Davey Johnson, Ex-Champion Manager with the Mets, Passes Away
Davey Johnson, an emblematic figure in baseball and manager of the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets team, has passed away at the age of 82. The news was communicated by Jay Horwitz, the Mets’ public relations representative, who received the information from Susan, Johnson’s wife, after a long illness. Johnson, a prominent second baseman for 13 seasons in the Major Leagues, left an indelible mark on the sport. He was part of the championship teams of the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 and 1970, and demonstrated his offensive prowess with the Atlanta Braves in 1973.But his most significant legacy lies in his role as a manager. For 17 seasons, he managed five different teams, leaving a positive mark on each of them: the Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals. His record as a manager was 1,372 wins and 1,071 losses, with a winning percentage of .562, ranking among the best in history.I lost a friend, teammate, and confidant.
Jim Palmer, former teammate and Hall of Famer
Mike Rizzo, former Washington general manager, described him as “one of the great baseball minds of all time.” Johnson was known for his bold and irreverent style. His ability to promote young players and his understanding of statistics distinguished him. In his first season with the Mets, he pushed for the arrival of the young pitcher Dwight Gooden, who led the majors in strikeouts and won the Rookie of the Year award. In 1986, Johnson led the Mets to victory in the World Series, solidifying his reputation. Strawberry, who also played with the New York Yankees from 1998, went on to claim that the 1986 Mets team was superior.He believed in us. He was one of us. He would never let you down… We all loved him. He was the best manager I ever played for.
Darryl Strawberry
