When he retired, Bob Johnson ranked eighth all-time in home runs. Yet, he's hardly remembered today. The hard-hitting left fielder was an All-Star in eight of his 13 seasons, and received MVP votes in six seasons, including his rookie year and the final year of his career. Denied a spot in the majors until he was 27 years old, the Oklahoma-native stepped right in to Al Simmons vacated left field spot with the A's and had an outstanding rookie campaign in 1933, batting .290 with 44 doubles, 21 homers, 93 RBI, and 103 runs scored. That was just a warm-up for what was to come from Johnson. From 1935-1941, he drove in 100 runs and topped 20 homers every season. He was often the only offensive threat in the weak Philadelphia lineup. He led the team in RBI for even consecutive seasons. A tremendous athlete, Johnson filled in a second base at various times and proved more than capable.
Teams Bob Johnson Played For
Philadelphia Athletics (1933-1942) Washington Senators (1943) Boston Red Sox (1944-1945)
Where does Bob Johnson rank among baseball greats?
Bob Johnson ranks #22 among the Top 50 all-time at LF. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1939 This wasn't his best power season, but he posted a .440 OBP and a .553 SLG. He finished third in batting, at .338, with 15 steals and 99 walks.
Where He Played Left field, except for one season (1938), when he played center field.
Born Robert Lee Johnson was born on November 26, 1905, in Pryor, OK.
Family Tree His older brother, Roy Johnson had one of the best rookie seasons in history. In 1929 with Detroit, Roy, who unlike his brother was a left-handed batter, hit .314 with 128 runs scored, 201 hits, 45 doubles, 14 triples, 10 homers, 20 stolen bases, and more walks than K's. He was 26 years old, and was obviously more than ready for the big leagues. But though he hit .300 a few more times, and fashioned a fine .296 career mark, Roy bounced around the American League as a fill-in outfielder.
Feats On August 29, 1937, Johnson set an American League record by driving in six runs in the first inning. He hit a grand slam and a double off White Sox pitcher Monty Stratton in that game.
Batting Feats
June 16, 1934: 6 Hits...
July 6, 1944: Cycle...
Hitting Streaks
26 games (1938)
Transactions March 21, 1943: Traded by the Philadelphia Athletics to the Washington Senators for Bobby Estalella and cash.
Reportedly, after a disagreement with Connie Mack over his contract, Johnson was dealt to the Senators.
December 4, 1943: Purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the Washington Senators.
December 27, 1945: Released by the Boston Red Sox.
All-Star Selections
1935 AL
1938 AL
1939 AL
1940 AL
1942 AL
1943 AL
1944 AL
1945 AL
Replaced Hall of Famer Al Simmons, who was sold to the White Sox.
Replaced By Hall of Famer Ted Williams, who returned from World War II.
Best Strength as a Player He was a great pull-hitter.
Largest Weakness as a Player Johnson could hit for power and drive in runs. He hit for average (finished third in AL batting race twice), and ran the bases very, very well. He was an excellent outfielder, and had there been Gold Gloves in his day, he could have won it every year. His arm was one of the best in the league. He walked more than he struck out in his career, and led the AL in on-base percentage once. He was, by all accounts, an excellent teammate. He really didn't have a weakness. He should probably be in the Hall of Fame. He's at least as good, and in some cases much better, than several outfielders he played against who are in the Hall of Fame, like Earl Averill and Earle Combs.
