Jim Johnson (left-handed pitcher)
Encyclopedia
James Brian Johnson was an American
professional baseball
player. A left-handed
pitcher
, he appeared in three Major League
games
during the early days of the season as a member of the San Francisco Giants
. Born in Muskegon, Michigan
, he stood 5 in 11 in (1.8 m) tall and weighed 195 pounds (88.5 kg).
An alumnus of Western Michigan University
, he entered professional baseball after being selected by the Giants in the third round of the secondary phase of the June 1967 Major League Baseball Draft
. After three years of seasoning in the Giants' farm system, he made the early-season roster of the 1970 Giants
.
His three MLB appearances all came in relief
. In his debut, April 13 at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, he took over from Giants' starting pitcher
Frank Reberger
in the first inning with the Giants trailing 4–0. He pitched creditably and held the Giants close until the fourth inning, when Atlanta reached him for five hits
and five earned runs en route to a 9–3 Braves' triumph. In his second appearance, three days later against the Houston Astros
, Johnson worked two hitless innings but his three bases on balls resulted in another earned run charged against his record; however, the Giants won that contest 11–9.
Finally, on April 18, 1970, Johnson again relieved Reberger after the starter experienced a tough outing. Entering the game against the Cincinnati Reds
at Crosley Field
in the fourth inning, Johnson allowed three inherited runners
to score, but eventually stopped a Cincinnati rally with the Reds' leading 8–3. Johnson then pitched a scoreless fifth inning and exited for a pinch hitter
in the top of the sixth; but in that inning, San Francisco ralled for seven runs and eventually won 16–9, earning Johnson the victory
.
He then was returned the Giants' minor league system
and he retired after the 1970 season. In the Majors, he allowed eight hits, six earned runs, and five bases on balls, while recording two strikeouts.
Johnson became an educator after leaving baseball, and in 1983 he was named superintendent of schools in North Muskegon, Michigan
. Four years later, he died from cancer
at the age of 42.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player. A left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, he appeared in three Major League
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...
games
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
during the early days of the season as a member of the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. Born in Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,401. The city is the county seat of Muskegon County...
, he stood 5 in 11 in (1.8 m) tall and weighed 195 pounds (88.5 kg).
An alumnus of Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
, he entered professional baseball after being selected by the Giants in the third round of the secondary phase of the June 1967 Major League Baseball Draft
1967 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1967 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :The June draft was filled with talented prospects who would go on to pro careers...
. After three years of seasoning in the Giants' farm system, he made the early-season roster of the 1970 Giants
1970 San Francisco Giants season
The San Francisco Giants season was the franchise's 88th season overall and 13th season in San Francisco. The Giants went 86-76, which was good for third place in the National League West, 16 games behind the NL Champion Cincinnati Reds.- Offseason :...
.
His three MLB appearances all came in relief
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. In his debut, April 13 at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, he took over from Giants' starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
Frank Reberger
Frank Reberger
Frank Beall Reberger is an American former professional baseball pitcher and coach in Major League Baseball.-Playing career:...
in the first inning with the Giants trailing 4–0. He pitched creditably and held the Giants close until the fourth inning, when Atlanta reached him for five hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and five earned runs en route to a 9–3 Braves' triumph. In his second appearance, three days later against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, Johnson worked two hitless innings but his three bases on balls resulted in another earned run charged against his record; however, the Giants won that contest 11–9.
Finally, on April 18, 1970, Johnson again relieved Reberger after the starter experienced a tough outing. Entering the game against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
at Crosley Field
Crosley Field
Crosley Field was a Major League Baseball park located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the home field of the National League's Cincinnati Reds from 1912 through June 24, 1970, and the original Cincinnati Bengals football team, members of the second and third American Football League...
in the fourth inning, Johnson allowed three inherited runners
Inherited runners
In baseball statistics, inherited runners, or inherited baserunners, are the runners on base when a relief pitcher enters the game. Since a previous pitcher has allowed these runners to reach base , any inherited runners who score when the relief pitcher is pitching are charged to the previous...
to score, but eventually stopped a Cincinnati rally with the Reds' leading 8–3. Johnson then pitched a scoreless fifth inning and exited for a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
in the top of the sixth; but in that inning, San Francisco ralled for seven runs and eventually won 16–9, earning Johnson the victory
Decision (baseball)
A decision is a statistical credit given to a baseball pitcher.There are two types of decisions: win and loss.In order to receive a win, the starting pitcher must complete at least five innings and leave with the lead. If the pitcher's lead is preserved by the bullpen, he is credited with a win...
.
He then was returned the Giants' minor league system
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
and he retired after the 1970 season. In the Majors, he allowed eight hits, six earned runs, and five bases on balls, while recording two strikeouts.
Johnson became an educator after leaving baseball, and in 1983 he was named superintendent of schools in North Muskegon, Michigan
North Muskegon, Michigan
North Muskegon is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,031 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.1 square miles , of which, 1.8 square miles of it is land and 2.3 square miles of it is...
. Four years later, he died from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
at the age of 42.