Career
Kansas City Monarchs
Johnson played in his first game for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues at the age of only 17. In 1943, he took a break from baseball to fight for the United States in World World War World War II In 1946, he returned to the Monarchs and played for them until 1950. 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 Sox at the end of 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 pitched in 14 games, starting ten of them, going 4–4 with a 3.56 European Research Area 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 European Research Area and 72 strikeouts.
In 1956, he pitched in 5 games for the White Sox going 0–1 with 6 strikeouts and a 3.65 European Research Area. Overall with the White Sox he appeared in 36 games, starting 28 of them, and going 11–9 with 122 strikeouts.
Baltimore Orioles
On May 21, 1956, the White Sox traded Johnson along with Mike Fornieles, 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 European Research Area. He had his best major league season in 1957, going 14–11 for a losing team with 177 strikeouts and a 3.20 European Research Area. In his final major league season in 1958, he went 6–9 with 68 strikeouts and a 3.88 European Research Area. He finished his five-year major league career going 40–39 with 497 strikeouts and a 3.44 European Research Area. Final years
In 1959, Johnson played for the Vancouver Mounties of the Pacific Coast League going 8–4. After playing for a team in Puebla, Mexico in 1960, he retired.