Don Johnson, baseball player, 1943-1948

Don Johnson

Born: 12/7/1911 in Chicago, IL, USA

Died: 4/6/2000 in Laguna Beach, CA, USA

MLB Debut: 1943-09-26 | Final Game: 1948-05-16

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 170 lbs

Full name: Donald Spore Johnson

Biography

Don Johnson was born in 1911 and made his mark in Major League Baseball during his career from 1943 to 1948. As a position player, Johnson appeared in 511 games, where he showcased his offensive skills with a career batting average of .273, accumulating 528 hits, 8 home runs, and 175 RBIs. His speed on the base paths was evident as he recorded 26 stolen bases throughout his career. Johnson’s achievements earned him two selections as an All-Star, highlighting his impact and recognition during an era characterized by the transition from the deadball period to a more offensive-minded game. Playing primarily in the mid-1940s, Johnson navigated a league that was beginning to see the integration of African American players and a shift toward a more dynamic style of play. His contributions to the teams he played for were significant, as he combined solid hitting with a keen ability to swipe bases, making him a valuable asset in the lineup. Johnson’s dedication to the game and his performance on the field left a lasting impression on fans and teammates alike, marking him as a noteworthy player of his time.

Negro Leagues Career Statistics

Batting

PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB BA OBP SLG OPS
4.0 4.0 1.0 1.0 0 0 0 1.0 0 0 0 0.250 0.250 0.250 0.500

Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
511 1935 219 528 89 6 8 175 26 112 171 0.273 0.315 0.337 0.653 -1871.9

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
7 29 4 5 2 1 0 0 0 8 0.172

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1945 WS CHN 7 29 4 5 2 1 0 0 0 8 0.172

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
2B 495 0 1175 1457 94 267
3B 8 0 6 13 2 5

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Second Base 495
Third Base 8

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
Oregon State University Corvallis OR 1932

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1945 Most Valuable Player NL 21th 7.0 336 0