Davey Johnson dies at 82: Career, and more about MLB manager explored

MLB manager Davey Johnson passes away at 82. The four-time All-Star second baseman died of a long illness, according to his family. His passing was announced by JAY Horwitz, the former longtime public relations head for the team.

"I’m glad I got to say my goodbyes in person last February. Last night around midnight I got a call that I had been dreading. When I saw Susan Johnson’s name appear, I knew that news would not be good."

He further added, "Susan, Davey Johnson’s wife, told me that my dear friend and manger of our 1986 World Championship team had passed away at the age of 82. After I hung up, I just thought how lucky I was to spend some quality time with him while I was in Florida for a few days."

"Davey was innovate, bold and someone who was never afraid to take a chance. I’m glad I got a chance to give him one last embrace," Jay concluded.

Davey Johnson's career explored

Johnson started at Texas A&M before signing with the Baltimore Orioles in 1962 and debuted in the MLB in 1965. As a second baseman, he earned three Gold Glove awards and contributed to Baltimore’s World Series titles in 1966 and 1970.

In 1973, he set a single-season record for second basemen with 43 home runs with the Atlanta Braves. Adding to his illustrious career, he has also played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs and spent two seasons with NPB’s Tokyo Giants, becoming their first non-Japanese player before he finally retired in 1978 after 13 MLB seasons.

As a manager, his greatest success came with the New York Mets, whom he managed from 1984 to 1990. Considering he took over a team that hadn’t won a pennant since 1973, he changed the team's history and turned them into a powerhouse. Under Davey Johnson’s leadership, the 1986 Mets won 108 games, the highest number by the franchise, and captured the World Series, and he became the first National League manager to win at least 90 games in each of his first five seasons. His managerial career records a 1,372-1,071 record (.562 winning percentage) across 17 seasons.

He will be remembered as one of baseball's elites, with his equally great career as both a player and a manager.

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