The performance didn't pass the notice of Johnson's manager Bruce Bochy, especially considering ow Johnson started the year, according to The Chronicle.
"I can't say how impressed I am with his progress," Bochy told The Chronicle. "When we first got him, he couldn't get his breaking pitch over, and his fastballs were all over the place. Now he's throwing like a polished pitcher."
After that slow start, Johnson finished the year with a season ERA of 4.33. He went on to play three more seasons in the Padres organization, but he couldn't continue his late-season 1989 success. He never made AA.
Johnson's career began that year, taken by the club in the 8th round of the draft out of South Georgia College. Johnson is also known as Bill Johnson.
Johnson played that first season at Spokane. Overall, he got into 16 games, starting 12. He went 3-4. He lost two of three starts in mid July, giving up six earned in 18.1 innings. In late August, he picked up his first complete game as a pro.
Johnson moved to single-A Charleston for 1990. In 25 outings, 20 starts, he went just 3-14, with a 6.81 ERA.
Back at Charleston for 1991, he went 3-4 in 36 outings, four starts. His ERA didn't improve, coming in at 6.44. His final time with the Padres came with seven relief outings at single-A Waterloo in 1992.
Johnson later is credited with two stints in independent ball in 1994 and 1996, ending his career.
- Spokane Chronicle, Sept. 5, 1989: Indians, Athletics tie one on
Players/Coaches Featured:1,742
Made the Majors: 826 - 47.4%
Never Made Majors: 916-52.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 358
10+ Seasons in the Minors:209
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