Major League Baseball Player. He started off his career in 1940 at the age of 17 with Stone Mountain, Georgia. Joining the Kansas City Monarchs, he became a star. His manager Buck O'Neil said of him, "Connie was a good pitcher in the major leagues, but he was a great pitcher in the Negro Leagues. No comparison. He threw hard for the Monarchs. Hard. He had good control. Could have won 20 games in the big leagues. Oh yeah. Could have won 20 games every year. That's Connie Johnson." World War II service interrupted his career, and after a few more years with the Monarchs, he developed a sore arm. He stuck around in KC until 1950 and then moved to Canada to ply his trade, where he continued to pitch decent ball, although the arm trouble persisted. He could barely raise his arm above his head. It was while in Canada that he got the news that the Chicago White Sox had bought his contract. He made his debut on April 17, 1953, going 4-4 in 14 starts that season. Spending 1954 in the minors, he was back with the parent club in 1955, going 7-4 in 17 games. On May 21, 1956, he was traded along with Mike Fornieles, George Kell, and Bob Nieman to the Baltimore Orioles for Jim Wilson and Dave Philley. While in Baltimore, he experienced his greatest success as a major league pitcher. 1957 was his highwater mark as he led the Orioles starters in wins with 14, innings pitched with 242 and a 3.20 ERA. 1958 would prove to be his final year in the majors. Over the course of his carrier, Connie Johnson accrued a 40-39 record in 123 big league games with a 3.44 ERA in 716 innings pitched. He also had 8 shutouts and 1 save.
Major League Baseball Player. He started off his career in 1940 at the age of 17 with Stone Mountain, Georgia. Joining the Kansas City Monarchs, he became a star. His manager Buck O'Neil said of him, "Connie was a good pitcher in the major leagues, but he was a great pitcher in the Negro Leagues. No comparison. He threw hard for the Monarchs. Hard. He had good control. Could have won 20 games in the big leagues. Oh yeah. Could have won 20 games every year. That's Connie Johnson." World War II service interrupted his career, and after a few more years with the Monarchs, he developed a sore arm. He stuck around in KC until 1950 and then moved to Canada to ply his trade, where he continued to pitch decent ball, although the arm trouble persisted. He could barely raise his arm above his head. It was while in Canada that he got the news that the Chicago White Sox had bought his contract. He made his debut on April 17, 1953, going 4-4 in 14 starts that season. Spending 1954 in the minors, he was back with the parent club in 1955, going 7-4 in 17 games. On May 21, 1956, he was traded along with Mike Fornieles, George Kell, and Bob Nieman to the Baltimore Orioles for Jim Wilson and Dave Philley. While in Baltimore, he experienced his greatest success as a major league pitcher. 1957 was his highwater mark as he led the Orioles starters in wins with 14, innings pitched with 242 and a 3.20 ERA. 1958 would prove to be his final year in the majors. Over the course of his carrier, Connie Johnson accrued a 40-39 record in 123 big league games with a 3.44 ERA in 716 innings pitched. He also had 8 shutouts and 1 save.
Bio by: Frank Russo
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