Davey Johnson, Washington Nationals. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Former big league second baseman and championship skipper Davey Johnson is battling COVID.
Longtime big league manager and second baseman Davey Johnson has been hospitalized in his battle with COVID-19.
Johnson is 77-years-old and is best known for managing the 1986 New York Mets to their most recent World Series championship. He won over 1,300 games as a manager with five clubs, most recently with the 2011-13 Washington Nationals. As a player, Johnson was a four-time All-Star, primarily with the Baltimore Orioles (1965-72) and later the Atlanta Braves (1973-85).
Few former players have as far of a reach as does Davey Johnson
Johnson played for four MLB franchises from 1965 to 1978. Six years after hanging up the spikes as an infielder, Johnson became the Mets’ manager in 1984. He stayed in the Big Apple through the 1990 MLB season. He would later go on to have other managerial success with the 1993-95 Cincinnati Reds and later the 1996-97 Orioles. Simply put, he tied generations of players together.
Though he has been out of the public spotlight for the better part of a decade now, Johnson’s impact on the game has been undeniable. His 1986 Mets are one of the most celebrated World Series champions of the last 50 years. He was able to handle all the personalities and star power associated with that juggernaut team. Here is to a speedy recovery for Johnson in his time of need.
Johnson was a star on the diamond as an infielder and a legend from inside of the dugout.