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Let’s Remember Negro League Hall-of-Famer Judy Johnson
“Judy Johnson was the smartest third baseman I ever saw. He did everything with grace and poise. His breathtaking plays on bunts and hard smashes are treasured memories for many fans.” -Teammate Ted Paige
“Judy” Johnson was a slick-fielding, clutch performer who played 16 seasons in the Negro Leagues and later became a manager, scout and coach. An outstanding evaluator of talent, he’s credited with discovering and mentoring a young Josh Gibson. Along with Ray Dandridge and Jud Wilson, the three are generally considered the best third basemen in Negro League history. He was nicknamed “Judy” because of his resemblance to Judy Gans, a player for the Chicago American Giants.
Johnson played for the Hilldale Daisies from 1921 to 1929, where he came under the wing of Hall-of-Fmaer John Henry Lloyd who taught him the subtilities of playing third base. He led Hillldale to three pennants (1923-25). In 1924 he hit .327, as Hilldale lost to the Kansas City Monarchs in the first Negro World Series. Johnson led all batters in the series with a .364 average. The following year Johnson batted .392 as Hilldale made a second appearance in the series, this time defeating the Monarchs. Another outstanding year followed in 1929, as he batted .416 and was named by the Chicago Defender and the Pittsburgh Courier the Negro Leagues’ Most Valuable Player.
The Hilldale club folded after the 1929 season, and Johnson was subsequentially named as the player-manager of the Homestead Grays. In 1932, he and most of the club jumped to the Pittsburgh Crawfords where he spent his last playing years (1932-36). He was captain of the 1935 club that featured five future Hall-of-Famers: In addition to himself, “Cool Papa” Bell, Oscar Charleston, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige. He played a significant role in the team’s 1935 pennant and only undisputed Negro League World Series championship. He finished his career with a .298 batting average.
After his playing days ended, Johnson was a coach and scout for the Braves, Phillies, and Dodgers. His more notable signings included Dick Allen and Bill Bruton. He was also reputed to have recommended Hank Aaron to the Philadelphia A’s, but they balked at the price and failed to sign him.
In 1954, Johnson became the first black coach in the majors, coaching for the Phillies. From 1971-’74, Johnson served on the Hall of Fame Negro Leagues committee, and was himself elected to the Hall in 1975. He was also inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. A statue of Johnson stands outside Frawley Stadium in Delaware. Johnson died on June 15, 1989, in Wilmington, Delaware.
-Gary Livacari
Photo Credit: Public domain
Background Information: Excerpts edited and compiled from The Judy Johnson Hall of Fame page; and the Judy Johnson Wikipedia page.
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