Home Run Johnson

Grant "Home Run" Johnson acquired his nickname after hitting a purported 60 long balls with the 1894 Findlay Sluggers, an integrated semi-pro club out of Ohio. Though his otherworldly home run totals waned, Johnson's exploits as a professional were just as impressive. A line-drive artist with good speed and unparalleled bat control, he would earn a reputation as one of the Deadball Era's top hitters and shortstops—regardless of race. Grant claimed he "never swang for the fences," but his strategy of waiting for a good pitch and ability to live up to his moniker in big spots speaks loudly. However, he remained at his core, a pure hitter in the Willie Keeler-Ty Cobb mold. Johnson later said his approach was based upon the idea that a pitcher would prefer to "face the mighty swinger to the cool, steady batter who tries to meet the ball and place it."

Home Run Johnson 

One of Grant's most memorable long balls came during the first inning of a 1909 exhibition game that pitted the Lincoln Giants against Walter Johnson and the Washington Senators. "Lay that fastball in here, Mr. Johnson," boasted the playful slugger, "and I'll knock it over the fence." True to his word, he proceeded to deposit the first pitch of the ballgame into the left-field stands. In a 1939 interview with Shirley Povich, "The Big Train" begrudgingly confirmed the story: "I didn't like the way this 'Home Run' Johnson was crowing about his hit," he grumbled.

Aside from the obvious, Johnson shared much in common with his big-league counterpart—Frank "Home Run" Baker. Johnson stood 5-foot-10 and weighed 170-pounds; Baker was an inch taller and weighed 173. Both were defensive standouts on the left side of the infield and averaged around 10 homers per season, with each man topping out (in league play) at 12 big flies. Both were exceptional all-around batsmen who stole a fair amount of bases, rarely struck out, and routinely ranked among the league leaders in doubles, triples, and batting average. Despite their 14 year age difference, the pair's top offensive seasons (1911-13) uncannily overlap; each man passed away in 1963.

A native of Findlay, Ohio, Grant Johnson was born on September 23, 1872. Following his stint with the hometown Sluggers, he and teammate Bud Fowler—who in 1878 became the first African American to play pro baseball—formed the legendary Page Fence Giants, a Michigan-based barnstorming team, in 1895. Despite his youth, the well-liked and highly intelligent lad was named team captain; he finished the year with a .471 batting average as the club won over 100 games. In 1899, Johnson joined the powerhouse Chicago Columbia Giants, hitting .529 with two home runs and seven ribbies in only four games during their "cross-country title match" versus the Cuban X-Giants. The following year he was named captain of the rival X-Giants, who proceeded to win the 1903 colored championship.

Johnson joined the Philadelphia Giants in 1905; the 32-year-old hit .370 while pacing the club in home runs (12), walks, and sacrifices. A man of many talents, he also took the mound upon occasion and was famous for baffling opponents with his submarine delivery. In 1906, he was named player-manager of the Brooklyn Royal Giants, finishing the year with 16 extra-base hits, 22 runs batted in, and a .362/.459/.606 slash-line in 24 games versus top clubs from the East. If you count exhibitions, Johnson paced the "Eastern Independent League" with a .497 average. That offseason, he played his first of five winters in Cuba, finishing with a .347 average. A .319 hitter during his time in the Caribbean, he became the first American to win the island's batting crown in 1912 (.410) and twice led the circuit in hits.

A teetotaler who kept in tip-top shape year-round, Johnson seemed to get better with age. As a member of Rube Foster's 1910 Leland Giants, the 37-year-old hit .397. Following the regular season, Johnson put on a show for the ages: He hit .412 in a 12 game exhibition series versus the Detroit Tigers, followed by a .429 average in ten contests against the Philadelphia Athletics (Hall of Famers Chief Bender and Eddie Plank started seven of those games).

In 1911, Johnson began a three-year stint with the New York Lincoln Giants, with whom he compiled an aggregate .386 average versus all comers, including a high of .413 in 1912. As he approached his 40th birthday, Johnson—a witty, inspirational speaker of sorts—became increasingly involved as a mentor to young players, who affectionately called him "Dad." Though his best days were behind him, he continued to play and manage in the Negro Leagues until 1923. A true baseball lifer, Grant made regular appearances with semi-pro and barnstorming clubs until age 58. (Chappie Gardner—editor and publisher of the Negro Professional Baseball Guide—once marveled that Johnson was still "hitting 'em through the infield at 50.")

Following his retirement, Johnson settled down in Buffalo and took a job with the New York Central Railroad. A role model on and off the field, he touched the lives of countless neigborhood children over the years—talking baseball and warning against the evils of smoking and drinking. Johnson's life lessons proved sound; he passed away on September 5, 1963—18 days shy of his 91st birthday.

The Findlay Republican Courier ran an obituary that read in part: "Grant 'Home Run' Johnson, a former Findlay resident, died of a heart failure after surgery. . . . As a youth, Mr. Johnson became interested in baseball and formed a club here known as the Page Fence Giants. He played for a number of ball clubs after leaving Findlay. . . . Mr. Johnson was a former choir member of the AME Church and was known in the city and county for his musical ability. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Chruch in Buffalo, N.Y. A few years ago, he became totally blind and entered the Erie Home of the Blind."

✍️ Bobby King II