No star, Johnston was a hustler who would play anywhere and always to the outer limits
of his abilities. He was well-traveled in the minors, hiring on with seven clubs
in four leagues before finding a home in 1916 with Brooklyn, where he was a fan favorite
for a decade. Essentially an outfielder, he finally played the most games at third,
a significant number at second and short, and 49 at first. He was a solid righthanded
hitter, even in the dead-ball days, and eventually achieved .325 averages in the
two years (1921 and 1923) when he had 203 hits. In a 1922 game, he hit for the cycle.
The Dodgers used him in the leadoff spot, as he could wait out a pitcher, run the
bases cleverly, and steal. In 1920 he and brother Doc, of the Indians, were the first
family pair to face each other in a World Series (beating the Meusels by a year).
After his playing days, the Tennessean coached the Dodgers and managed a number of
minor league teams.
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»September 22, 1916: Brooklyn's Jimmy Johnston swipes 2B, 3B, and home as Rube Marquard 6-hits the Cardinals for a 11–1 win. Brooklyn's Hack Miller makes his first appearance, going hitless in one at bat as a late inning replacement.
»August 6, 1919:
In each of the first three innings of Brooklyn's 6-1 victory over the Reds, Jimmy Johnston faces
a different Cincinnati pitcher and raps each one for a single.
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