Davey Johnson (1943-2025)
In 2000, when I was running for a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, I received a telephone call from a Mrs. Susan Johnson. She told me that she and her husband had recently moved to the Los Angeles County area, that they were big fans of my congressional service, and they asked how they might volunteer on my campaign. As it turns out, the reason that the couple had moved to the area some months earlier was because her husband, Major League Baseball star Davey Johnson, had taken over as the new of manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
During his playing years with the Baltimore Orioles, Davey and his teammates won four American League pennants and two World Series championships; he won the Gold Glove Award three times, and he played in four All-Star Games. Later, he managed the New York Mets to win the 1986 World Series, and he led his team to win the National League East title two years later. He won the American League's Manager of the Year Award in 1997, and the National League's Manager of the Year Award in 2012.
After we connected on that long ago occasion, Davey and Susan put together a fundraiser for me in Pasadena; while it was in full swing, at least a dozen of his Dodgers players showed up—all in suits and ties. It was quite an evening, and I have never forgotten their kindness to a candidate who was struggling in what was regarded as the toughest and most expensive House race in US history (up to that time).
Davey Johnson died today at age 82 in Sarasota, Florida. My heart and prayers go out to Susan and their family. May God bless them, and may he rest in peace.
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