Former Mets Manager Davey Johnson Battling COVID-19

Davey Johnson, who managed the New York Mets to their second world championship in 1986, is in a hospital fighting COVID-19. Ken Davidoff of the New York Post tweeted that he had reached out to Johnson for a reaction to Hank Aaron‘s passing today, and received the news in a response from Johnson.

I texted the great Davey Johnson to get his thoughts on the passing of his #Braves teammate Hank Aaron. Davey wrote back: "Loved him. Can't talk, in hospital with COVID-19 getting treatment. He was my idol and friend." Wishing Davey strength.

— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) January 22, 2021

Friday night, Justin Toscano of The Record confirmed that Johnson has “since returned home and is resting comfortably” after receiving treatment.

Johnson will turn 78 years old on January 30. He began his baseball career in 1965 with the Orioles. He spent eight seasons in Baltimore and became noteworthy in Mets lore by making the final out of the 1969 World Series.

Johnson then played for the Braves through three seasons, beginning in 1973. In that season, he hit 43 home runs and was one of three Braves to hit 40 home runs, along with Darrell Evans and Aaron.

That was the first time three teammates had hit 40 home runs in a single season. Johnson’s 42 home runs as a second baseman (one came as a pinch hitter) tied the major league record for home runs in a single season by a second baseman.

Johnson played for the Phillies and Cubs after his stint in Atlanta and retired after the 1978 season. In his last season of 1978, he hit two grand slams as a pinch hitter. He is one of five players in history to have accomplished this feat.

Johnson became Mets manager in 1984, and presided over one of the best runs in team history, leading the team to plus-.500 seasons from 1984 through 1989, including a world championship in 1986 and a division championship in 1988.

Johnson was fired by the Mets 42 games into the 1990 season and replaced by Bud Harrelson. Johnson was elected into the Mets Hall of Fame in 2010.

After the Mets, Johnson managed the Reds, Orioles, Dodgers, and Nationals. He has a career managerial record of 1372-1071. He also managed and coached Team USA and the US Olympic baseball team.

The staff at Metsmerized Online wishes Johnson a speedy recovery as he fights COVID-19.

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