Fred Johnson (johnsfr01)

Frederick Edward Johnson
(Deacon or Cactus)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.

• Debut September 27, 1922
• Final Game May 10, 1939
• Born March 10, 1894 in Tolar, TX USA
• Died June 14, 1973 in Kerrville, TX USA

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Biographical Information

Fred Johnson was a World War I veteran. He had four seasons with the New York Giants and the St. Louis Browns, three of which were mere cups of coffee, and pitched 22 seasons in the minor leagues. He experienced a 14-year hiatus from the Major Leagues (1924-1937).

1938 - when he was already 44 years old - was his busiest season in the majors. Johnson appeared in 17 games and made six starts that year, for a total of 69 innings. His major league career ended the following season, in 1939, when his two starts for the Browns made him the oldest starting pitcher in franchise history - including the modern-day Baltimore Orioles - after Satchel Paige (who was probably 46 in his final season with the Browns in 1953).

He continued to pitch at the minor league level, however, and closed his career in 1941, when he pitched one game for the Little Rock Travelers of the Southern Association and another 9 with three teams in the Class A Cotton States League. He appeared in 57 games for the Toledo Mud Hens in 1925. He died at age 79 in the VA Hospital in Kerrville, Texas in 1973, and is buried at Sunset Memorial Park in San Antonio, Texas.

Related Sites

• Find-A-Grave Memorial for Fred Johnson