Lou Johnson: Difference between revisions
Left fielder was NOT correct because he played all three outfield posts, and for the Dodgers, more often in right field. |
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*Participated in [[1966 World Series]] |
*Participated in [[1966 World Series]] |
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'''Louis Brown Johnson''' (born September 22, 1934 in [[Lexington, Kentucky]]), nicknamed "''Sweet Lou''" and "''Slick''", is a former [[Major League Baseball |
'''Louis Brown Johnson''' (born September 22, 1934 in [[Lexington, Kentucky]]), nicknamed "''Sweet Lou''" and "''Slick''", is a former [[Major League Baseball [[outfielder]]. From 1962 through 1969, Johnson played for the [[1962 Milwaukee Braves season|1962 Milwaukee Braves]], was back in the minor league for '63 and '64, then played for the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] (1965 - 67), [[1968 Chicago Cubs season|1968 Chicago Cubs]], [[1968 Cleveland Indians season|1968 Cleveland Indians]], and the [[1969 California Angels season|1969 California Angels]]. Johnson both batted and threw right-handed. |
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A star in [[basketball]] as well as baseball in high school, Johnson dreamt of playing basketball at the [[University of Kentucky]] under the legendary coach [[Adolph Rupp]]. However, at the time, members of the [[Southeastern Conference]] (of which Kentucky is an affiliate) weren't recruiting black athletes. Some colleges didn't even allow black students to enroll. [http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/rupp.html#evidencepro] |
A star in [[basketball]] as well as baseball in high school, Johnson dreamt of playing basketball at the [[University of Kentucky]] under the legendary coach [[Adolph Rupp]]. However, at the time, members of the [[Southeastern Conference]] (of which Kentucky is an affiliate) weren't recruiting black athletes. Some colleges didn't even allow black students to enroll. [http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/rupp.html#evidencepro] |
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Johnson was signed up by the [[New York Yankees]] as an amateur [[free agent]] in [[1953 in baseball|1953]]. |
Johnson was signed up by the [[New York Yankees]] as an amateur [[free agent]] in [[1953 in baseball|1953]]. After moving around from team to team in the [[minor league baseball|minor leagues]] for a decade, Johnson finally made it into the major leagues for a stretch beginning in [[1965 in baseball|1965]] with the Los Angeles Dodgers, after a broken ankle in early May sidelined their regular left fielder, [[Tommy Davis]], for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hFAaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rxAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7247,4480835&dq=lou-johnson+baseball+tommy-davis&hl=en|title=Lou Johnson keeps Dodgers in pennant race|last=Murray|first=Jim|date=27 August 1965|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|Milwaukee Sentinel]]|page=7|accessdate=4 June 2010}}</ref> |
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In the 1965 season, Johnson scored the only run in [[Sandy Koufax]]'s [[perfect game]] when he [[base on balls|walked]], went to [[second base]] on a [[sacrifice bunt]], [[stolen base|stole]] [[third base]], and then [[run (baseball)|scored]] on a throwing [[error]] by the [[Chicago Cubs]] [[catcher]], [[Chris Krug]]. In the [[1965 World Series]], Johnson hit two [[home run]]s, including the game winning one in the decisive seventh game. |
In the 1965 season, Johnson scored the only run in [[Sandy Koufax]]'s [[perfect game]] when he [[base on balls|walked]], went to [[second base]] on a [[sacrifice bunt]], [[stolen base|stole]] [[third base]], and then [[run (baseball)|scored]] on a throwing [[error]] by the [[Chicago Cubs]] [[catcher]], [[Chris Krug]]. In the [[1965 World Series]], Johnson hit two [[home run]]s, including the game winning one in the decisive seventh game. |
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Revision as of 06:01, 21 August 2010
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| Lou Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Outfielder | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| debut | |
| April 17, 1960, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Last appearance | |
| September 6, 1969, for the California Angels | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .258 |
| Home runs | 48 |
| Runs batted in | 232 |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Louis Brown Johnson (born September 22, 1934 in Lexington, Kentucky), nicknamed "Sweet Lou" and "Slick", is a former [[Major League Baseball outfielder. From 1962 through 1969, Johnson played for the 1962 Milwaukee Braves, was back in the minor league for '63 and '64, then played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1965 - 67), 1968 Chicago Cubs, 1968 Cleveland Indians, and the 1969 California Angels. Johnson both batted and threw right-handed.
A star in basketball as well as baseball in high school, Johnson dreamt of playing basketball at the University of Kentucky under the legendary coach Adolph Rupp. However, at the time, members of the Southeastern Conference (of which Kentucky is an affiliate) weren't recruiting black athletes. Some colleges didn't even allow black students to enroll. [1]
Johnson was signed up by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1953. After moving around from team to team in the minor leagues for a decade, Johnson finally made it into the major leagues for a stretch beginning in 1965 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, after a broken ankle in early May sidelined their regular left fielder, Tommy Davis, for the remainder of the season.[1]
In the 1965 season, Johnson scored the only run in Sandy Koufax's perfect game when he walked, went to second base on a sacrifice bunt, stole third base, and then scored on a throwing error by the Chicago Cubs catcher, Chris Krug. In the 1965 World Series, Johnson hit two home runs, including the game winning one in the decisive seventh game.
In his approximately eight-year-long Major League career, Johnson posted a .258 average with 48 home runs and 232 RBI in 677 games.
Today, Sweet Lou is an integral part of the Dodgers’ Community Relations efforts and a member of the Dodgers Speakers’ Bureau, while remaining active with various charities in Southern California and nationally, as well. Johnson serves as a member of the advisory board of the Baseball Assistance Team, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping former Major League, Minor League, and Negro League players through financial and medical difficulties.
References
- ^ Murray, Jim (27 August 1965). "Lou Johnson keeps Dodgers in pennant race". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 7. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
External links
- Baseball Library - profile
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference