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Darrell Johnson
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Darrell Dean Johnson (August 25, 1928 – May 3, 2004) was an American professional catcher, coach, manager and scout in Major League Baseball (MLB). As a manager, he led the 1975 Boston Red Sox to the American League pennant, and was named "Manager of the Year" by both The Sporting News[1] and the Associated Press.[2][3]

Key Information

Playing career

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Johnson was born in Horace, Nebraska, and graduated from Harvard, Nebraska, High School in 1944. He was signed by the St. Louis Browns as an amateur free agent in 1949 and made his Major League debut with the Browns on April 20, 1952. A reserve catcher during his six-year Major League career (1952; 1957–1958; 1960–1962), Johnson also played for the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, who released him on June 12, 1962, ending his playing career. He was listed as 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and 180 pounds (82 kg) and threw and batted right-handed. In 134 MLB games played, he batted .234 lifetime, with his 75 hits including six doubles, one triple and two home runs.

Johnson's playing career was interrupted by an eleven-month stint as an MLB coach with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1960–1961. After playing in eight games, with three plate appearances, for the 1960 Cardinals, he was released as a player on August 5 and added to the coaching staff of manager Solly Hemus, then reappointed for 1961. When the Redbirds fired Hemus on July 6, 1961, Johnson was released along with him. Three days later, he signed a player's contract with the last-place Philadelphia Phillies and caught 21 games for them in five weeks before being sold to the pennant-contending Cincinnati Reds on August 14.

The Reds were then 2+1⁄2 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers, but over the final six weeks of the season they overtook the Dodgers to win the National League championship by four full contests. Johnson appeared in 20 games (including 17 as the club's starting catcher, with the Reds going 8–9).[4] In limited duty, he batted .315 with 17 hits, including his second and last big-league home run, hit off the Dodgers' Johnny Podres on August 16.[5] He appeared in the 1961 World Series against his former team, the Yankees, and had two singles in four at bats (both of them off Baseball Hall of Famer Whitey Ford) as the Reds lost to the slugging Yanks of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, four games to one. He started Games 1 and 4, both of them Cincinnati defeats.[6]

The Reds released Johnson only a few days into the 1962 season, and he signed with the Orioles as a backup catcher before retiring as a player in June and serving out the year as Baltimore's bullpen coach.

Manager of Red Sox, Mariners and Rangers

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Overview

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He then became a minor league manager in the Orioles system and won championships with the Rochester Red Wings of the Triple-A International League in 1964 and Elmira Pioneers of the Double-A Eastern League in 1966. His demotion was the result of an exchange requested by Red Wings president Morrie Silver, who was disappointed with a losing 1965 campaign and wanted the Pioneers' Earl Weaver, coming off a winning season, to manage his team instead.[7]

After a year spent scouting for the 1967 Yankees, Johnson was named pitching coach of the Boston Red Sox on October 31, 1967, succeeding Sal Maglie who had been released after the World Series.[8] When manager Dick Williams was fired in September 1969, Johnson was retained by the Red Sox as a scout in 1970,[9] then managed Boston's Louisville Colonels International League affiliate in 1971–72. In 1973, he became the first manager of the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, finishing 78–68 and winning his second Governors' Cup, emblematic of the International League's playoff championship, in his only PawSox season. That championship earned him a promotion to the parent club as Red Sox manager.

Johnson (left) with President Gerald Ford and Sparky Anderson in 1975

As a big-league manager, Johnson led three different teams over eight seasons. His career began when he succeeded Eddie Kasko following the conclusion of the Red Sox's 1973 campaign on September 30.[10] His biggest success came during his Red Sox posting when he compiled a win–loss record of 220–188 for a .539 winning percentage. He guided Boston to a 95–65 (.594) mark in 1975 and a first-place finish in the AL East. The Sox then swept the three-time defending world champion Oakland Athletics in the playoffs, 3–0, to win the American League pennant. But they lost to the Cincinnati "Big Red Machine" in the thrilling 1975 World Series, four games to three. In an interview conducted by Tim Russert on CNBC in 2003, Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk named Johnson as the biggest influence in his professional life.[11] Johnson also had his detractors, such as Bill Lee, who stated that the team won "despite our manager", who did not communicate well with his players and even had his pitching coach stationed in the Red Sox bullpen rather than the dugout during the 1975 Series.[12]

