Brian Johnson (catcher)

Brian David Johnson (born January 8, 1968) is a retired Major League Baseball catcher and former quarterback for Stanford University.

Brian Johnson
Johnson with the San Francisco Giants
Catcher
Born: (1968-01-08) January 8, 1968
Oakland, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 5, 1994, for the San Diego Padres
Last MLB appearance
September 21, 2001, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
Batting average.248
Home runs49
Runs batted in196
Teams

Early life

Johnson attended Skyline High School (Oakland, California) from 1983 to 1986, where he was a three-sport varsity letterman. As a catcher and pitcher for the Titans, Johnson tied one national record and broke six state records while being selected as an All-American. Johnson was the starting quarterback during all three of his years at Skyline. In addition, he was the backup to Gary Payton on Skyline's varsity basketball team. Johnson was named the California Athlete of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports three times. Brian was also the bat boy and later played for the Oakland Horsehide softball club during the 1980s. Brian projected to be a first-round draft pick after his senior year (1986). A week prior to the draft, Brian notified each team that he would not sign if drafted as he wanted to pursue his dream of playing two-Division 1 sports - while earning his degree on-time in 4 years. The Montreal Expos and legendary MLB scout, Gary Hughes, drafted him anyway in the 30th Round.

Career at Stanford University

Johnson earned a full scholarship to play quarterback for Stanford University. He was the starting quarterback during parts of his first 3 seasons. Johnson also played for the Cardinal's baseball team where he played seven different positions (all but catcher and second base) helping the team win two College World Series championships.

Major League Baseball career

After his junior year at Stanford, Johnson was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 16th round (413th overall) of the 1989 [[Major League Baseball Draft|MLB Draft]} to play third base. Although Johnson hadn't played catcher since high school, that was the position he was destined for during his professional baseball career. Johnson played for six different ballclubs during his career: the San Diego Padres (1994-1996), Detroit Tigers (1997), San Francisco Giants (1997-1998), Cincinnati Reds (1999), Kansas City Royals (2000) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2001). He made his Major League Baseball debut on April 4, 1994, and played his final game on September 21, 2001.

The "Brian Johnson game"

A notable moment in Johnson's professional baseball career came on September 18, 1997, when he hit a home run in the bottom of the 12th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers to move the San Francisco Giants into a tie with the Dodgers for first place.[1] The Giants went on to win the National League West, and from then on, the game would be remembered among Giants and Dodgers fans as the "Brian Johnson game".[2]

References
  1. Johnson on his dramatic homer
  2. Ann Killion (October 21, 2010). "The Giants & my Dad". Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
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