Johnstone earned a deserved reputation as a flake who kept his teammates entertained with his uninhibited clubhouse antics, but he was also a fine lefthanded hitter who managed to last 20 seasons in the ML despite playing over 130 games only once (1969 with the Angels). He was originally a speedy, switch-hitting centerfielder, but abandoned hitting from the right side after his rookie season. Only two years after hitting a career-high 16 HR for the White Sox in 1971, Johnstone was released outright and his career seemed doomed. He came back with the Phillies, however, and in the 1976 LCS he was phenomenal in a losing effort. He was seven-for-nine in the series, but the Reds swept the Phillies in three. Johnstone starred again in the 1981 WS for the Dodgers, belting a pinch two-run HR as Los Angeles came back from a 6-3 deficit to win Game Four 8-7. After finishing his career as a reserve outfielder and pinch hitter, Johnstone became a baseball broadcaster.
