Don Johnson (baseball pitcher)

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Donald Roy Johnson (born November 12, 1926 in Portland, Oregon) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. The 6'3", 200 lb. right-hander was signed by the New York Yankees before the 1944 season, and he played for the Yankees (1947, 1950), St. Louis Browns (1950-1951), Washington Senators (1951-1952), Chicago White Sox (1954), Baltimore Orioles (1955), and San Francisco Giants (1958).

Johnson made his major league debut on April 20, 1947, starting game 2 of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics at Shibe Park. He was the winning pitcher in the 10-inning, 3-2 Yankee victory, and went on to have a 4-3 record for the 1947 World Series Champions.

Johnson pitched both as a starter and in relief during his long, well-traveled career. His best season was in 1954 with the White Sox. He won 8, lost 7, had a 3.12 earned run average, and finished in the American League TOP TEN in games pitched, saves, and shutouts.

Career totals include a record of 27-38 in 198 games, 70 games started, 17 complete games, 5 shutouts, 62 games finished, 12 saves, and an ERA of 4.78. He had a rather high WHIP of 1.580 in 631 innings pitched.

Johnson led the International League with 156 strikeouts and a 2.67 ERA while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1953. He was voted the IL's most valuable pitcher in 1957.