Lance Johnson
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Lance Johnson is a retired Major League Baseball
player. At the age of 24, Johnson broke into the big leagues on July 10, 1987, with the St. Louis Cardinals
after being drafted by them in the 6th round of the 1984 amateur draft. In 1987 Johnson, playing for the Louisville Redbirds, was the American Association
Most Valuable Player. From 1988-95 Johnson played for the Chicago White Sox
.
From 1991 through 1994, Johnson led the American League
in triples, becoming the first player in Major League history to lead his league in triples for four consecutive years. In 1996, he led the National League
in triples, becoming the third player in history to lead both Major Leagues in triples (Sam Crawford
and Brett Butler being the first two).
As of 2009, he is one of only four players (Crawford, Stan Musial
, and Willie Wilson) to lead a Major League in triples as many as five times.
His finest season came in 1996 with the New York Mets. That year, he accumulated 227 hits, 21 triples (the highest single season total in that category since 1951), 50 steals, 31 doubles (the only season in which he accumulated at least 20), 69 Runs Batted In, 117 runs scored, and a .333 batting average, all career highs. This was Johnson's only season in which he was selected for the All Star team.
After the Mets, he played with the Chicago Cubs
from 1997-1999. He was slowed down by injuries during his years with the Cubs and in 2000, he finally ended his career after the New York Yankees
sent him to the minor leagues in mid-season. The Yankees won the World Series that year and Johnson was given a World Series ring for his service to the team.
His speed on the base paths, and his uniform number "1", earned him the endearing nickname "One Dog". "One Dog" is also the name of the record company he had during his MLB career.
After graduating from Princeton High School, Johnson completed his education at the University of South Alabama
. He now resides in Alabama with his wife.
Johnson is the only MLB player to lead the league in hits in both the American League (Chicago White Sox, 1995) and the National League (New York Mets, 1996).
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...
player. At the age of 24, Johnson broke into the big leagues on July 10, 1987, with the 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...
after being drafted by them in the 6th round of the 1984 amateur draft. In 1987 Johnson, playing for the Louisville Redbirds, was the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
Most Valuable Player. From 1988-95 Johnson played for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago 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...
.
From 1991 through 1994, Johnson led the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in triples, becoming the first player in Major League history to lead his league in triples for four consecutive years. In 1996, he led 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...
in triples, becoming the third player in history to lead both Major Leagues in triples (Sam Crawford
Sam Crawford
Samuel Earl Crawford , nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957....
and Brett Butler being the first two).
As of 2009, he is one of only four players (Crawford, Stan Musial
Stan Musial
Stanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
, and Willie Wilson) to lead a Major League in triples as many as five times.
His finest season came in 1996 with the New York Mets. That year, he accumulated 227 hits, 21 triples (the highest single season total in that category since 1951), 50 steals, 31 doubles (the only season in which he accumulated at least 20), 69 Runs Batted In, 117 runs scored, and a .333 batting average, all career highs. This was Johnson's only season in which he was selected for the All Star team.
After the Mets, he played with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
from 1997-1999. He was slowed down by injuries during his years with the Cubs and in 2000, he finally ended his career after the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
sent him to the minor leagues in mid-season. The Yankees won the World Series that year and Johnson was given a World Series ring for his service to the team.
His speed on the base paths, and his uniform number "1", earned him the endearing nickname "One Dog". "One Dog" is also the name of the record company he had during his MLB career.
After graduating from Princeton High School, Johnson completed his education at the University of South Alabama
University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama is a public, doctoral-level university in Mobile, Alabama, USA. It was created by the Alabama Legislature in 1963, and replaced existing extension programs operated in Mobile by the University of Alabama. No other areas of the state were willing to support such a...
. He now resides in Alabama with his wife.
Johnson is the only MLB player to lead the league in hits in both the American League (Chicago White Sox, 1995) and the National League (New York Mets, 1996).
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions
- List of Major League Baseball players with 100 triples
- List of Major League Baseball triples records