IN MEMORIAM ...Davey Johnson... (1943 - 2025) (© Photo: Baltimore Orioles PR)

Major League-great (Player/Manager); former Netherlands Team-Coach Davey Johnson passed away
Nederlands

SARASOTA, Florida (USA) - Davey Johnson, who played 13 years in the Major League, mostly with Baltimore Orioles, and was a successful Manager in 17 seasons, passed away on Friday, September 5 at age 82. Johnson won the World Series three times, two as a player, one as Manager. In 2003 and 2004, Johnson was a member of the coaching-staff of the Netherlands National Team and briefly led the Orange-squad as interim-Manager.

David Allen Johnson was born on January 30, 1943 in Orlando, Florida. He went on to study at and play baseball for Texas A&M University, but after only one season, Davey was signed by Baltimore Orioles in 1962. Later that year, Johnson made his professional debut, playing in the Single-A team. In 1963, he promoted to Double-A and Triple-A.

After having played the entire 1964 season in Triple-A team Rochester Red Wings, Johnson made his Major League-debut in 1965 with Baltimore, but he returned to Triple-A after 20 games. Johnson then played in his first full Major League-season in 1966. He then played in 131 games, collected 129 basehits (7 homeruns), batted .257 and finished third in the voting for Rookie of the Year. As American League-champion, Baltimore reached the World Series and swept Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0. Johnson played in all four games and batted .286.

Davey Johnson also played in the World Series with Baltimore in 1969, 1970 and 1971. In those seasons, the team was led by legendary Manager Earl Weaver. Other star-players in the Orioles-team then were pitcher Jim Palmer, third baseman Brooks Robinson and outfielder Frank Robinson. In 1970, Baltimore again won the World Series, winning 4-1 against Cincinnati Reds, which shortly thereafter became very successful as the Big Red Machine. In 1969 and 1971, Baltimore lost against New York Mets (4-1) and Pittsburgh Pirates (4-3). Johnson played in all games.

As the starting second baseman, Davey Johnson played in eight seasons for Baltimore and annually appeared in 130 or more games in 1966-1972. Johnson was part of a strong infield with Brooks Robinson at third base and Mark Belanger as short stop. All won several Gold Gloves. Johnson won the Award in 1969, 1970 and 1971. He also was selected for the All-Star Game in 1968, 1969 and 1970.

In December 1972, Johnson was traded to Atlanta Braves. In his first season with Atlanta in 1973, Johnson hit a career-high 43 homeruns, 42 of them as second baseman. With that, he tied the single-season record for most homeruns by a second baseman, set in 1922 by legend Rogers Hornsby. In the 1973 season, Johnson's teammates Darrell Evans and Hank Aaron respectively hit 41 and 40 homeruns, marking the first time that three players of the same team hit 40 or more homeruns in the same season. Also in 1973, Johnson played in another All-Star Game.

...Davey playing for... ...Yomiuri Giants in Japan... (© Photo: 1976 Baseball-card)

After being released by Atlanta early in the 1975 season, Davey Johnson went on to play in Japan, where he played for Yomiuri Giants in 1975 and 1976. There, he was a teammate of legendary Sadaharu Oh, while Shigeo Nagashima, another legend, was the Manager. Nagashima passed away on June 3 at age 89.

Back in the USA, Johnson signed with Philadelphia Phillies for whom he played in 1977 in 78 games. In 1978, Johnson became the first player in history to hit two grand slam-homeruns as a pinch-hitter, which were his only two homeruns that season. He hit the first one on April 30 at home against San Diego Padres off of Bob Shirley in the fifth inning. His second pinch-hit grand slam came on June 3 against Los Angeles Dodgers, also at home. This time it was a walk-off homerun off of Terry Forster in the ninth, resulting in a 5-1 win. In August 1978, Philadelphia traded Johnson to Chicago Cubs, for whom he played in 24 games in the remainder of the season. Johnson retired afterwards.

