Former New York Mets manager Davey Johnson, who guided the franchise to its second World Series championship in 1986, died Friday. Johnson passed at a hospital in Sarasota, Florida, after a long illness, according to ESPN. He was 82.
Johnson was a four-time All-Star and won two championships and three gold gloves in a 13-year career before embarking on a decorated managerial career. In 1973 with the Atlanta Braves, he hit 43 homers, which stood as a primary-second baseman record until Marcus Semien‘s 45 in 2021.
Major League history includes some interesting facts about Johnson. He was the last-ever player to homer off of Sandy Koufax, a feat Johnson accomplished in the 1966 World Series. Johnson was involved in both Mets championships. Not only did he manage the World Series champion 1986 Mets, but as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, Johnson made the final out of the 1969 World Series, a fly ball to Cleon Jones in left, which the Miracle Mets won to secure the team’s first championship.
After retiring, he became a manager in the Mets’ minor league system. He was named the Mets manager in 1984. New York won a franchise record 108 games and the World Series in 1986. Johnson was the Mets manager until early in the 1990 season. He remains the franchise’s all-time leader in wins with 595.
After leaving the Mets, he managed the Cincinnati Reds (1993-95), reaching the 1995 NLCS; Orioles (1996-97), reaching the 1997 ALCS; Los Angeles Dodgers (1999-2000); and Washington Nationals (2011-13). He won Manager of the Year in 1997 and 2012. He also managed the U.S. national team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Davey Johnson Helps Lay Foundation for Sabermetrics
Davey Johnson was regarded as an intelligent tactician and an early advocate for analytics. He earned a math degree from Trinity University in 1964. Johnson notably taught himself computer programming and used computer-based simulations to analyze performances and lineups for the Orioles during his tenure as a player, though Orioles manager Earl Weaver chose not to use them.
“I learned more about the inner workings of baseball from Davey Johnson than from anyone else during my career,” Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose said on Twitter/X.
Johnson’s career winning percentage of .562 ranks 10th all-time among managers with at least 1,000 wins.
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