JUDY JOHNSON
Born: December 26, 1899 in Snow Hill, Maryland
Died: June 15, 1989 in Wilmington, Delaware
Born: December 26, 1899 in Snow Hill, Maryland
High School:
Howard HS (Wilmington, Delaware )
Inducted into the Hall of Fame by Negro League
Committee as Player in 1975.
Died: June 15, 1989 in Wilmington,
Delaware (Aged 89)
JUDY JOHNSON
This article was written by Ralph Berger and is presented in part, courtesy of the Society for American Baseball Research
Quiet, mannerly, and somewhat introverted, Judy Johnson
for all his reticence was a leader. He commanded respect by his actions on and
off the field. Slight of build but with the inner constitution of a bulldog, he
went about his job efficiently and steadily. A black man who knew his choices
were limited by a society then closed to him, he was determined to use his
athletic skills to make a life for himself and his family. His strong family
ties gave him solid psychological grounding.
Baseball wasn't easy for players in the Negro Leagues. It
was hard driving day and night, dealing with rejection, mindless bigotry and the
barrier against playing in the Major leagues. Despite the travails, for many of
the players it was a time of happiness, adventure, and camaraderie. The Negro
Leagues also offered comparative wealth and some star status in contrast to the
menial jobs most of the African-American population had to endure during the
first half of the twentieth century.
Judy Johnson was of the Charlie Gehringer mold: "You just
wind him up at the start of the season and he goes out without anything to say
and does the job." Johnson grabbed anything within reach and slapped line drives
all over the field. Quiet, dependable, no gloss, just a smart third baseman, he
made difficult plays look routine.
To read this article in its entirety, please click here
Interested in Baseball? If so, we strongly recommend that you visit and join the Society for American Baseball Research
|
