Back when Davey Johnson managed the New York Mets, winning took precedence over the team's constant controversy.
The New York Mets will make an addition to their standard uniforms this season, with players wearing a “Davey” patch to commemorate the contributions of former manager Davey Johnson, who passed back in September of last year at the age of 82 after a long illness.
The news was reported by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, who also included the statement issue by owners Steve and Alex Cohen.
“Davey was a bold manager who led with a quiet confidence and an unwavering belief in his team,” Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. “He cared deeply for his players both on and off the field. Some of the greatest players in our team history credit him for their successes. In the 40th anniversary of the 1986 championship, this is a fitting tribute to the man who guided the team to that title.”
Johnson certainly deserves the commemorative. He had 595 career wins as the Mets manager, which still ranks first in franchise history, as does his .589 winning percentage, according to DiComo. Johnson averaged over 95 wins a season during his six-year tenure with the franchise, and in 1986 he led the Mets to their last World Series win, posting a franchise-record 108 wins that year.
Johnson’s time as manager of the Mets was anything but placid, though. Back then the Mets had controversial stars like Darryl Strawberry and Gary Carter, not to mention outspoken types like Keith Hernandez, and “colorful” barely begins to describe what the team was like back then.
Johnson never finished a season below .500, but the Mets dismissed him in 1990 when the team’s record fell to 20-22. Johnson went on to manage the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals, and he also guided the Nationals to a division title in 2012. He never lost more than he won, and Johnson's career managing percentage of .562 ranks sixth among major league managers with at least 1,300 wins.
One thing that often gets lost in Johnson’s managerial record is his achievements as a player. He helped anchor one of the best infields in baseball as a second baseman with the Orioles back in the 1960s, and Johnson also had a 43-home run season with the Atlanta Braves in 1973.
The Mets will also commemorate his achievements this season, and his family will participate in Opening Day ceremonies at Citi Field on Thursday, with his widow, Susan escorting his stepson and grandson to the mound for ceremonial first pitches. Those pitches will be caught by Strawberry and Mookie Wilson, who also played for Johnson.
The 1986 championship team will he honored throughout this season, with a reunion ceremony scheduled for Aug. 1 at Citi Field.