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
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.250 | 0.250 | 0.250 | 0.500 |
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
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | CHC | NL | 10 | 42 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.190 | 0.0 |
| 1944 | CHC | NL | 154 | 608 | 50 | 169 | 37 | 1 | 2 | 71 | 8 | 28 | 48 | 0.278 | -507.4 |
| 1945 | CHC | NL | 138 | 557 | 94 | 168 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 58 | 9 | 32 | 34 | 0.302 | 269.9 |
| 1946 | CHC | NL | 83 | 314 | 37 | 76 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 6 | 26 | 39 | 0.242 | -715.6 |
| 1947 | CHC | NL | 120 | 402 | 33 | 104 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 26 | 2 | 24 | 45 | 0.259 | -918.8 |
| 1948 | CHC | NL | 6 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
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
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | CHN | 2B | 10 | 0 | 32 | 35 | 3 | 8 |
| 1944 | CHN | 2B | 154 | 0 | 385 | 462 | 47 | 85 |
| 1945 | CHN | 2B | 138 | 0 | 309 | 440 | 19 | 74 |
| 1946 | CHN | 2B | 83 | 0 | 192 | 228 | 8 | 34 |
| 1947 | CHN | 2B | 108 | 0 | 255 | 291 | 17 | 65 |
| 1947 | CHN | 3B | 6 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 4 |
| 1948 | CHN | 2B | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1948 | CHN | 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
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 |