In 13 seasons, Johnson played in 1,435 games and collected 1,252 basehits, including 136 homeruns. He scored 564 runs, batted in 609 and finished with a .261 batting average.

In 1979, Davey Johnson was the Manager of Miami Amigos. This team played played in the Inter-American League, which played at Triple-A level and had six teams, who were not affiliated with Major League-organizations. This new league folded after three months.

In 1981 and 1983, Johnson was Minor League-Manager in the New York Mets-organization, respectively in Double-A and Triple-A.

From 1984 on, Davey Johnson was the Manager of the New York Mets Major League-team. He became the first National League-Manager to win 90 or more games in each of his first five seasons, including 108 in 1986 and 100 in 1988. In 1986, Johnson led New York to the World Series-title in what became a famous final. Opponent Boston Red Sox led 3-2 in the Series, also led in Game 6 and was one pitch away from capturing the title. But then first baseman Bill Buckner committed an error and New York won, then also won Game 7 the next day.

In 1990, his seventh season with New York, the team struggled and Johnson was fired after 42 games, despite being the winningest Manager in club-history (595 wins), which he still is.

...Davey as Manager of NY Mets... (© Photo: 1987 Baseball-card)

In 1993, Johnson returned as Major League-Manager when he succeeded Tony Perez after 44 games at Cincinnati Reds. He also was successful there, leading the team to National League Championship Series in 1995. Despite that, Cincinnati and Johnson separated after the season.

In 1996 and 1997, Johnson was Manager of Baltimore Orioles. In both seasons, the team played in the American League Championship Series. In November 1997, Johnson was named Manager of the Year Award. Johnson had a bad relationship with club-owner Peter Angelos. After a dispute, Johnson handed in his resignation and Angelos accepted it on the same day he won the Award.

Johnson's next job as Manager was in 1999 and 2000 when he led Los Angeles Dodgers.

After being active internationally in the following years, Johnson returned to Major League Baseball in June 2006, when he was named consultant in the front office of Washington Nationals. Davey became senior advisor to the General Manager after the 2009 season. In June 2011, Johnson returned in uniform when Manager Jim Riggleman resigned. He then also led Washington in 2012 and 2013, winning 98 (club-record) and 86 games respectively. In 2012, played in the National League Division Series and Johnson was named Manager of the Year. He retired after the 2013 season, then became a consultant in 2014.

In 17 seasons as Major League-Manager of five teams, Johnson won 1,366 of his 2,434 games, finishing with a .562 won/loss percentage.

As mentioned, after he had been the Manager of Los Angeles Dodgers in 2000, Johnson was active internationally for some years.

In June 2003, Johnson was named Interim Manager of the Netherlands National Team, taking over from Robert Eenhoorn, who temporarily had stepped down as Manager due to sad family-circumstances. Former Major League-player Hensley Meulens was added to the staff as Bench Coach. The other members of the staff were Eric de Bruin (1B & Hitting Coach), Ben Thijssen (3B Coach) and Steve Janssen (Pitching Coach). The appointments of Johnson and Meulens came just over two weeks before the start of the international World Port Tournament in Rotterdam (Netherlands). The Orange-squad reached the Final, but then lost 3-2 to Cuba.

Five days after the WPT, the Netherlands participated in the European Championship, which was organized in Dutch cities Haarlem, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Johnson led the team to wins against Belgium, Czechia, Croatia, France and Sweden, which included four shutouts. After five games, Eenhoorn returned as Manager, but Johnson stayed with the team as Assistant Manager. Three more shutouts followed, first against Russia and again Sweden, then a 2-0 win in the Final against Greece. Current Orange-Manager Evert-Jan 't Hoen was one of the players.

...Davey Johnson as Manager of the USA... ...with Netherlands Team Manager Robert... ...Eenhoorn during the 2008 Olympic Games... ...in Beijing (China)... (© Photo: Marco Stoovelaar)

Another event followed four days later, the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Haarlem and Rotterdam. Johnson then also was to be with the team, but he returned home before it started due to family-circumstances.

