Bill Johnson
Born: 10/18/1892 in Chicago, IL, USA
Died: 11/5/1950 in Los Angeles, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1916-09-22 | Final Game: 1917-07-30
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: William Lawrence Johnson
Biography
Bill Johnson, born in 1892, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in the early 20th century as a position player. His career spanned from 1916 until July 30, 1917, during a time when Major League Baseball was experiencing the transitional phase between the deadball era and the more offensive-minded play that would emerge in the 1920s. Johnson played a total of 52 games in the major leagues, where he recorded 23 hits, including one home run, and drove in nine runs. His batting average stood at .185, reflecting the challenges many players faced during this period characterized by low-scoring games and a focus on pitching and defense.
Despite his modest statistics, Johnson's presence on the field contributed to his teams during a time when baseball was still solidifying its place as America's pastime. He also showcased his speed on the bases, stealing four bases during his career. While his time in the major leagues was brief, Johnson's role as a player during this formative era of baseball history remains a part of the rich tapestry that shaped the game.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24.0 | 20.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0.250 | 0.375 | 0.250 | 0.625 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| 1945 | 24.0 | 20.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0.250 | 0.375 | 0.250 | 0.625 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | 124 | 8 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 0.185 | 0.241 | 0.266 | 0.507 | -395.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | PHA | AL | 4 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.267 | 0.0 |
| 1917 | PHA | AL | 48 | 109 | 7 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 0.174 | -395.3 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 34 | 0 | 35 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | PHA | OF | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1917 | PHA | OF | 30 | 0 | 31 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 2 |
| Center Field | 6 |
| Right Field | 27 |