Ron Johnson (baseball)
Ron Johnson | |
---|---|
First baseman | |
Born: Long Beach, California, U.S. | March 23, 1956|
Died: January 26, 2021 Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S. | (aged 64)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 12, 1982, for the Kansas City Royals | |
Last MLB appearance | |
June 22, 1984, for the Montreal Expos | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .261 |
Games played | 22 |
Teams | |
As player
As coach |
Ronald David Johnson (March 23, 1956 – January 26, 2021) was an American
Johnson was a first baseman for the Kansas City Royals and Montreal Expos during his brief Major League Baseball (MLB) playing career from 1982 to 1984. He threw and batted right-handed, and was listed at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and 215 pounds (98 kg). Johnson was also a former first base coach of the Boston Red Sox of MLB in 2010 and 2011.
Playing career
Johnson was a native of
Johnson played in 22 major league games over parts of three seasons,
Coaching and managerial career
Kansas City Royals
Shortly after his playing days ended in 1985, Johnson became a coach in the Royals' minor league system.[5] He served as a coach within the Kansas City organization for six seasons, before becoming a manager.[4]
Johnson made his managerial debut with the
Boston Red Sox
Johnson joined the
On November 23, 2009, Johnson was appointed as first base coach for the major league Red Sox.[11] He held the post for two seasons, but on October 5, 2011, Johnson was fired from the Red Sox staff following the departure of manager Terry Francona.[12]
Baltimore Orioles
Johnson was next appointed manager of the Norfolk Tides, Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and led them to back-to-back winning seasons in 2012 and 2013. In 2015, he managed the Tides to a division title and was named the International League Manager of the Year.[13] The 2018 campaign marked his seventh consecutive year as Norfolk's manager, and he holds the franchise record for games won as a manager (491).[13] During the year, Johnson was named the winner of the Orioles' Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award,[14] but at the close of the season, he was released by the Baltimore organization as it underwent a significant front-office transition amid the departures of general manager Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter.[1]
Johnson's minor league managerial
Personal life
Johnson and his wife, Daphne, had five children.[15]
His son Chris was drafted in the 37th round by the Red Sox in June 2003 but instead opted for college; and was later drafted by the Houston Astros. Primarily a third baseman, Chris Johnson spent a dozen years in professional baseball, including all or parts of eight seasons (2009–16) in the majors with five teams. He had a breakout season in 2013 with the Atlanta Braves, finishing second in the National League batting race at .321. He also led the Braves in doubles (34) and finished second on the club in hits (165). Chris spent part of the 2017 season reunited with his father as a member of the Triple-A Tides in the Baltimore organization.[16]
Johnson took an emergency leave from his coaching duties with the Red Sox on August 1, 2010, after his youngest daughter was seriously injured when hit by a car while horse riding.[17] He missed the rest of the season but was able to return to the Red Sox at the outset of spring training in 2011.[18]
Johnson died as a result of COVID-19 on January 26, 2021, at the age of 64.[19]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Hall, David (October 30, 2018). "Orioles, Tide skipper part ways". The Virginian-Pilot.
- ^ "Kansas City Royals 18, Minnesota Twins 7". Retrosheet. September 12, 1982.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Hall, David (July 8, 2014). "Venerable Tides manager calls them as he sees them". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ Adler, David (January 26, 2021). "Former Minors manager Johnson dies at 64". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Ron Johnson Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ Connolly, Dan (September 1, 2015). "Ron Johnson named IL Manager of Year; Dariel Alvarez, Oliver Drake also honored". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ "1995 Texas League". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ "1999 Pacific Coast League". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ Gillooly, John (July 20, 2017). "PawSox Journal: Pitching in to help Little League in Rhode Island". The Providence Journal.
- ^ Abraham, Peter (November 23, 2009). "Red Sox finalize coaching staff". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
- ^ Abraham, Peter (October 5, 2011). "Report: Red Sox Let 1B coach Ron Johnson go". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ MiLB.com. Norfolk Tides. February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
- ^ MiLB.com. Norfolk Tides. January 12, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
- ^ McDonald, Joe (December 29, 2010). "Healing is a family affair for Johnsons". ESPN. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
- ^ Hall, David (April 18, 2017). "Tides manager Ron Johnson reveling in time he gets to spend with son Chris on the roster". The Virginian-Pilot.
- ^ Frazier, Brent (August 8, 2010). "Red Sox coach Ron Johnson nearly loses daughter in accident". The Patriot Ledger. Quincy, Massachusetts. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Red Sox First Base Coach Ron Johnson: Daughter's Accident a 'Living Nightmare'". WBZ-TV. February 26, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ Hall, David (January 26, 2021). "Former Norfolk Tides manager Ron Johnson dies of COVID-19". The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk, Virginia. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
Further reading
- Ruiz, Nathan (January 26, 2021). "Ron Johnson, former manager of Orioles' Triple-A affiliate Norfolk Tides, dies of COVID-19 complications". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- Speier, Alex (January 31, 2021). "'Larger than life:' Remembering Ron Johnson, whose minor-league coaching career left lasting impressions — and laughs". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Triple-A Norfolk Tides manager Ron Johnson chats with Jim Hunter via YouTube
Sporting positions | ||
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Preceded by | Memphis Chicks manager 1994 |
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Preceded by | Wichita Wranglers manager 1995–1997 |
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Preceded by | Omaha Royals/ Golden Spikes manager 1998–1999 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Trenton Thunder manager 2002 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Portland Sea Dogs manager 2003–2004 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Pawtucket Red Sox manager 2005–2009 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Boston Red Sox first-base coach 2010–2011 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Norfolk Tides manager 2012–2018 |
Succeeded by |