Jimmy Johnson (baseball)

James Lloyd "Jimmy" Johnson (born August 28, 1947) is an American professional baseball coach, and a former infielder and manager at the minor league level. Johnson was primarily a shortstop and third baseman during his playing days. He threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet (1.83 m) tall and weighed 170 pounds (77 kg). As a player, Johnson compiled a .252 batting average in 577 minor league games.[1]

Early life

Johnson was born at Colona, Illinois. He graduated from Rincon High School in Tucson, Arizona,[2] and attended the University of New Mexico.

Career

He signed his first pro contract with the Houston Astros and spent a quarter-century in their system as an infielder (1969-76), minor league manager (1977-82; 1984-85) (including the Columbus Astros (1978-1979, 1984)[3] and Tucson Toros (1980-82, 1985))[2][4][5][6] and coordinator of instruction (1983; 1986-93).[7][8] He then joined the New York Yankees as an instructor and manager, and later worked with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies as a minor league hitting coordinator. He has also managed additional minor league teams, including the Norwich Navigators in 1995, Greensboro Bats in 1996[9] and the St. Paul Saints in 2002.[10][11][12][13] He was listed as the Colorado farm system's roving batting instructor in 2009.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Jim Johnson Minor League Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hansen, Greg (2 September 2008). Tucson baseball touched lives, made a difference, Arizona Daily Star ("Jimmy Johnson, a Rincon High School grad who managed the Toros in 1980-82 and again in 1985")(subscription required)
  3. ↑ (1 May 2001). Top of the Class, Ledger-Enquirer ("Former Columbus Astros manager Jimmy Johnson was in Columbus during the series with the Wilmington Waves. Johnson managed the Astros --- then a AA affiliate of Houston --- in 1978-79. Johnson was recognized by the RedStixx during a pre-game ceremony....")
  4. ↑ (10 December 1982). People in Sports, Eugene Register-Guard (nothing Johnson ending a three a year stint as Toros manager, 1980-82)
  5. ↑ (15 December 1985). Transactions, Reading Eagle (noting Johnson's replacement as Toro's coach due to his promotion in the Astros' organization)
  6. ↑ (20 September 1980). Tucson Trio Cited, Gadsden Times (noting naming of manager Johnson to 1980 Pacific Coast League all star team)
  7. ↑ Carroll, Frank (3 November 1989). JOHNSON: INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE A SUCCESS, Orlando Sentinel
  8. ↑ (7 November 1993). Dempsey's new NCAA position a lucrative one, Arizona Daily Star ("After 17 years together, the Houston Astros fired longtime Tucsonan Jimmy Johnson last week. Johnson was the Tucson Toros manager from 1980-81 ....")(subscription required)
  9. ↑ Atkinson, Charlie (4 September 1996). Forgettable Season Finally Ends, News & Record (Greensboro) ("Greensboro Bats manager Jimmy Johnson says he likely won't be back next season. The 48-year-old Phoenix native has made it clear he no longer relishes life in the low minor leagues.")
  10. ↑ (26 February 2002). Saints Get Their Manager: Jimmy Johnson Lends Experience To Team, St. Paul Pioneer Press
  11. ↑ (23 May 2002). SAINTS 2002, Star Tribune ("In 1993, a baseball lifer named Jimmy Johnson was in his sixth year as a minor ... He has been a minor league manager in Cocoa Beach, Fla.; Columbus, Ga...." noting new appointment as manager of the St. Paul Saints)(subscription required)
  12. ↑ (28 September 1995). Essian Will Call Shots for Gators, The Day (noting replacement of Johnson as manager of Norwich Navigators due to promotion within Yankees organization)
  13. ↑ (12 January 1995). SEAHAWKS HIRE ERICKSON, Hartford Courant ("Jimmy Johnson will be the first manager of the Norwich Navigators, the Yankees' Double A Eastern League affiliate. Johnson, 47, spent 25 years as a player ...")(subscription required)
  14. ↑ Rockies announce Minor League staff for 2009 season | ColoradoRockies.com: Official Info