Johnny Roseboro
From BR Bullpen
John Junior Roseboro
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Weight 190 lb.
- Debut June 14, 1957
- Final Game August 11, 1970
- Born May 13, 1933 in Ashland, OH USA
- Died August 16, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Johnny Roseboro was the Dodger catcher for a decade, playing in four World Series with them. Late in his career he was also the regular catcher on the division-winning 1969 Minnesota Twins.
Johnny began in the minors with Sheboygan in 1952, hitting .365. He played five years in the minors before making his major league debut in June 1957. While in the minors, Roseboro missed the 1954 season due to military service.
He came up in 1957 with the Brooklyn Dodgers when Roy Campanella was the regular catcher. Campanella had the accident that ended his career, and Roseboro became the starting catcher when the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles. He won two Gold Gloves and was named to three All-Star teams while with the Dodgers, as well as being named to the All-Star team once while with the Twins.
In his biggest year as a slugger, he hit 18 home runs for the 1961 Dodgers, tops on the team that year.
Although a catcher, he had some speed, hitting 44 triples in his career and finishing in the top ten in the league in triples a couple of seasons. Roseboro also stole 67 bases in his career.
In 1967, when the Dodgers as a team hit only .236, Roseboro's .272 average was one of the team's best.
An altercation between Roseboro and Juan Marichal was one of the most publicized events of the 1960's. Many years later the two became friends.
Roseboro's son, Jaime Roseboro, was a minor league outfielder.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 4-time All-Star (1958, 1961, 1962 & 1969)
- 2-time NL Gold Glove Winner (1961 & 1966)
- Won three World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1959, 1963 & 1965)
