BIW - Earl Johnson

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Earl Johnson

Date and Place of Birth: April 2, 1919 Redmond, Washington

Died: December 3, 1994 Seattle, Washington

Baseball Experience: Major League
Position: Pitcher
Rank: First Lieutenant
Military Unit: Company B, 120^th Infantry Regiment, 30^th Infantry Division US Army

Area Served: European Theater of Operations

Earl D “Lefty” Johnson was born in Redmond, Washington on April 2, 1919.

Johnson was an outstanding high school athlete and in July 1937, aged 18, he led the Johnson Paint Company team of Tacoma to the Washington state semi-pro championship. He was a National Baseball Congress all-America selection, and earned an athletic scholarship to St Mary’s College.

At St Mary’s, Johnson and teammate Cy Greenlaw dominated the opposition but were still overshadowed by the outstanding collegiate pitcher of the day, Emmett O'Neill. Nevertheless, Johnson had decided that baseball was going to be his profession and he decided to pass up the rest of is education in the fall of 1939. With the help of his coach Earl Sheely he attracted the interest of the Boston Red Sox and was sent to their training camp at Sarasota, Florida in the spring of 1940.

The Boston Red Sox sent him to Rocky Mount in the Piedmont League where he played under Heinie Manush. "I was supposed to go to Canton, Ohio, in a smaller league," Johnson explained. "But during spring training Heinie Manush, who was managing Rocky Mount, talked Joe Cronin into making the switch."

After winning 12 games and posting a 2.67 ERA in 19 games he was called up by the Red Sox and made his first major league appearance on July 20, 1940. He made a total of 17 appearances for Boston with a 6-2 won-loss record.

Suffering from arm trouble, Johnson again made 17 appearances for Boston in 1941 with an ERA of 4.52. In January 1942, he entered military service and sent a telegram to Red Sox general manager, Eddie Collins at Fenway Park, which read: “Inducted into Army today. Best Regards.”

Johnson served with the 120^th Infantry Regiment of the 30^th Infantry Division, US Army. The 30^th Infantry Division arrived in England in February 1944 and trained in preparation for D-Day. The division landed at Omaha Beach, Normandy on June 11, 1944 and spearheaded the St Lo break-through.

On September 30, 1944, Johnson, a rifle platoon sergeant earned his first combat honor – a bronze star. His citation read: “During heavy concentration of hostile fire, a friendly truck was struck by an enemy shell and had to be abandoned. The fact that the vehicle contained vital radio equipment made it imperative that it be recovered before falling into enemy hands. Sergeant Earl Johnson and several others members of his unit were assigned to this hazardous mission. They courageously braved a severe hostile fire and were completely successful in dragging the vehicle over an area in plain view of the enemy.”

In addition to the Bronze Star, Johnson also received a battlefield commission promoting him to second lieutenant.

Months later, Johnson was awarded a Silver Star for bravery during the Battle of the Bulge, and further promotion to first lieutenant.

In 1945, Red Sox general manager Eddie Collins received a letter from Johnson dated February 10. "I have been in combat for six months," Johnson wrote. "It sure has been a long road. It really has been tough. It seems like I have been fighting for years. I sure will be glad when it is over."

In October 1945, Johnson returned to the United States. He immediately returned to his home in Seattle to spend his furlough, and had the opportunity to work out briefly with the Seattle PCL team. Johnson then went to Camp Jackson, South Carolina to await his discharge which came in December.

Reminiscing about his Army life, Johnson told of the time he and his platoon were trying to knock out some German tanks. Earl threw a couple of hand grenades and missed. A member of his platoon - a kid who had never thrown a baseball in his life - threw two grenades and scored two direct hits. "If only I had that kid's control," he concluded, "what a pitcher I would be."

Johnson returned to the Red Sox in 1946 and hurled three hitless innings against the Cardinals late in spring training. "After four years in the Army, in which I didn't throw a ball," he declared, "I have just begun to feel at home on the mound." Johnson pitched in 29 games for the Red Sox in 1946, mainly as a reliever. He had a 5-4 won-loss record and a 3.71 ERA. He had his best major league season in 1947, appearing in 45 games, with a career-high 12 wins and a career-best 2.97 ERA.

Johnson remained with the Red Sox until he was released following the 1950 season. He signed with the Tigers but only made six brief appearances before being released in June.

Johnson remained in baseball as a scout for the Red Sox. In all, he was associated with the team for 44 years. He passed away on December 3, 1994 in Seattle, Washington, aged 75.

Created March 27, 2007. Updated August 21, 2007.