Wallace Johnson (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wallace Johnson |
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| First baseman | |||
| Born: December 25, 1956 Gary, Indiana, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 8, 1981, for the Montreal Expos | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 3, 1990, for the Montreal Expos | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .255 | ||
| Home runs | 5 | ||
| Runs batted in | 59 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Wallace Darnell Johnson, born on December 25, 1956, is a former professional baseball player and coach from the United States. He played as a first baseman for teams like the Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants. Later, he became a coach for the Chicago White Sox. Wallace was especially good at being a pinch hitter, which means he would bat in place of another player. He could hit from both sides of the plate (a switch hitter) and threw the ball with his right hand.
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Wallace Johnson's Early Life and College Baseball
Wallace Johnson went to Indiana State University. He earned a degree in Accounting. During his time there, he was recognized for his strong leadership. He also received a special scholarship for his studies.
College Baseball Achievements
Johnson was a co-captain of Indiana State's baseball team. This team won its first Missouri Valley Conference championship. They also played in the NCAA regional postseason for the first time. Wallace was amazing at batting. He led the whole country in hitting, with a .502 batting average during the regular season. He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the MVC tournament. In 1985, Wallace Johnson was honored in the Indiana State University Hall of Fame.
Wallace Johnson's Professional Baseball Career
Wallace Johnson was chosen by the Montreal Expos in the 1979 baseball draft. He was one of the first players from Indiana to be picked. He started playing professionally in the summer of 1979.
Climbing the Ranks
By 1980, Wallace was playing in the Florida State League. He led that league in batting with a .334 average. He also stole 58 bases, showing his speed. He was named the MVP of the FSL Southern Division. He also received an award for being the Minor League Player of the Year for the FSL.
Major League Debut and Key Moments
Johnson played on championship teams in the minor leagues. These included the 1981 Denver Bears and the 1986 Indianapolis Indians. He made his first appearance in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Expos in September 1981. On October 3, he hit a special pinch-hit triple. This hit scored two runs and helped his team win their first ever NL East title.
Wallace Johnson became known as a great pinch-hitter. He holds the Expos' team record for the most pinch-hits, with 86. He also played winter baseball for the champion Leones del Escogido team.
Moving Between Teams
In 1983, Johnson played part of the season with the San Francisco Giants. He was traded to them in May. The next spring, the Giants released him. He then returned to the Expos as a free agent.
On May 2, 1988, Wallace Johnson made headlines. He broke up a perfect game attempt by Ron Robinson of the Cincinnati Reds. Johnson hit a single with two outs in the ninth inning.
Later Career and Teammates
From 1986 to 1990, Johnson led all of Major League Baseball in pinch-hits. He played his final MLB game on August 3, 1990. During his time with the Expos, he played alongside many famous players. Some of these players are now in the Hall of Fame. They include Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Tim Raines, Randy Johnson, and Larry Walker.
Coaching Career
After his playing days, Wallace Johnson became a baseball coach. He spent one season as a hitting instructor for the Gulf Coast League Expos. He then coached for three years in the Atlanta Braves minor league system.
Johnson also spent five years as the third base coach for the Chicago White Sox. He was part of the 2000 team that won the AL Central Division. This team was known for scoring many runs. During his coaching career, he helped coach two more Hall of Fame players: Frank "Big Hurt" Thomas and Vladimir Guerrero. A TV analyst named Hawk Harrelson gave him the nickname "Wavin' Wally."
