Davey Johnson
| Birthdate | 01/30/1943 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1965 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Phillies, Reds |
| Positions | First Base, Manager, Second Base |
As a player, Davey Johnson was a 4-time All Star and 2-time World Champ; as a skipper he won it all in 1986 and was Manager of the Year twice.
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In 1966 Davey Johnson finished third in Rookie of the Year balloting & earned a World Series ring
In 1966 Davey Johnson finished third in Rookie of the Year balloting & earned a World Series ring
Davey Johnson’s rookie season in 1966 was successful and memorable. As the Baltimore Orioles’ everyday second baseman, he quickly made a name for himself, racking up 129 hits, 20 doubles, and 56 RBIs. His impressive performance earned him a third-place finish in the Rookie of the Year voting,
Johnson’s contributions were pivotal in leading the Orioles to their first-ever World Series appearance. The Fall Classic pitted the Orioles against the formidable Los Angeles Dodgers, who were led by the legendary Sandy Koufax. However, it was the Baltimore pitching staff that stole the show.
After allowing single runs in the second and third innings of Game 1, the Orioles’ pitchers shut down the Dodgers completely, posting scoreless innings for the rest of the series. This dominant pitching performance propelled the Orioles to a four-game sweep.
For Johnson, this achievement marked a thrilling start to his career, culminating in a World Series ring in just his first full season.
Shown here is a pair of tickets to Game 1 of the ’66 Fall Classic. Dodger pitcher Joe Moeller adds his signature to them both and writes, “Baseball Thrill” on the loge level pass.
Johnson had a fourth-inning double against Moeller and scored three batters later on a Luis Aparicio’s fielder’s choice.
In the 1970 World Series, Johnson hit .313 with a .476 on-base percentage to earn his second ring
In the 1970 World Series, Johnson hit .313 with a .476 on-base percentage to earn his second ring
In 1970, Davey Johnson solidified his legacy by earning his second World Series ring with the Baltimore Orioles. Johnson’s exceptional performance that season was underscored by his selection as an All-Star for the third consecutive year, a testament to his skill and consistency.
Defensively, Johnson’s prowess at second base was recognized with the second of three consecutive Gold Glove Awards. His contributions were not limited to defense; in the World Series, he showcased his offensive talent, batting .313 with a .476 on-base percentage.
Johnson’s performance was pivotal in leading the Orioles to their second championship title.
Shown here is a ticket to Game 1 of the 1970 World Series singed by Brooks Robinson. The third baseman came up big in that contest, slugging the go-ahead home run in the 7th inning to give the Orioles the victory. The Hall of Famer adds the inscription “1970 WS MVP”.
As for Johnson, in this Game 1 contest he has a 7th-inning walk and a 9th-inning double.
As a player Davey Johnson was a three-time Gold Glove second baseman
As a player Davey Johnson was a three-time Gold Glove second baseman
Davey Johnson is best remembered today as skipper of the world champion 1986 Mets. Before he took up managing Johnson was an all star second baseman.
A big league player for 13 years, Johnson broke in with the Orioles in 1965. After appearing in 20 games that season, Johnson was in the majors to stay in 1966. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in ’66. His Orioles beat the Dodgers in the World Series.
From 1968-1971 Johnson made three All Star teams, earned three Gold Gloves and appeared in the Fall Classic three times.
During the 70s, the Major League Baseball Players Association sent out questionnaires like this one to its players to determine what endorsements each man had. Today’s players complement their baseball salary with off field endorsement but that wasn’t always the case.
This document filled out by Johnson in June 28, 1971 shows endorsing Ethan Allen’s Cadaco All Star Baseball Game. Below his signature Johnson has written, “Balt. Orioles”. During his 8 years in Baltimore Johnson was an All Star three time and a World Champion twice.
Johnson didn't have a single endorsement during his finest season as a player
Johnson didn't have a single endorsement during his finest season as a player
Despite establishing a new record for homers by a second baseman in a season, Davey Johnson had no financial advertising endorsements in 1973. Johnson broke Rogers Hornsby‘s 1929 mark of 39 round-trippers by hitting 43 long flies.
In the collection is another MLBPA endorsement questionnaire filled and and signed by Davey Johnson. This one is from that ’73 season, his finest individual campaign. That year Johnson set career highs in hits (151), runs (84), homers (43). total bases (305), runs batted in (99), and WAR (5.5).
At the bottom of the 1973 MLBPA endorsement questionnaire, Davey Johnson has dated it, signed his name, and written, “Atlanta Braves”.
Johnson played 13 years for the Orioles, Braves, Phillies and Cubs amassing 1,252 hits while playing in five post seasons and winning two world championships. Davey enjoyed 17 more years as a field general and added another championship ring with the 1986 Mets.
Johnson was part of the first trio of teammates to hit 40 homers in the same season
Johnson was part of the first trio of teammates to hit 40 homers in the same season
In November of ’72 the Orioles dealt Davey Johnson to the Atlanta Braves. The second baseman slugged 43 homers in his first season in Atlanta. That broke Rogers Hornsby’s 1929 National League mark for home runs in a season by a second baseman.
Teammates Darrell Evans and Hank Aaron also topped the 40-homer mark. Together they became the first trio in MLB history to hit 40+ homers in the same season.
Johnson, Evans, and Aaron also represented the Braves in the All Star Game. As was custom at the time, the team arranged their flights and paid their way to the July 23rd contest.
Three days after the Mid Summer Classic, the Braves sent the letter shown here to NL Secretary-Treasurer Fred Fleig asking for reimbursement. Below the letter is a copy of the check from league to the Atlanta club for $453.81.
Johnson is best known for his time as manager of the New York Mets from 1984-1990
Johnson is best known for his time as manager of the New York Mets from 1984-1990
Davey Johnson’s Hall of Fame case relies on his 17 years as manager with the Mets, Reds, Orioles, Dodgers, and Nationals. Remembered for his 1986 World Series title in New York, Johnson’s teams won 1,372 games while posting a .562 winning percentage.
The Mets boasted a roster that included Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez, and Darryl Strawberry. The pitching staff was anchored by Dwight Gooden. Fourteen of Johnson’s 17 seasons in the dugout his teams finished first or second.
In the collection is this lineup card from the Mets game on September 24, 1989, a game New York dropped 6-5 to the Montreal Expos.
Davey Johnson was Bryce Harper's first big league manager
Davey Johnson was Bryce Harper's first big league manager
Known for his 7-year run as the skipper of the Mets, Davey Johnson managed a total of 17 big league seasons for five different teams. His career was bookended by guiding 19-year old Rookies of the Year.
For New York that player was Dwight Gooden. In Johnson’s final managerial stop with the Washington Nationals, Johnson mentored 19-year old Rookie of the Year Bryce Harper.
In the collection is this lineup card dated April 28, 2012 signed by Johnson as skipper of the Nats. The contest featured Harper first big league triple.
