NEW YORK (AP) — Davey Johnson, an All-Star second baseman who clinched two World Series victories with the Baltimore Orioles and led the New York Mets to their 1986 championship as a manager, has passed away at 82.
Jay Horwitz, a longtime Mets PR representative, relayed that Johnson’s wife, Susan, notified him of Johnson’s passing following a lengthy illness. Johnson was in a Sarasota, Florida hospital at the time of his death on Friday, Horwitz stated.
Throughout his 13 major league seasons, Johnson played for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs from 1965-78, earning the Gold Glove award three times and being appointed an All-Star four times. As a manager, he led the Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals from 1984-2013.
Former Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo called it a tough day.
“Davey was a good man, close friend, and a mentor,” remarked Rizzo in a text message. “A Hall of Fame caliber manager with a baseball mind ahead of his time.”
Darryl Strawberry, a part of the ’86 Mets, paid tribute on social media, praising Johnson as a remarkable leader who transformed the team into winners.
“His ability to empower players to express themselves while maintaining a strong commitment to excellence was truly inspiring,” Strawberry shared on Instagram along with a photo of himself, Johnson, and Dwight “Doc” Gooden. “Davey’s legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of fans and players alike. My heartfelt condolences go out to Susan Johnson and the entire Johnson family during this difficult time. He will be missed but remembered for his incredible impact on the game and the lives he touched.”
Ryan Zimmerman, who played for Johnson with Washington from 2011-13, said Johnson was an even better human than he was a baseball man.
“He knew how to get the best out of everyone — on and off the field,” Zimmerman said in a text message. “I learned so much from him, and my career would not have been the same without my years with him. He will be deeply missed by so many people.”
Johnson was AL manager of the year in 1997 when Baltimore won the division. He was NL manager of the year in 2012 when the Nationals made the playoffs for the first time since the move from Montreal.
“Davey was a world-class manager,” owner Mark Lerner said in a statement. “I’ll always cherish the memories we made together with the Nationals, and I know his legacy will live on in the heads and minds of our fans and those across baseball.”
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AP National Writer Howard Fendrich contributed to this report.
