Johnny Edwards (baseball player)
Encyclopedia
John Alban Edwards was a former professional
baseball
catcher
known for his excellent defensive skills. He played in the Major Leagues
for the Cincinnati Reds
(1961–67), St. Louis Cardinals
(1968) and Houston Astros
(1969–74).
where he led the team in hits (24) in 1958 and was initiated into the Phi Kappa Tau
fraternity. He was signed as an amateur free agent
by the Cincinnati Reds in 1959
. In his rookie season, he backed up Jerry Zimmerman
and helped the Reds win the 1961
National League
pennant
. In the 1961 World Series
Edwards had 4 hits and 2 RBIs in a losing cause, as the New York Yankees
defeated the Reds in 5 games.
While his subsequent offensive statistics diminished, he developed into one of the best defensive catchers in the National League
. On June 14, 1965
, Edwards was the Reds catcher when pitcher
Jim Maloney
went 10 innings
against the New York Mets
without allowing a hit. Edwards left the game in the 10th inning for a pinch runner
with the game in a scoreless tie, as the Mets went on to break up the no hitter and score a run
to win the game in the 11th inning. A little more than two months later, on August 19, 1965, Edwards was once again the catcher as Maloney threw another 10 innings without allowing a hit. This time the Reds scored a run, securing the victory and the no hitter for Maloney.
With the arrival of Johnny Bench
, the Reds traded Edwards to the St. Louis Cardinals for Pat Corrales
and Jimy Williams
on February 8, 1968
. With the Cardinals, he played backup catcher to Tim McCarver
, helping them win the National League pennant, however, they would subsequently lose to the Detroit Tigers
in the 1968 World Series
. He caught another no hitter with the Cardinals on September 18, 1968 with Ray Washburn
pitching. On October 11, 1968 Edwards was traded with minor league
player Tommy Smith to the Houston Astros for Dave Giusti
and Dave Adlesh
. After playing his first season for the Houston Astros
in 1969
, he finished 36th in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player Award.
, producing 1,106 hits
in 4,577 at bats for a .242 batting average
along with 81 home run
s and 524 runs batted in. He was voted to three National League
All-Star
teams in 1963
, 1964
and 1965
. A solid defensive player, he won the National League
Gold Glove Award
for catchers in 1963
and 1964
, and led National League catchers in fielding percentage
four times in 1963, 1969, 1970
and 1971
. He also led the league four times in assists
and three times in putout
s. In 1969, Edwards set single season records for catchers with 1135 putouts and 1221 total chances
. Richard Kendall of the Society for American Baseball Research
devised an unscientific study that ranked Edwards as the second most dominating fielding catcher in major league history. As of the end of the 2009 Major League Baseball
season he ranked 79th on the All-Time Intentional Walks List.
During the off-season while with the Reds, Edwards worked as an engineer for General Electric
in research and development for nuclear fuel elements. He was inducted into the Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame in August 2008. He was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame
in September 2008.
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....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
known for his excellent defensive skills. He played in the Major Leagues
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...
for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1961–67), St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1968) and Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
(1969–74).
Playing career
Edwards graduated from Ohio State UniversityOhio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
where he led the team in hits (24) in 1958 and was initiated into the Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau is a U.S. national collegiate fraternity.-History:Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity was founded in the Union Literary Society Hall of Miami University's Old Main Building in Oxford, Ohio on March 17, 1906...
fraternity. He was signed as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the Cincinnati Reds in 1959
1959 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season consisted of the Reds finishing in a fifth-place tie with the Chicago Cubs in the National League standings, with a record of 74-80, 13 games behind the NL and World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers...
. In his rookie season, he backed up Jerry Zimmerman
Jerry Zimmerman
Gerald Robert Zimmerman was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds and the Minnesota Twins from 1961 to 1968...
and helped the Reds win the 1961
1961 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Reds winning the National League pennant with a record of 93-61, four games over the runner-up Los Angeles Dodgers, but losing the World Series in five games to the New York Yankees. The Reds were managed by Fred...
National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
. In the 1961 World Series
1961 World Series
The 1961 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Cincinnati Reds , with the Yankees winning in five games to earn their 19th championship in 39 seasons. This World Series was surrounded by Cold War political puns pitting the "Reds" against the "Yanks"...
Edwards had 4 hits and 2 RBIs in a losing cause, as the New York Yankees
1961 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 59th season for the team in New York, and its 61st season overall. The team finished with a record of 109-53, eight games ahead of the Detroit Tigers, and won their 26th American League pennant. New York was managed by Ralph Houk. The Yankees played their home...
defeated the Reds in 5 games.
While his subsequent offensive statistics diminished, he developed into one of the best defensive catchers in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. On June 14, 1965
1965 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season consisted of the Reds finishing in fourth place in the National League, with a record of 89-73, eight games behind the NL and World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers...