In 1976, Boston started poorly, losing 15 of its first 21 games, then rallied and finally climbed above the .500 mark on July 6 (38–37). As the incumbent pennant-winning manager, Johnson managed the 1976 American League All-Star team (with his team losing 7–1 at Veterans Stadium on July 13). But by then the Red Sox were mired in another slump, and only five days later on July 19, Johnson was fired in favor of third-base coach Don Zimmer after the team had lost eight of its last 11 games. At the time of his dismissal, Boston was out of contention with a 41–45 record, in fifth place and 13 games behind the Yankees.[13] Johnson then briefly returned to scouting for the Red Sox.

Johnson was hired to become the first-ever manager of the expansion Seattle Mariners on September 3, 1976.[14] Lou Gorman, Seattle's director of baseball operations, stated that Johnson would also assist in scouting players for the upcoming expansion draft. Johnson said that he was looking for players with "pride, aggressiveness, and the right mental attitude."[15] With the Mariners at 39–65 and tied for last place in the American League West, he was fired on 4 August 1980 and replaced by Maury Wills.[16] His record in 3+2⁄3 seasons in Seattle was 226–362 (.384).

Johnson then worked as third-base coach for the Texas Rangers, under Zimmer, starting in 1981 before taking over as interim manager on July 30, 1982.[17] Six years earlier, the roles had been reversed when third-base coach Zimmer succeeded Johnson as manager in Boston on July 18, 1976. In his final managerial role, Johnson's Rangers went 26–40 (.394) in the 1982 season's final two months. He finished with a 472–590 record for a .444 career percentage as a Major League manager.[18]

He then moved to the New York Mets as minor league coordinator of instruction and a longtime scout. He also served as the Mets' bench coach on the staff of Dallas Green from May 20, 1993,[19] through the end of that season.[20]

Johnson died from leukemia at the age of 75 in 2004 in Fairfield, California.[21]

Managerial record

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Team Year Regular season Postseason
Games Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
BOS 1974 162 84 78 .519 3rd in AL East – – – –
BOS 1975 160 95 65 .594 1st in AL East 6 4 .600 Lost World Series (CIN)
BOS 1976 86 41 45 .477 fired – – – –
BOS total 408 220 188 .539 6 4 .600
SEA 1977 162 64 98 .395 6th in AL West – – – –
SEA 1978 160 56 104 .350 7th in AL West – – – –
SEA 1979 162 67 95 .414 6th in AL West – – – –
SEA 1980 104 39 65 .375 fired – – – –
SEA total 588 226 362 .384 0 0 –
TEX 1982 56 23 33 .411 6th in AL West – – – –
TEX total 66 26 40 .394 0 0 –
Total[18] 1062 472 590 .444 6 4 .600

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Darrell Johnson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Darrell Dean Johnson (August 25, 1928 – May 3, 2004) was an American professional baseball catcher, coach, manager, and scout whose career spanned over five decades in Major League Baseball (MLB). Best known for managing the Boston Red Sox from 1974 to 1976, Johnson led the team to the American League pennant and the 1975 World Series, where they fell to the Cincinnati Reds in seven games after a dramatic Game 6 comeback victory. For his success that season, including a 95-65 regular-season record, he was named the American League Manager of the Year by both The Associated Press and The Sporting News. Johnson also served as the first manager of the expansion Seattle Mariners from 1977 to 1980 and had brief stints as an interim manager with the Texas Rangers in 1982, compiling a career managerial record of 472 wins and 590 losses across eight seasons. Born in , Johnson began his playing career as a , debuting with the (later the Baltimore Orioles) in 1952 and appearing in 320 games over nine seasons with teams including the , New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, , and , where he batted .500 (2-for-4) in two games of the . After retiring as a player in 1962, he transitioned to coaching and managing in the minors before joining the Red Sox organization, where his steady leadership helped revive a franchise still haunted by the 1967 "Impossible Dream" era. Johnson's tenure with Boston ended after the 1976 season amid front-office tensions, but his impact on the 1975 team—featuring stars like and —remains a highlight of Red Sox history. Later in his career, he worked as a scout for the until 1999, passing away from in , at age 75.

