Byron Johnson (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Byron Johnson |
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| Born: September 16, 1911 Little Rock, Arkansas |
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| Died: September 24, 2005 (aged 94) Colorado |
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Byron Emmerson Johnson (born September 16, 1911, died September 24, 2005) was a talented baseball player. People often called him Mex Johnson. He got this nickname because he wore a hat that looked like a sombrero when he was a kid. He played in the Negro leagues, which were important baseball leagues for African American players.
A Baseball Star
Byron Johnson was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He started his professional baseball career in 1937. He played as a shortstop for the famous Kansas City Monarchs team. He stayed with the Monarchs until he retired from baseball in 1940.
Playing for the Monarchs
The Kansas City Monarchs were one of the best teams in the Negro leagues. Byron Johnson was a key player for them. From 1939 to 1940, he also played for a special team. This team was called the Satchel Paige All Stars. They were a road team made up of Monarchs players.
A Special Honor
Byron Johnson was a very good player. In 1938, he was chosen for a special team. This team was the Negro leagues East-West All-Star team. Being picked for this team was a big honor. It showed he was one of the best players in the league.
The Negro League Baseball Museum is in Kansas City, Missouri. It once had a sculpture of his hands holding a bat. Many people thought these hands belonged to another famous player, Buck O’Neil. But they were actually Byron Johnson's hands. This shows how important he was to baseball history.
Serving His Country
In 1941, Byron Johnson joined the United States Army. He served during World War II. He fought in Europe to help his country. He served in the Army until 1945. After the war, he returned home.
