Chet Johnson
From BR Bullpen
Chester Lillis Johnson (Chesty Chet)
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
- School University of Washington
- Debut September 12, 1946
- Final Game September 29, 1946
- Born August 1, 1917 in Redmond, WA USA
- Died April 10, 1983 in Seattle, WA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
"Johnson may have well been the funniest baseball player ever. Says who? Groucho Marx, for starters. During his career in the PCL, whenever Johnson pitched a game at Gilmore Field in Hollywood, Groucho always made a point of being there, and bringing along friends." - from the official PCL website
Brother of Earl Johnson, Chet Johnson pitched one year in the majors, but was much better known for his minor league career.
He had star power:
If he pitched, and we had a couple days to promote it, it was good for at least 2,000 extra fans in the stands." - Irv Kaze, publicity man in the 1950's for the Hollywood Stars
The PCL website has a lengthy biography about "Chesty Chet" Johnson. Chesty Chet He pitched 18 years in the minors and could have pitched longer but didn't accept a contract for a 19th year that would not have allowed him to clown around.
