Earl Johnson (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Earl Douglas Johnson was an American
professional baseball
player and scout and a decorated World War II
veteran. He was a left-handed
pitcher
for the Boston Red Sox
and the Detroit Tigers
. Johnson, who was nicknamed the "smiling Swedish southpaw", had a brother Chet
who also pitched in the major leagues for the St. Louis Browns
. He was born in Redmond, Washington
.
veteran, having served with the Army 120th Infantry Regiment
, 30th Infantry Division. He enlisted in December 1941 and during that time he was awarded a Silver
and Bronze Star
and was commissioned a lieutenant.
On the bronze star it read:
and the Detroit Tigers
. He also pitched two years at Saint Mary's College of California
and four years in the minor leagues (three at AAA). For over 44 years, he was associated with the Red Sox as a player and scout
, and during his time, he was affiliated in signing some players such as Ted Bowsfield
, Mike Garman
and Steve Lyons
. His final game was on June 3, 1951. At the age of 75, he died in Seattle, Washington
.
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 and scout and a decorated World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veteran. He was 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...
for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. Johnson, who was nicknamed the "smiling Swedish southpaw", had a brother Chet
Chet Johnson
Chester Lillis "Chesty Chet" Johnson was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the St. Louis Browns in . His brother, Earl Johnson, played for the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers.-External links:...
who also pitched in the major leagues for the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. He was born in Redmond, Washington
Redmond, Washington
Redmond is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located east of Seattle. The population was 54,144 at the 2010 census,up from 45,256 in 2000....
.
Army Life
Earl Johnson was also famous for being a World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veteran, having served with the Army 120th Infantry Regiment
120th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 120th Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Army National Guard.The unit is an organic element of the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team of the North Carolina Army National Guard...
, 30th Infantry Division. He enlisted in December 1941 and during that time he was awarded a Silver
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
and Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
and was commissioned a lieutenant.
On the bronze star it read:
Major League Baseball
Johnson's debut was on July 20, 1940. For eight years, Johnson pitched for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. He also pitched two years at Saint Mary's College of California
Saint Mary's College of California
Saint Mary's College of California is a private, coeducational college located in Moraga, California, United States, a small suburban community about east of Oakland and 20 miles east of San Francisco. It has a 420-acre campus in the Moraga hills. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church...
and four years in the minor leagues (three at AAA). For over 44 years, he was associated with the Red Sox as a player and scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
, and during his time, he was affiliated in signing some players such as Ted Bowsfield
Ted Bowsfield
Edward Oliver Bowsfield is a former major league pitcher.He pitched a total of 7 seasons going 37-39 W-L Record with a 4.35 ERA. He played for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, and the Kansas City Athletics.-Boston Red Sox:Ted Bowsfield debuted with the Boston Red Sox on...
, Mike Garman
Mike Garman
Michael Douglas Garman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher whom the Boston Red Sox selected with the third overall pick in the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft...
and Steve Lyons
Steve Lyons (baseball)
Stephen John Lyons is a former Major League Baseball player and a television sportscaster. He is of French and Irish descent, and currently resides in Hermosa Beach, California....
. His final game was on June 3, 1951. At the age of 75, he died in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
.
External links
- Historical Statistics at MLB.com