Tom Johnson (Negro Leagues)
From BR Bullpen
Thomas Johnson (Schoolboy)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- School Morris Brown College
Tom Johnson pitched and umpired in the Negro Leagues.
Johnson was 0-2 for the Mohawk Giants and 3-0 for the Chicago American Giants in 1914; he may have taken another loss for the Mohawk club as the team had at least three Johnsons and one decision is attributed only to "Johnson".
In 1915, Tom was 2-1 for the Indianapolis ABCs and 3-5 for Chicago. He spent most of his remaining career with the American Giants. He went 4-0 in 1916 and 5-0 in 1917. On September 2, 1916, he pitched 5 innings of no-hit ball against the Cuban Stars; Dick Whitworth added 2 more no-hit innings before darkness ended the game. Johnson missed 1918 and part of 1919 while serving in the US Army. With the 365th Infantry, he was sent to France and reached the rank of Lieutenant.
When the War ended, Johnson came back to Chicago, going 2-3 in 1919, 7-0 in 1920 and 7-7 in 1921. Johnson moved to the Pittsburgh Keystones the next year but spent much of the season in the hospital. He pitched for the semi-pro Chicago Giants in 1923. After his pitching career ended, Johnson was a Negro National League umpire.
[edit] Sources
- The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
- The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues by John Holway
