Through 2008 the two other major leaguers with the first name Spud are Spud Davis and Spud Chandler. Johnson was by far the first to come to the majors.

He was often called Ralph Johnson. He was a bit of an entrepreneur, putting together running and walking contests, and at one point running a vaudeville company.