TTM Stats
- Sent: 3/15/2022 | Received: 3/25/2022 | 10 Days
- ’86 Topps, ’87 Topps, ’89 Topps (returned one card unsigned)
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Davey Johnson is a former player and manager in the major leagues. He played from 1965 to 1978 with the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs. He later managed with the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals between 1984 and 2013.
Johnson was born on January 30, 1943, in Orlando, Florida. Growing up in a sports-loving family, Johnson was drawn to baseball from an early age. He attended Texas A&M University and later transferred to Johns Hopkins University, where his talent on the diamond quickly made him a standout. In 1962, Johnson signed with the Baltimore Orioles as an amateur free agent, beginning his professional baseball journey. His early years in the minors were marked by steady development, and by 1965, he made his MLB debut with the Orioles.
His playing career spanned 13 seasons, during which he established himself as one of the most reliable second basemen in the game. He was known for his solid defense, intelligent play, and surprising power for his position. His breakout season came in 1966 when he became the Orioles’ regular second baseman, helping lead the team to a World Series championship.
Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, Johnson was a key figure in the Orioles’ dynasty, winning four American League pennants and two World Series titles. His steady glove and timely hitting made him a fan favorite in Baltimore. In 1973, Johnson was traded to the Atlanta Braves, where he had one of the most unexpected power surges in baseball history. That year, Johnson hit 43 home runs, setting a then-record for most home runs by a second baseman in a single season. His power surge was part of a historic Braves infield that also featured Hank Aaron and Darrell Evans. After stints with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs, Johnson’s playing career came to an end in 1978. He finished with a .261 career batting average, 136 home runs, and 609 RBIs.
Johnson’s second act in baseball was even more impactful than his playing days. After retiring as a player, he transitioned into coaching and managing, where his deep understanding of the game and ability to lead became evident. Johnson’s managerial career began in the minors, but by 1984, he was hired as the manager of the New York Mets.
Under his leadership, the Mets became one of the dominant teams of the 1980s. His greatest triumph came in 1986 when he led the Mets to a World Series championship, defeating the Boston Red Sox in a thrilling seven-game series. That Mets team is still remembered as one of the most talented and colorful in baseball history. Johnson continued to have success as a manager after leaving the Mets in 1990. He managed the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals, consistently leading his teams to winning records and playoff appearances. His managerial style was characterized by a deep trust in his players, a willingness to embrace new ideas, and an unrelenting focus on winning.
Davey Johnson’s impact on baseball goes beyond the numbers. He finished his managerial career with over 1,300 wins and a .562 winning percentage, one of the highest in history. He was twice named Manager of the Year, in 1997 with the Orioles and in 2012 with the Nationals, a testament to his ability to adapt and succeed over multiple decades and with different teams.
This is my third successful return from him. Check out my other returns in these posts:
The Score on Davey Johnson – 7.0
I love how Davey fills out your card. There is just so much ink on these things and I love it. I also love that there’s an inscription on these. As a Mets fan, it’s probably the best inscription I could hope for. I think Davey skipped one of my cards, one of his as a player. I don’t know if that’s because of the amount of money I sent or if he focused on that I was a Mets fan.
Thanks Mr. Johnson! I’m giving this return a 7 overall.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.