Don Johnson (pitcher)
| Don Johnson | |||
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| Pitcher | |||
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Born: November 12, 1926 Portland, Oregon | |||
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Died: February 10, 2015 (aged 88) Portland, Oregon | |||
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| MLB debut | |||
| April 20, 1947, for the New York Yankees | |||
| Last MLB appearance | |||
| September 24, 1958, for the San Francisco Giants | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 27–38 | ||
| Strikeouts | 262 | ||
| ERA | 4.78 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Donald Roy Johnson (November 12, 1926 – February 10, 2015) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The 6'3", 200 lb. right-hander was signed by the New York Yankees before the 1944 season, and he played for the Yankees (1947, 1950), St. Louis Browns (1950–1951), Washington Senators (1951–1952), Chicago White Sox (1954), Baltimore Orioles (1955), and San Francisco Giants (1958).
Johnson made his major league debut on April 20, 1947, starting game 2 of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics at Shibe Park. He was the winning pitcher in the 10-inning, 3-2 Yankee victory, and went on to have a 4-3 record for the 1947 World Series Champions.
Johnson pitched both as a starter and in relief during his long, well-traveled career. His best season statistically was in 1954 with the White Sox. He won 8, lost 7, had a 3.12 earned run average, and finished in the American League Top ten in games pitched, saves, and shutouts.
Career totals include a record of 27-38 in 198 games, 70 games started, 17 complete games, 5 shutouts, 62 games finished, 12 saves, and an ERA of 4.78. He had a rather high WHIP of 1.580 in 631 innings pitched.
Johnson led the International League with 156 strikeouts and a 2.67 ERA while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1953. He was voted the IL's most valuable pitcher in 1957.
References
- 1955 Baseball Register published by The Sporting News
Sources
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference