Connie Johnson
Encyclopedia
Connie Johnson, born Clifford Johnson Jr. (December 27, 1922 — November 28, 2004), was an American
professional baseball
player, a pitcher in the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball
.
of the Negro Leagues at the age of only 17. After a great season, he was selected to the East-West All-Star game, and was the youngest player ever to do so. He was one of the pitchers on the Monarchs 1942 Negro World Series champion team that included future Hall of Famers Satchel Paige
and Hilton Smith
. In 1943 he took a break from baseball to fight for the US in World War II
. In 1946 he returned to the Monarchs and played for them until 1950. In his final season in the Negro Leagues he made his second East-West All-Star game after going 11-2.
after the season.
and 44 strikeouts. After spending the entire 1954 season in the minors, he started 16 games in 1955. He finished the season 7-4 with a 3.45 ERA and 72 strikeouts. In 1956 he pitched in 5 games for the White Sox going 0-1 with 6 strikeouts and a 3.65 ERA. Overall with the White Sox he appeared in 36 games, 28 starts, going 11-9 with 122 strikeouts.
, George Kell
, and Bob Nieman
to the Baltimore Orioles
for Jim Wilson
and Dave Philley
. He started 25 games for the Orioles in 1956 going 9-10 with 130 strikeouts and a 3.43 ERA. Johnson had his best season major league season in 1957, going 14-11 with 177 strikeouts and a 3.20 ERA. In his final major league season in 1958 he went 6-9 with 68 strikeouts and a 3.88 ERA. He finished his five-year major league career going 40-39 with 497 strikeouts and a 3.44 ERA.
of the Pacific Coast League
going 8-4. After playing for a team in Puebla, Mexico
he retired after 1960.
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, a pitcher in the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Kansas City Monarchs
Johnson played in his first game for the Kansas City MonarchsKansas City Monarchs
The Kansas City Monarchs were the longest-running franchise in the history of baseball's Negro Leagues. Operating in Kansas City, Missouri and owned by J.L. Wilkinson, they were charter members of the Negro National League from 1920 to 1930. J.L. Wilkinson was the first Caucasian owner at the time...
of the Negro Leagues at the age of only 17. After a great season, he was selected to the East-West All-Star game, and was the youngest player ever to do so. He was one of the pitchers on the Monarchs 1942 Negro World Series champion team that included future Hall of Famers Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
and Hilton Smith
Hilton Smith
Hilton Lee Smith was an American right-handed pitcher in Negro league baseball. In 2001 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.-Biography:...
. In 1943 he took a break from baseball to fight for the US in 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...
. In 1946 he returned to the Monarchs and played for them until 1950. In his final season in the Negro Leagues he made his second East-West All-Star game after going 11-2.
Canadian league
In 1951 Johnson played for a team in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. After leading the Canadian Provincial League in strikeouts, his contract was purchased by the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
after the season.
Chicago White Sox
After a couple of seasons in the minors Johnson made his major league debut at the age of 30 on April 17, 1953. During his first season he played in 14 games, 10 starts, going 4-4 with a 3.56 ERAEarned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and 44 strikeouts. After spending the entire 1954 season in the minors, he started 16 games in 1955. He finished the season 7-4 with a 3.45 ERA and 72 strikeouts. In 1956 he pitched in 5 games for the White Sox going 0-1 with 6 strikeouts and a 3.65 ERA. Overall with the White Sox he appeared in 36 games, 28 starts, going 11-9 with 122 strikeouts.
Baltimore Orioles
On May 21, 1956 the White Sox traded Johnson along with Mike FornielesMike Fornieles
Jose Miguel "Mike" Fornieles was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of twelve seasons with the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox...
, George Kell
George Kell
George Clyde Kell was an American baseball third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Athletics , Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox , and Baltimore Orioles in the American League, who went on to become a baseball broadcaster for 40 years.-Playing career:In college, Kell...
, and Bob Nieman
Bob Nieman
Robert Charles Nieman was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles , St. Louis Cardinals , Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants...
to the Baltimore Orioles
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...
for Jim Wilson
Jim Wilson (pitcher)
James Alger Wilson , was a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1945-1958. He would play for the Boston Red Sox, St...
and Dave Philley
Dave Philley
David Earl Philley is a former outfielder who played in Major League Baseball. A switch-hitter who threw right-handed, he debuted on September 6, and played his final game on August 6, . He was born in Paris, Texas....
. He started 25 games for the Orioles in 1956 going 9-10 with 130 strikeouts and a 3.43 ERA. Johnson had his best season major league season in 1957, going 14-11 with 177 strikeouts and a 3.20 ERA. In his final major league season in 1958 he went 6-9 with 68 strikeouts and a 3.88 ERA. He finished his five-year major league career going 40-39 with 497 strikeouts and a 3.44 ERA.
Final years
In 1959 Johnson played for the Vancouver MountiesVancouver Mounties
The Vancouver Mounties were a high-level minor league baseball club based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Mounties played in the Pacific Coast League from 1956 through 1962 as the relocated Oakland Oaks franchise, and from 1965 through 1969 when the Dallas Rangers moved back to Canada.The...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
going 8-4. After playing for a team in Puebla, Mexico
Puebla, Mexico
Puebla, Mexico, may refer to:*Puebla, one of the 32 component federal entities of the United Mexican States*Puebla, Puebla, capital city of that state...
he retired after 1960.