Early life and entry into baseball

Childhood and family

Darrell Dean Johnson was born on August 25, 1928, in the small community of , . Johnson grew up on the West Coast, where his family relocated during his early years, leading him to be routinely described as a Californian despite his birthplace. He had a brother, Wayne Johnson.

High school and amateur baseball

Although born in , , Johnson's family relocated to during his childhood, leading him to attend Richmond High School in . At Richmond High School, Johnson participated in as a , developing his early skills in the position alongside other notable alumni. After graduating, he continued playing in local amateur baseball, including a standout appearance in the 1949 state amateur tournament. His performance in the tournament led to him signing as an amateur with the in 1949, which transitioned him into organized .

Professional playing career

Minor league years

Darrell Johnson signed as an amateur with the in 1949, following his participation in the California state amateur tournament that year, under the recommendation of scout Tony Robello. His professional debut came that season with the Class D Redding Browns of the Far West League, where he appeared in 88 games as a , batting .276 with 9 home runs and 58 RBIs. Johnson progressed steadily through the minors, demonstrating strong defensive skills behind the plate, including an outstanding throwing arm that later earned him recognition as the best-throwing in the in 1959. In 1950, he advanced to the Class C Marshall Browns of the , posting a standout .329 over 131 games, with 13 home runs, 105 RBIs, and 36 doubles—tying for the league lead in the latter—while leading all catchers with a .979 . The following year, 1951, saw him split time between the Double-A of the (.266 average in 49 games) and the Class B Wichita Falls Spudders of the Big State League (.309 average), showcasing his adaptability across levels. By 1952, Johnson had settled in with the Double-A , where he hit .325 in 24 games before earning a brief major league call-up. Following his 1952 trade to the organization, he played for the Double-A Memphis Chicks of the Southern Association in 1953, batting .249 in 113 games. His development continued at the Triple-A level in 1954 with the Richmond Virginians of the (.261 average in 90 games), and he reached his peak performance in 1955 with the Bears of the American Association (Triple-A, New York Yankees affiliate), hitting .306 with 49 RBIs over 152 games while maintaining a .987 fielding percentage. Johnson returned to in 1956, batting .319 in 107 games, further honing his reputation for handling pitchers through consistent game-calling and resilience, aided by his double-jointed thumbs that helped him recover from injuries. He made one more appearance in 1959 with the Triple-A Richmond Virginians (.218 average in 94 games) before focusing on major league opportunities.

Major league tenure

Johnson made his major league debut on April 20, 1952, as a for the , appearing in 29 games that season with a .282 in 78 at-bats. Midseason, he was traded to the on July 28, 1952, where he played 22 games and batted .108 in 37 at-bats. Following several years in the honing his skills, Johnson returned to the majors in 1957 with the New York Yankees, who had purchased his contract from their top minor league affiliate; he appeared in 21 games that year (.217 average) and 5 more in 1958 (.250 average). In 1960, Johnson joined the St. Louis Cardinals as a , logging just 8 games with 2 at-bats. His most active major league season came in 1961, when he played 21 games for the Phillies (.230 average in 61 at-bats) before being sold to the on August 14; with the Reds, he batted .315 in 54 at-bats over 20 games, marking his career-high and 115 total at-bats that year. Johnson appeared in two games of the for the Reds against the New York Yankees, going 2-for-4 with a .500 average. Johnson's major league career concluded in 1962, split between the Reds (2 games) and Baltimore Orioles (6 games, .182 average), for a total of 134 games, 320 at-bats, and a .234 . Known for his physical advantages as a , including double-jointed thumbs that enhanced his grip and handling of pitches, Johnson often served as a due to limited opportunities behind established starters. His success, including strong defensive showings, had prepared him for these intermittent major league call-ups, but persistent depth at the position led to the end of his playing days after the 1962 season.

