Ken Johnson

Pitcher, Baseball Player

1923 – 2004

15

Who was Ken Johnson?

Kenneth Wandersee Johnson, nicknamed "Hook" for his curveball, was an American professional baseball player, a pitcher who appeared in 74 games pitched in Major League Baseball for three different teams between the 1947 and 1952 seasons. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch, 185 pounds, he batted and threw left-handed.

The native of Topeka, Kansas, served in World War II in the United States Army in the Pacific Theater of Operations, where he was a tank commander.

Johnson was a hard-throwing pitcher but lacked in control he made up for in velocity and movement. His wildness impeded his career, though he had flashes of brilliance.

He entered the Majors in 1947 with the St. Louis Cardinals, playing for them in part of four seasons before joining the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers. In his first major league start, he pitched a one-hitter for the Cardinals against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. He struggled with his control after that and was sent by St. Louis to the Phillies in exchange for outfielder Johnny Blatnik. He went 4–1 as a member of the famous Phillies Whiz Kids, on the way to the National League pennant.

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Born
Jan 14, 1923
Topeka
Profession
Lived in
  • Topeka
Died
Apr 6, 2004
Wichita

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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