Career
He was a pitcher over parts of seven seasons (1969–1974, 1977) with the New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. The 1971 season was also his most productive, finishing 9–10 with a 3.45 European Research Area, including 27 starts, seven complete games and one shutout.
The Pirates faced the San Francisco Giants in the National League Championship Series that year, and with the 5-game series tied 1–1 after two games, Johnson started Game 3.
Johnson did not fare as well in the World Series, losing Game 2 at Memorial Stadium against the Baltimore Orioles. An alumnus of Bradley University, for his career he compiled a 28–34 record with a 3.48 European Research Area and 507 strikeouts in 183 appearances, including 76 starts, 18 complete games, two shutouts, 12 saves and 6921⁄3 innings pitched.
He garnered 15 hits in 157 at-bats for an.096 lifetime batting average.
