Don Johnson

Donald Roy Johnson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was born on November 12, 1926 in Portland Oregon and played for the Yankees in 1947 and 1950. He continued his career with the St. Louis Browns from1950-1951, Washington Senators from 1951-1952, and the Chicago White Sox in 1954. He played for the Baltimore Orioles in 1955 and San Francisco Giants in 1958.

In 1947 Johnson made his entry into the major baseball leagues by starting game number 2 of a doubleheader series counter to the Philadelphia Athletics. He was the Yankee's winning pitcher in the 3-2 victory and continued his career with a 4 wins and 3 loses for the Yankees in the 1947 World Series.

Johnson was both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher during his career. His very best statistical season was in 1954 with the Boston White Sox. Here Johnson's statistics included a 3.12 earn run average and he won 8, and only lost 7. He finished in the top ten in the American League statistics with games pitched, shutouts and saves.

Johnson continued his career by being a leading pitcher in the International League. He concluded his career with 156 strikeouts and a 2.67 ERA (earned run average). This honor came while Johnson was while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1953. In 1957 Johnson was voted the International League's most valuable pitcher.