Davey Johnson

Date of Birth: 1/30/1943
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida
College: Texas A&M

Davey Johnson started in major league baseball as a player who had a stellar career, winning three gold gloves over a 13 year career. After playing college baseball for a year, Johnson was signed in 1962 by the Baltimore Orioles. He started his professional career in the minor leagues, staying there from 1962 to 1965. In 1965, he made his major league debut, playing in 20 games for the Orioles. As a second baseman, Johnson played for four teams: Baltimore Orioles, 1965-1972; Atlanta Braves, 1973-1975; Philadelphia Phillies, 1977-1978; Chicago Cubs, 1978.

Johnson's career statistics as a player include a batting average of .261, 1,252 hits, 242 doubles, 136 home runs, and 609 RBIs. He won three consecutive Gold Gloves (1969-1971) and he was named NL Comeback Player of the Year in 1973.

Johnson started his managing career the year after he left major league baseball as a player, managing in the minor leagues in 1979 and again from 1981 through 1983. The following year, the Mets hired him as their manager, a position he held until he was fired in 1990. In seven years with the Mets, Johnson led them to two first place finishes and five second place finishes. The team had six years with over a .500 win percentage, with over a .600 win percentage for three of those years (.605 in 1985, .667 in 1986, .625 in 1988). Their best year under Johnson's leadership was 1986 when they had 108 wins and they won the World Series.

Johnson's next managerial position was in 1993 with the Cincinnati Reds. In his three years with the Reds, Johnson led them to two first place finishes in the NL Central division, with win percentages of .579 in 1994 and .590 in 1995.

In 1996, Johnson returned to the Baltimore Orioles, this time as their manager. Under his leadership, they won the 1996 AL Wild Card and the AL East division title in 1997. Although he had two successful year with the Orioles, he did not stay with them as manager. However, in his final year with them (1997), Johnson won the AL Manager of the Year award.

In 1999 and 2000, Johnson managed the Los Angeles Dodgers. Their record in 2000 was 86-76, with a .531 win percentage and a second place finish in the NL West division.

Johnson did not manage in the major leagues from 2001 through 2010 but he returned in 2011 to manage the Washington Nationals. In 2012, Johnson and the Nationals surprised everyone by finishing in first place in the NL East division, with a 98-64 record and .605 win percentage. Johnson won his second Manager of the Year award for his successful efforts.

On September 29, 2013, Johnson announced his retirement. He worked as a consultant for the Nationals in 2014.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Davey Johnson
Baseball Reference - Davey Johnson, Player
Baseball Reference - Davey Johnson, Manager