About Don Johnson
Lived 1926 – 2015 (aged 88). Don Johnson was an American baseball player.
Donald Roy Johnson (November 12, 1926 – February 10, 2015) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. The , right-hander was signed by the New York Yankees before the 1944 season and played for the Yankees (1947, 1950), St. Louis Browns (1950–51), Washington Senators (1951–52), Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles (1955), and San Francisco Giants (1958).
Johnson made his major league debut on April 20, 1947, starting game 2 of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics at Shibe Park. He was the winning pitcher in the 10-inning, 3–2 Yankee victory, and went on to have a 4–3 record for the 1947 World Series Champions.
Johnson pitched both as a starter and in relief during his long, well-traveled career. His best season statistically was in 1954 with the White Sox. He won 8, lost 7, had a 3.12 earned run average, and finished in the American League Top ten in games pitched, saves, and shutouts.
Career totals include a record of 27–38 in 198 games, 70 games started, 17 complete games, 5 shutouts, 62 games finished, 12 saves, and an ERA of 4.78. He had a rather high WHIP of 1.580 in 631 innings pitched.
Johnson led the International League with 156 strikeouts and a 2.67 ERA while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1953. He was voted the IL's most valuable pitcher in 1957.
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Important facts
People in Don Johnson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Don Johnson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Don Johnson?
American baseball pitcher (1926-2015)
When was Don Johnson born?
Don Johnson was born on 12 November 1926 in Portland.
When did Don Johnson die?
Don Johnson died on 10 February 2015.
What was Don Johnson's occupation?
Don Johnson was a baseball player.
What nationality was Don Johnson?
Don Johnson was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Don Johnson (pitcher)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Don Johnson. https://biography.guide/don-johnson-baseball-player/
MLA: "Don Johnson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/don-johnson-baseball-player/.
Chicago: "Don Johnson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/don-johnson-baseball-player/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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