Reuters/Field Level Media – Davey Johnson, who managed the New York Mets to the World Series title in 1986, has died at 82.
He passed away Friday, according to a post on X from Jay Horwitz, the former longtime public relations head for the team. Johnson’s cause of death was not revealed.
The Mets issued a statement from owner Steve Cohen on Saturday afternoon.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Davey Johnson,” Coehn said. “Davey’s 595 wins remain the most in franchise history, and his legacy is highlighted by him leading the 1986 team to a World Series championship. He led with a quiet confidence and unwavering belief in his team, always caring deeply for his players both on and off the field. He had a distinguished 13-year playing career, including winning two World Series titles with the Orioles. On behalf of our entire organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Davey’s family, friends, and all who were impacted by his remarkable life and career.”
Johnson was managing the Mets’ Triple-A squad when he was hired ahead of the 1984 season, taking over a team that George Bamberger and Frank Howard led to a 68-94 record in 1983.
In his first two seasons, his teams won 90 games in 1984 and 98 games in 1985. The following season, the Mets finished the regular season with a mark of 108-54 on their way to a World Series win over the Boston Red Sox in seven games.
That’s the series remembered for the Game 6 blunder by Bill Buckner of the Red Sox. Playing first base, Buckner couldn’t cleanly field a ground ball by New York’s Mookie Wilson, with Ray Knight scoring from second base on the error to tie the series at three games each. The Mets won Game 7 to capture the series.
The Mets fell short of a return visit to the World Series in 1988. After a 100-60 record in the regular season, they lost the National League Championship Series in seven games to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Johnson managed the Mets until the team started the 1990 season with a 20-22 record, when he was replaced by Bud Harrelson.
In all, his record in New York was 595-417 (.588), making him the winningest manager in Mets history.
He went on to manage the Cincinnati Reds (1993-95), Baltimore Orioles (1996-97), Los Angeles Dodgers (1999-2000) and Washington Nationals (2011-2013).
He retired with an overall record of 1,372-1,071 (.562) in 17 seasons as a manager. He was named Manager of the Year in the American League in 1997 and National League in 2012.
His winning percentage stands sixth among managers who won 1,300 or more games. The five above him all are in the Baseball Hall of Fame: Joe McCarthy, John McGraw, Al Lopez, Earl Weaver and Fred Clarke.
Johnson played for Weaver with the Baltimore Orioles, spending the first eight seasons of his career (1965-72) there before moving on to the Atlanta Braves (1973-75), Philadelphia Phillies (1977-78) and Chicago Cubs (1978).
A four-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, Johnson played in 1,435 games and amassed 1,252 hits, 136 home runs and 609 RBIs. His lifetime batting average was .261.
A second baseman, he appeared in four World Series with the Orioles, winning in 1966 and 1970. The Orioles issued a statement Saturday morning.
“We mourn the passing of Orioles Hall of Fame second baseman Davey Johnson, who earned three All-Star berths with the club and later managed the team to two Postseason appearances,” the team said.
After being traded to the Braves in 1973, he hit 43 home runs. He joined Henry Aaron (40) and Darrell Evans (41) to become the first three teammates to each reach at least 40 home runs in a season.
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