In October, Johnson returned in an Orange-uniform as Assistant Manager of Eenhoorn during the World Championship in Cuba.

The same coaching-staff, led by Eenhoorn as Manager and Johnson as Assistant Manager, also headed the team in 2004. In that year, the Netherlands Team won the Haarlem Baseball Week in Haarlem, participated in a Pre-Olympic Tournament in Nettuno (Italy), followed by the Olympic Games in Athens (Greece).

In 2005, Davey Johnson was the Manager of Team USA during the World Championship, which was organized in the Netherlands. The Americans finished in seventh place.

In 2006, Johnson again was with the American squad, this time as Bench Coach during the first edition of the World Baseball Classic with Buck Martinez as Manager. Johnson then was the Manager again of the USA in 2007 during the World Championship in Taiwan, where he led the team to the first world-title in more than three decades. Johnson also was Team USA-Manager in 2008 during the Olympic Games in Beijing (China) and in 2009 during the World Baseball Classic. In China, the Americans won the Bronze Medal and in the Classic, the team finished in fourth place.

In 2005, 2006 and 2007, Davey Johnson won three consecutive USA Baseball Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year Awards.

In 2009 and 2010, Johnson was the Head Coach of respectively DeLand Suns and Sanford River Rats in the Florida Collegiate Summer League.

In 1997, Davey was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame, together with (General Manager) Harry Dalton and (Catcher) Rick Dempsey. In 2010, he also was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame, alongside (General Manager) Frank Cashen, (Pitcher) Dwight Gooden and (Outfielder) Darryl Strawberry. During the 1990 season, it was Cashen who had fired Johnson as Manager.

In 2008, 2010 (by the Veterans Committee), 2017 and 2018 (by the Today's Game Committee), Davey Johnson was on the ballot of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, but he didn't get enough votes to be inducted.

...Davey Johnson tribute by MLB Network...

Davey Johnson was a pioneer in using statistical computer-data. While still playing himself, he learned how to make computer-programs and when he became a Manager, he made use of data for his approach of the game, study (opposing) players and compiling his line-up. Johnson brought a winning mentality to all teams he led as Manager and was well-respected by his coaching-colleagues and players.

New York Mets-owners Steve and Alex Cohen issued the following statement:
,,We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Davey Johnson. Davey’s 595 wins remain the most in franchise history, and his legacy is highlighted by him leading the 1986 team to a World Series championship. He led with a quiet confidence and unwavering belief in his team, always caring deeply for his players both on and off the field. He had a distinguished 13-year playing career, including winning two World Series titles with the Orioles. On behalf of our entire organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Davey’s family, friends, and all who were impacted by his remarkable life and career''.

USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler stated:
,,We are heartbroken by the passing of Davey Johnson. Davey is a baseball legend whose career was marked by sustained excellence as a player and a coach. He was a true champion in every sense of the word, and it was his leadership that led Team USA to a world championship in 2007 and an Olympic bronze medal in 2008. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and service to USA Baseball, but his impact extended beyond wins and medals. Davey had a profound impact on the athletes and staff who were fortunate to work with him, and we will all forever honor his memory. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Susan, and the entire Johnson family''.

John Gall, President of USA Baseball, said:
,,In 2008, Davey Johnson managed Team USA to a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games, where I had the honor of playing for him. What stood out most to me was not just his baseball brilliance, but the confidence and belief he instilled in every one of us. Davey was a pure baseball man, and his infectious energy will forever endure in the hearts of players, fans, and the entire baseball community. On behalf of USA Baseball, and with great personal respect, I extend our condolences to his wife, Susan, his family, and all who were touched by his remarkable life''.

The webmaster of Grand Slam * Stats & News offers his condolences to Davey's wife Susan, other family and friends and wishes them a lot of strength with this big loss.

(September 8)