Johnson spent six seasons in the major leagues as a reserve catcher with seven different teams, developing the patience and perspective needed to manage. After success in the Red Sox farm system, he was named Boston manager in 1974. The following season the Sox won the pennant and took the WS to seven games before losing. Fired in July 1976, Johnson became manager of the expansion Mariners in 1977 and piloted them through their first three and a half seasons.
