Joe Johnson’s baseball career started in Plainville’s Little League, flourished at King Philip Regional and the University of Maine, and culminated at the Major League level with the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays.
Besides stops in the minor leagues before arriving in Atlanta, Johnson also hurled for the Foxboro Legion, Yarmouth-Dennis of the Cape Cod League, and the Connolly Club in Boston’s Park League. While at Maine, he pitched for the Black Bears in the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
Now 55, the Attleboro resident is all smiles when he reflects on a Major League journey that lasted eight years and spanned a plethora of cities in the United States and Canada. The rugged right-hander, who compiled a 22-6 overall record at KP, ended his Major League career with a 20-18 mark and an earned-run average of 4.10.
“I’m pleased the way it all turned out,’’ Johnson said. “I had some opportunities and I took advantage of them. The only regret I have is that I wish I could have played longer. I eventually developed elbow soreness, tried to pitch through it, but never fully recovered.’’
Pitching in both the American and National Leagues, Johnson faced the likes of Jose Canseco, Mark Maguire and Mike Schmidt. His catchers in Atlanta were Ted Simmons and Ozzie Virgil, and Buck Martinez and Ernie Whitt in Toronto. His manager in Atlanta was Chuck Tanner and in Toronto it was former Red Sox skipper Jimy Williams.
After three years in the minors, at Savannah, Ga., Richmond, Va., and Greenville, S.C., Johnson was summoned to pitch for the Braves in 1985. He went 10-11 with the Braves and he finished with a 10-7 record with the Jays.
“My top thrill as a Major Leaguer was starting the 1986 season at 3-0, beating the Astros twice and the Dodgers,’’ Johnson recalled. “During that stretch, I was named Pitcher of the Week. My best games were a complete-game, four-hit win over the Dodgers in Dodger Stadium and a victory over the Red Sox when I was with Toronto. I went seven innings, gave up two runs and beat Al Nipper. In that game, I faced Jim Rice, Wade Boggs, Don Baylor and Rich Gedman.’’
Long before getting drafted on the second round by the Braves in 1982, Johnson’s dream of playing pro ball gained some steam in high school as a 6-1, 160-pounder. Playing for the late Gary Lombard, who was an intense proponent of preparation and attention to detail, Johnson became a star in the Hockomock League, as a pitcher and hitter. His senior year at KP (1979) was one for the record books — a 10-1 record and an E.R.A. of 0.89.
“I threw a fastball, curve and a change-up,’’ Johnson noted. “My curve moved laterally but dropped sharply. My best games were wins over Sharon and Foxboro. I struck out 18 against Sharon, and against Foxboro I hit a grand slam and also tripled for seven RBIs. I was a league all-star and a Boston Globe all-scholastic, and I was chosen to pitch in the Mass. State All-Star Game. I faced six batters, struck out all six and was named the game’s MVP.’’
Relying on speed and pin-point control, Johnson, who also played basketball at KP, could have signed a pro contract after high school as a free agent with the Phillies. But, with the help of his later father (Richard), he chose to enroll at Maine on a full baseball scholarship.
Playing for coach John Winkin, considered one of the most astute baseball minds in college, Johnson again excelled. His three-year record was 18-10, but as a sophomore, he went 9-2 and had a 3.40 E.R.A.
“My best game was in the College World Series,’’ Johnson recalled. “It was a day before the draft and I shut out Cal-State Fullerton, 6-0, and struck out eight. We finished third that year (1982).’’
His effort in the World Series as a junior no doubt helped his draft status. “I had heard that the Braves were considering me in the third round but they decided to draft me in the second round,’’ Johnson noted. “I signed a month later (July 25) and got a decent bonus.’’
Johnson’s transition from high school to college ball, then from Maine to the majors, was smooth. He paid his dues in the minors, got to Atlanta then was traded to Toronto. “My dad always stressed the importance of meeting challenges,’’ Johnson emphasized. “I was able to adjust, observe other pitchers and listen to advice from coaches.’’
When his elbow problems surfaced, the Jays demoted Johnson to Syracuse before the California Angels bought his contract. He pitched for Triple-A Edmonton for a year before tearing an Achilles tendon in 1989, sidelining him for the season. In 1990, the Red Sox signed Johnson and sent him to Pawtucket where he posted a 6-7 record. He was released at the end of the 1990 season.
“I took some time off but eventually worked for the Wrentham Recreation Department running a variety of sports programs,’’ Johnson said. “Then, I did some small construction work but for the last 20 years I’ve worked for a medical supply company out of Rhode Island.’’
Johnson lists two names when asked about his toughest hitter and his favorite coach. “The Brewers’ Robin Yount was the best hitter I faced,’’ he said. “Yount had strong wrists and a quick swing. Neil Mazzone was my pitching coach with the Braves. He changed my arm angle and that enabled my fastball to have more movement.’’
Calling his father and mother (Pat) role models for their support and encouragement, Johnson’s philosophy of competing focused on a desire to win and a drive to reach his potential. Those attributes no doubt played a key role in the success he enjoyed in his first Major League start (1985, Braves against the Phillies).
“I went seven innings and left with a 2-1 lead,’’ Johnson recalled. “We won but I didn’t get the decision. My very first inning included yielding a single, forcing a double play, then getting Mike Schmidt to tap a grounder back to me for the third out.’’
The memories of Major League baseball remain vivid for Joe Johnson. A career that started in Plainville’s Little League, then took off at KP and Maine before professional stops in Atlanta and Toronto, was an odyssey he embraced and still cherishes.
Issue Date:
July, 2017
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