, Edwards was the Reds catcher when pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Jim Maloney
Jim Maloney
James William Maloney is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Cincinnati Reds and California Angels...
went 10 innings
Innings
An inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
against the New York Mets
1965 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the 4th regular season for the Mets. They went 50-112 and finished 10th in the NL. They were managed by Casey Stengel and Wes Westrum...
without allowing a hit. Edwards left the game in the 10th inning for a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
with the game in a scoreless tie, as the Mets went on to break up the no hitter and score a run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
to win the game in the 11th inning. A little more than two months later, on August 19, 1965, Edwards was once again the catcher as Maloney threw another 10 innings without allowing a hit. This time the Reds scored a run, securing the victory and the no hitter for Maloney.
With the arrival of Johnny Bench
Johnny Bench
Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
, the Reds traded Edwards to the St. Louis Cardinals for Pat Corrales
Pat Corrales
Patrick Corrales , is a former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played from 1964–1973, primarily for the Cincinnati Reds, but also for the Philadelphia Phillies, St...
and Jimy Williams
Jimy Williams
James Francis "Jimy" Williams is an American former manager of three Major League Baseball teams. He was born in Santa Maria, California.-Playing career:...
on February 8, 1968
1968 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 87th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 77th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 97-65 during the season, winning their second consecutive NL pennant, this time by nine games over the San Francisco Giants. They lost in 7 games to the...
. With the Cardinals, he played backup catcher to Tim McCarver
Tim McCarver
James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
, helping them win the National League pennant, however, they would subsequently lose to the Detroit Tigers
1968 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the 1968 World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 3. The 1968 baseball season, known as the "Year of the Pitcher," was the Tigers' 68th since they entered the American League in 1901, their eighth pennant, and third World Series championship...
in the 1968 World Series
1968 World Series
The 1968 World Series featured the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals against the Detroit Tigers, with the Tigers winning in seven games for their first championship since 1945, and the third in their history...
. He caught another no hitter with the Cardinals on September 18, 1968 with Ray Washburn
Ray Washburn
Ray Clark Washburn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Washburn, a right-hander, pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals from to and the Cincinnati Reds in ....
pitching. On October 11, 1968 Edwards was traded with minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
player Tommy Smith to the Houston Astros for Dave Giusti
Dave Giusti
David John Giusti, Jr., is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1962 to 1977....
and Dave Adlesh
Dave Adlesh
David George Adlesh was a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1963 to 1968. He played his entire Major League career with the Houston Colt 45's/Houston Astros. Adlesh threw and batted right-handed....
. After playing his first season for the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in 1969
1969 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. The team finished in fifth place in the newly established National League West with a record of 81-81, twelve games behind the Atlanta Braves...
, he finished 36th in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player Award.
Career statistics
In 14 seasons Edwards played in 1,470 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, producing 1,106 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 4,577 at bats for a .242 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
along with 81 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 524 runs batted in. He was voted to three National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
teams in 1963
1963 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1963 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 31st playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held in Cleveland, Ohio, at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, home of the American...
, 1964
1964 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1964 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 35th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 7, 1964 at Shea Stadium in New York City, New York, home of the New...
and 1965
1965 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1965 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 36th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 13, 1965 at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota...
. A solid defensive player, he won the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Gold Glove Award
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
for catchers in 1963
1963 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season consisted of the Cincinnati Reds finishing in fifth place in the National League with a record of 86-76, 13 games behind the NL and World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers...
and 1964
1964 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season consisted of the Reds finishing in a tie for second place in the National League with the Philadelphia Phillies. Both teams finished at 92-70, one game behind the NL and World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals...
, and led National League catchers in fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
four times in 1963, 1969, 1970
1970 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the National League West with a record of 79-83, 23 games behind the Cincinnati Reds.- Offseason :...
and 1971
1971 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. The team finished tied for fourth in the National League West with a record of 79-83, 11 games behind the San Francisco Giants.- Offseason :...
. He also led the league four times in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
and three times in putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s. In 1969, Edwards set single season records for catchers with 1135 putouts and 1221 total chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
. Richard Kendall of the Society for American Baseball Research
Society for American Baseball Research
The Society for American Baseball Research was established in Cooperstown, New York, in August 1971 by Bob Davids of Washington, D.C. The Society's mission is to foster the research and dissemination of the history and record of baseball, while generating interest in the game...
devised an unscientific study that ranked Edwards as the second most dominating fielding catcher in major league history. As of the end of the 2009 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...
season he ranked 79th on the All-Time Intentional Walks List.
During the off-season while with the Reds, Edwards worked as an engineer for General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
in research and development for nuclear fuel elements. He was inducted into the Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame in August 2008. He was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame
Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame
The Ohio State Varsity "O" Hall of Fame is the athletic hall of fame for The Ohio State University. Its purpose is to recognize individuals who have contributed to the honor and fame of the University in the field of athletics....
in September 2008.