Lamar Johnson
Born: 9/2/1950 in Bessemer, AL, USA
MLB Debut: 1974-05-18 | Final Game: 1982-10-02
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 215 lbs
Biography
Lamar Johnson, born in 1950, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1974 until his retirement in 1982. Over the course of his career, he played in 792 games, compiling 755 hits with a commendable batting average of .287. Johnson was known for his versatility as a position player, contributing not only with his bat but also with his ability to steal bases, finishing his career with 22 stolen bases. His power at the plate was evident, as he recorded 64 home runs and drove in 381 runs, making him a reliable offensive asset for his teams.
Johnson's playing career unfolded during a dynamic era in baseball, characterized by a transition from the deadball era to a more offensively charged game. His approach at the plate combined a keen eye for hitting with a solid understanding of situational baseball, allowing him to thrive as a key contributor. While he may not have been a household name, Johnson's consistency and performance earned him respect among peers and fans alike, solidifying his legacy as a valuable player in the annals of baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 792 | 2631 | 294 | 755 | 122 | 12 | 64 | 381 | 22 | 211 | 307 | 0.287 | 0.338 | 0.415 | 0.754 | 2894.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | CHW | AL | 10 | 29 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.345 | 0.0 |
| 1975 | CHW | AL | 8 | 30 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0.200 | 0.0 |
| 1976 | CHW | AL | 82 | 222 | 29 | 71 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 33 | 2 | 19 | 37 | 0.320 | 702.8 |
| 1977 | CHW | AL | 118 | 374 | 52 | 113 | 12 | 5 | 18 | 65 | 1 | 24 | 53 | 0.302 | 1051.0 |
| 1978 | CHW | AL | 148 | 498 | 52 | 136 | 23 | 2 | 8 | 72 | 6 | 43 | 46 | 0.273 | 17.8 |
| 1979 | CHW | AL | 133 | 479 | 60 | 148 | 29 | 1 | 12 | 74 | 8 | 41 | 56 | 0.309 | 1124.6 |
| 1980 | CHW | AL | 147 | 541 | 51 | 150 | 26 | 3 | 13 | 81 | 2 | 47 | 53 | 0.277 | 330.6 |
| 1981 | CHW | AL | 41 | 134 | 10 | 37 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 0.276 | -163.5 |
| 1982 | TEX | AL | 105 | 324 | 37 | 84 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 38 | 3 | 31 | 40 | 0.259 | -169.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 422 | 380 | 3317 | 263 | 41 | 306 |
| OF | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | CHA | 1B | 7 | 6 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| 1975 | CHA | 1B | 6 | 5 | 46 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 1976 | CHA | 1B | 34 | 27 | 210 | 18 | 4 | 20 |
| 1976 | CHA | OF | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1977 | CHA | 1B | 45 | 38 | 346 | 32 | 4 | 31 |
| 1978 | CHA | 1B | 108 | 93 | 887 | 71 | 8 | 74 |
| 1979 | CHA | 1B | 94 | 90 | 748 | 63 | 11 | 62 |
| 1980 | CHA | 1B | 80 | 77 | 671 | 56 | 7 | 70 |
| 1981 | CHA | 1B | 36 | 32 | 264 | 15 | 3 | 31 |
| 1982 | TEX | 1B | 12 | 12 | 105 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 421 |
| Left Field | 1 |
| Designated Hitter | 327 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Player of the Month | April |
| 1980 | Player of the Week | Week of 1980-04-11 |