Coaching career

Minor league managing

After retiring as a player following the 1962 season with the , where he had served as a backup , Darrell Johnson transitioned into management within the Baltimore Orioles' minor league system, drawing on his experience behind the plate to emphasize pitcher handling and defensive strategies in his early roles. Johnson's first managerial position was with the Triple-A of the from 1963 to 1965, where he compiled a 230-222 record over three seasons. In 1964, he led the team to an 82-72 regular-season mark and the league championship, defeating the in the finals, a success attributed to his focus on disciplined fundamentals and player preparation. The Red Wings finished seventh in 1963 (75-76) and fifth in 1965 (73-74), during which Johnson prioritized developing young talent from the Orioles' farm system, including prospects who contributed to Baltimore's emerging contention in the majors. In 1966, Johnson managed the Double-A Elmira Pioneers of the Eastern League to an 88-51 record and the league pennant, showcasing his tactical acumen in aggressive base-running and situational hitting to secure the title. After a gap in managing, he returned in 1971 with the Triple-A of the , posting a 71-69 record that year before guiding them to first place in 1972 with an 81-63 mark, though they fell in the playoff finals; there, Johnson notably aided pitcher Luis Tiant's rehabilitation by providing consistent starts, which helped restore the veteran's confidence and form for future major league returns. His final minor league stint came in 1973 with the Triple-A , where he achieved a 78-68 record for a third-place finish but led the team to the championship in the playoffs and victory in the Little against the Evansville Triplets, emphasizing versatile lineups and management to overcome regular-season shortcomings.

Major league coaching positions

Darrell Johnson's major league coaching career began while he was still an active player, serving as a for the Cardinals in 1960 and 1961. In these roles, he contributed to the operations under manager Solly Hemus, drawing on his experience as a to assist with pitching staff management during a transitional period for the team. In 1962, Johnson joined the Baltimore Orioles as an assistant coach, primarily handling bullpen duties while appearing in one game as a player. His work focused on supporting the relief pitchers on a young Orioles squad that finished the season with a 77-85 record, helping to stabilize the pitching staff amid injuries and roster changes. Johnson returned to major league coaching in as the pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox, a position he held through 1969 under manager . During this time, he aided in the development of key pitchers like and Gary Waslewski, contributing to the Red Sox's improved rotation that supported their season and the 1969 "Impossible Dream" repeat push, though the team struggled with consistency. After several years in management, Johnson rejoined an MLB staff in 1981 as a coach for the Texas Rangers, serving under manager and focusing on base running and third base coaching responsibilities. His tenure emphasized player fundamentals and strategic positioning, providing guidance to a rebuilding Rangers team before his promotion to interim manager in 1982. Post-managing, Johnson served as bench coach for the in 1993 under manager . In this brief role, he offered veteran insights on game situations and player motivation during a challenging 59-103 season for the Mets, drawing from his extensive experience to support the coaching staff amid high turnover.

Managerial career

Boston Red Sox

Darrell Johnson was appointed manager of the Boston Red Sox prior to the 1974 season, succeeding Eddie Kasko after serving as a coach for the team in 1968 and 1969. In his first year, Johnson guided the Red Sox to an 84–78 record, securing third place in the despite a competitive division that included the eventual pennant-winning Baltimore Orioles. The following season proved transformative, as the team posted a 95–65 mark to claim the title and the pennant, Johnson's most notable achievement. This success earned him the Manager of the Year award from the and . In the 1975 , the Red Sox faced the in a memorable seven-game series, highlighted by Carlton Fisk's iconic in , but ultimately fell short with a 4–3 defeat in Game 7 at . The 1976 campaign brought challenges, as the Red Sox struggled early and hovered around .500 amid injuries and inconsistencies following the previous year's deep playoff run. On July 19, 1976, with the team at 41–45 and mired in fourth place, Johnson was fired and replaced by third-base coach . Over his 2½ seasons with Boston, Johnson compiled a regular-season record of 220–188, including a 6–4 postseason mark from the 1975 .

