Davey Johnson
David Allen “Davey” Johnson was a second baseman with a prolific career on championship teams. While playing for the Baltimore Orioles (1965-1972) he won four American League pennants and two World Series championships. Through his 13-year career, he was a four-time All-Star and a three-time Gold Glover.
Davey Johnson had an interesting trip to his 42 home run season. In 1972 for the O’s, Johnson hit only .221 in 118 games and was traded to the Atlanta Braves. In his first season with the Braves, Johnson exploded for the best statistical year of his career. He tied Rogers Hornsby’s record for most home runs in a single season by a second baseman with 42. He hit .270/.370/.546 that season but the Braves were fifth in the West division with a 76-85 record.
Johnson actually hit 43 home runs that year but one did not count toward the record due to it being a pinch hit at bat. Before his 43 home runs, his second highest total was 18.
Johnson was also a part of history by being part of the first trio of teammates to ever hit 40 home runs each. The 1973 Braves had Davey Johnson hit 43, Darrell Evans hit 41, and Hank Aaron hit 40.
After his playing career, he enjoyed coaching multiple successful teams. In 1986, he led the New York Mets to a World Series title. Johnson also led the 1995 Reds, the 1996 and 1997 Orioles to their respective League Championship Series. Currently, Johnson is retired from baseball after managing the Washington Nationals from 2011 to 2013.