Billy Johnson (baseball player)
Encyclopedia
William Russell Johnson was a former third baseman
in Major League Baseball
who played with the New York Yankees
in the 1940s and later with the St. Louis Cardinals
. Johnson was born in Montclair, New Jersey
on August 30, 1918.
He debuted in . He had an impressive rookie season which earned him 4th place in American League
MVP voting. After missing two years for wartime service, he returned to spend the next five seasons as a regular third baseman. Johnson was named an All-Star
in , and was a part of four championship teams in his six seasons as a regular. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
in to allow Gil McDougald
, a hot prospect for the Yankees, to play his position full time. He served as the Cards' third baseman for two years before retiring during the season.
In later years he worked as a shipping supervisor in Augusta
, Georgia
. He died on June 20, 2006.
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 1940s and later with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. Johnson was born in Montclair, New Jersey
Montclair, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,977 people, 15,020 households, and 9,687 families residing in the township. The population density was 6,183.6 people per square mile . There were 15,531 housing units at an average density of 2,464.0 per square mile...
on August 30, 1918.
He debuted in . He had an impressive rookie season which earned him 4th place in American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
MVP voting. After missing two years for wartime service, he returned to spend the next five seasons as a regular third baseman. Johnson was named an All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in , and was a part of four championship teams in his six seasons as a regular. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in to allow Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
, a hot prospect for the Yankees, to play his position full time. He served as the Cards' third baseman for two years before retiring during the season.
In later years he worked as a shipping supervisor in Augusta
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. He died on June 20, 2006.