Earl Johnson

Earl Douglas Johnson (April 2, 1919 – December 3, 1994) was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who appeared across eight seasons between 1940 and 1951. Born in Redmond, Washington, he batted and threw left-handed. Johnson pitched for the Boston Red Sox (1940–1941, 1946–1950) and the Detroit Tigers (1951), debuting on July 20, 1940. Over his career he compiled a 40–32 record with a 4.30 ERA and 250 strikeouts, often working out of the bullpen. His strongest season came in 1947, when he won 12 games with a 2.97 ERA in 45 appearances for the Red Sox. His career was interrupted by World War II service with the Army's 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division; he enlisted in December 1941, was commissioned a lieutenant, and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star. He had a brother, Chet Johnson, who also pitched in the majors. After his playing days he worked as a West Coast scout for the Red Sox from 1953 to 1985. His career fell within baseball's pre-integration and World War II eras.