Johnny Lindell made the transition from a pitcher to an outfielder in the major leagues,
then battled back to the majors again as a pitcher near the end of his career. After
signing with the Yankees while at the University of Southern California, he posted
outstanding minor league pitching marks, including 23-4 at Newark in 1941. He was
called up to the majors at the end of that season and spent '42 on the Yankee staff.
He threw a knuckleball and curve, but Yankee manager
Joe McCarthy did not believe
he had a major league fastball and switched him to the outfield in 1943. In his best
season, 1944, he hit .300 with 18 home runs and 103 RBI. After WWII ended, he was
used mostly as a reserve. All told, he played on three pennant winners (1943, '47,
'49).
Sold to the Cardinals in May 1950, he managed only a .186 batting average.
At the end of the season, he was sold again, this time to Hollywood of the PCL, where
manager Fred Haney put him back on the pitching mound. In 1952 he posted a 24-9 pitching
record, batted fourth, and occasionally played the outfield. He was easily the league
MVP. At age thirty-six he returned to the majors, pitching for the Pirates and Phillies
in 1953 for a combined 6-17 mark. He had trouble putting his knuckleball over (his
139 bases on balls led the league) and hitters sat on his fastball.
(BC)
Johnny Lindell
