Professional Baseball Player. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, he was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1936. After playing several seasons with the Newark Bears, the Yankees farm team, he made the parent club to stay in 1943, winning Rookie of the Year honors. That season he batted .280 with five homers and 94 RBI, while playing an exceptional third base. He went on to bat an even .300 for the Bombers in that fall's World Series, which New York won in five games over the Cardinals. Serving in the US Army during World War II, he missed the 1944 and 1945 campaigns. After the war, Johnson returned to the Yankees, becoming their primary third baseman for the next four seasons, after which manager Casey Stengel used him as a utility man. On May 14, 1951, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Don Bollweg and $15,000 cash. He stayed with St. Louis until May 18, 1953, at which time he was released. He played in four World Series with the Yankees, 1943, 1947, 1949 and 1950, batting .237 with 5 RBI overall. He was also selected to the American League All-Star team in 1947. After his sports career, Johnson worked for the Graniteville Company as a shipping supervisor, retiring after almost 30 years of service. In nine seasons in the majors, he batted .271 with 61 homers and 487 RBI.
Professional Baseball Player. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, he was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1936. After playing several seasons with the Newark Bears, the Yankees farm team, he made the parent club to stay in 1943, winning Rookie of the Year honors. That season he batted .280 with five homers and 94 RBI, while playing an exceptional third base. He went on to bat an even .300 for the Bombers in that fall's World Series, which New York won in five games over the Cardinals. Serving in the US Army during World War II, he missed the 1944 and 1945 campaigns. After the war, Johnson returned to the Yankees, becoming their primary third baseman for the next four seasons, after which manager Casey Stengel used him as a utility man. On May 14, 1951, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Don Bollweg and $15,000 cash. He stayed with St. Louis until May 18, 1953, at which time he was released. He played in four World Series with the Yankees, 1943, 1947, 1949 and 1950, batting .237 with 5 RBI overall. He was also selected to the American League All-Star team in 1947. After his sports career, Johnson worked for the Graniteville Company as a shipping supervisor, retiring after almost 30 years of service. In nine seasons in the majors, he batted .271 with 61 homers and 487 RBI.
Bio by: Frank Russo
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