1978 Topps Baseball #79 - Darrell Johnson

• All they could come up with when talking about Darrell Johnson's career highlights was a tie for a league lead in a fielding category in the minors? Ouch.
• After his playing career Johnson became a coach and a minor league manager. He coached under Dick Williams in Boston in 1968 and 1969 and when Williams was fired Johnson elected to remain with the organization as a scout and a minor league manager.
• Johnson was a success as a manager of Boston's AAA Pawtucket club and was promoted to manage the Red Sox after the 1973 season. Darrell was a successful manager with the Red Sox and came very close to a World Championship in the classic 1975 World Series.  But the team wasn't playing up to its capabilities in 1976 and Darrell was replaced by Don Zimmer in July.
• The expansion Seattle Mariners hired Johnson to be their first manager in 1977. Darrell managed the Mariners for 3 full seasons and most of a fourth before being relieved of his duties late in the 1980 season.
• Zimmer hired Johnson as a coach with the Texas Rangers. When Zimmer was fired in July 1982, Johnson finished the season as manager.
• Johnson was a coach and a special assignment scout with the New York Mets from 1983-1993. He was then a special assistant to the GM for the Mets until 1999.
• Darrell Johnson died of leukemia in 2004.
• Darrell Johnson's SABR biography
• Managerial Record:
• Rochester Red Wings (AAA) (1963-1965)
• Elmira Pioneers (AA) (1966)
• Louisville Colonels / Pawtucket Red Sox (1971-1973)
• Boston Red Sox (1974-1976): 220-188, .530, 1 AL Pennant
• Seattle Mariners (1977-1980): 226-362, .384
• Texas Rangers (1982): 26-40, .394