Syl Johnson (baseball)

Sylvester W. Johnson, né Sylvester Johnson[1] (December 31, 1900 – February 20, 1985), was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher.

Syl Johnson
Pitcher
Born: (1900-12-31)December 31, 1900
Portland, Oregon
Died: February 20, 1985(1985-02-20) (aged 84)
Portland, Oregon
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 24, 1922, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
September 14, 1940, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
Win–loss record112–117
Earned run average4.06
Strikeouts920
Teams

Johnson's career lasted from 1922 to 1940 and he played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Philadelphia Phillies. In an emergency situation, he was the third base umpire in a game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds.[2] He was a coach for the Phillies from 1937 to 1941.[3] An early proponent of a pension plan for players, his proposal to Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis was rejected although a pension plan was approved in 1947.[3] He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.

Johnson died on February 20, 1985, aged 84, leaving his wife of 62 years, Ruth Heitsman Johnson.[3]

References
  1. "Syl Johnson Stats". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  2. "Brooklyn Dodgers 6, Cincinnati Reds 3". retrosheet.org. May 4, 1934. Retrieved October 25, 2019. HP umpire Ernie Quigley struck on the left side of the jaw by a Chick Hafey foul ball; Quigley left the game; 1B umpire Charlie Moran moved to HP; he selected Dodgers coach Otto Miller and Syl Johnson of the Reds as substitute umpires on the bases[.]
  3. Clifford, Matthew. "Syl Johnson". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved October 25, 2019.


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