From the Collection: Connie Johnson, sp, Baltimore Orioles

Connie Johnson made the majors in 1953 with the Chicago White Sox. By the time he made it to the show his arm had some miles on it. He had been pitching–often spectacularly–since 1940. But baseball’s color barrier meant that he would never have a chance to showcase his talents during the prime of his career.

He only spent five seasons in the majors, but they were five very solid years. His best season was in 1957 with Baltimore, when he went 14-11 with a 3.20 ERA/1.149 WHIP. Good for an ERA+ of 112. Worth noting that the O’s were not a powerhouse that season (finishing with a .500 record), so he earned those 14 wins.

He is yet another player who you have to wonder what he could have accomplished if it not for the institutionalized racism of baseball during the first half of the 20th century.