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. 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