Seattle Mariners

Darrell Johnson was hired on September 3, 1976, to serve as the inaugural manager of the expansion Mariners, bringing his recent experience leading the Boston Red Sox to the 1975 pennant as a key factor in his selection by director of baseball operations Lou Gorman. The Mariners entered in 1977 with a roster assembled from other teams' leftovers and unproven talent, setting the stage for a challenging start under Johnson's guidance. In the 1977 debut season, the Mariners finished with a 64-98 record, placing sixth in the . The following year, 1978, brought further difficulties with a 56-104 mark, again in last place, as the young squad struggled to gel amid defensive and pitching inconsistencies. By 1979, Johnson oversaw modest improvement to 67-95, securing sixth place and demonstrating progress in developing a foundational team identity and work ethic among the inexperienced players, which earned him a contract extension earlier that year. The 1980 season proved turbulent, with the Mariners at 39-65 through mid-July, prompting a vote of confidence from team president despite ongoing losses. However, a subsequent 12-game led to Johnson's firing on August 4, 1980, after which took over as manager. Over his four-year tenure, Johnson compiled an overall record of 226 wins and 362 losses, a .384 , laying the groundwork for the franchise's early development despite consistent last- or near-last-place finishes.

Texas Rangers

Darrell Johnson served as the interim manager of the Texas Rangers in 1982, taking over midway through the season after the dismissal of on July 28. His appointment drew on his prior experience managing the Mariners from 1977 to 1980, where he had established a reputation for steady leadership despite challenging rosters. Under Johnson's guidance, the Rangers compiled a record of 26 wins and 40 losses over the final two months of the season, contributing to the team's overall 64–98 finish and last-place standing in the . The squad faced significant challenges, including inconsistent pitching, defensive lapses, and a lack of offensive firepower, which exacerbated the franchise's ongoing struggles during a rebuilding phase marked by frequent managerial changes. These difficulties, compounded by the team's inability to compete effectively against division rivals, limited Johnson's impact and underscored the brief nature of his role as a stopgap measure. Following the season, the Rangers opted not to retain Johnson, opting instead for a new direction under manager in 1983, effectively ending Johnson's major league managerial career after this interim stint.

Personal life and legacy

Family and later years

Johnson was married to his wife, , until her death in February 2004. The couple had two daughters, and Deana, and one son, Douglas. They were also grandparents to three grandchildren and great-grandparents to two great-grandchildren. Following his retirement from his position as a special assistant to the general manager in 1999, Johnson settled in , where he resided in Fairfield. In his later years, he pursued as a primary non-baseball activity, having been an avid player who won local tournaments earlier in life.

Death and honors

Darrell Johnson was diagnosed with leukemia and died on May 3, 2004, in Fairfield, California, at the age of 75. He was buried at Rockville Cemetery in Fairfield. During his managerial career, Johnson received the American League Manager of the Year Award in 1975 from both The Associated Press and The Sporting News for leading the Boston Red Sox to the AL pennant. He is remembered for guiding the 1975 Red Sox to the World Series, where they pushed the Cincinnati Reds to a decisive Game 7, and for serving as the inaugural manager of the Seattle Mariners from 1977 to 1980. Over eight seasons managing in the major leagues with the Red Sox, Mariners, and Texas Rangers, Johnson compiled an overall record of 472 wins, 590 losses, and one tie, for a .444 winning percentage.

References

  1. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/darrell-johnson/
  2. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/06/sports/darrell-johnson-76-is-dead-managed-red-sox-to-75-series.html
  3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/johnsda01.shtml
  4. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsda01.shtml
  5. https://www.espn.com/classic/obit/s/2004/0504/1795356.html
  6. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Richmond_%28CA%29_High_School
  7. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/hs_team/2139/
  8. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=johnso001dar
  9. https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1961_WS.shtml
  10. https://www.mlb.com/player/darrell-johnson-116575
  11. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Darrell_Johnson
  12. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/stats_mlb.asp?ID=1962~4&View=staff
  13. https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2004-boston-red-sox/management/?season=1968
  14. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/04/sports/baseball-season-is-history-so-is-stottlemyre.html
  15. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1974.shtml
  16. https://www.nytimes.com/1976/07/20/archives/johnson-dismissed-by-red-sox.html
  17. https://www.mlb.com/redsox/history/managers
  18. https://www.historylink.org/file/21218
  19. https://www.onthisday.com/date/1980/august/4
  20. https://www.mlb.com/mariners/history/timeline-1980s
  21. https://www.mlb.com/mariners/history/managers
  22. https://sabr.org/journal/article/case-study-the-texas-rangers-managers/
  23. https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/baseball/article/Darrell-Johnson-the-Mariners-first-manager-1143980.php
  24. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8726763/darrell-johnson
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