1986 World Series-Winning Mets Manager, Davey Johnson, Dies…

Davey Johnson, the former New York Mets manager who won the 1986 World Series, has passed away at the age of 82. According to his wife, Susan, he died on Friday in Sarasota, Florida, following a prolonged illness. Johnson was renowned both as an accomplished player and a respected manager. He won two World Series titles as a player and another one as a manager.

Born in Orlando, Florida, in 1943, Johnson spent 13 seasons playing in Major League Baseball as a second baseman. Throughout his career, he made four All-Star teams and won three Gold Glove awards. As a player, he won the World Series with the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 and 1970.

Johnson later transitioned into a role as a manager. Hired by the Mets in 1984, he led the team to victory with an impressive 108 wins in the 1986 regular season. This success culminated in defeating the Boston Red Sox in seven games in the World Series. Johnson also served as manager for the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals, accumulating 1,372 game wins as a manager before his retirement in 2013.

His leadership at the 1986 New York Mets was characterized by his trust in young stars such as Dwight “Doc” Gooden and Darryl Strawberry, complemented by experienced players like Keith Hernandez. This balance brought success to the team, with the Mets clinching one of the most memorable World Series victories in October 1986. The exhilarating Game 6 at Shea Stadium turned into a historic event when the Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner missed a ground ball, allowing the Mets to win the game and later the title in Game 7.

Following the news of Johnson’s passing, many offered their condolences and reminisced about his impact on the sport. Mets announcer Howie Rose stated, “I learned more about baseball from Davey Johnson than anyone else in my career.” Hall of Famer Jim Palmer paid tribute to Johnson as a “longtime teammate and friend.” Johnson is survived by his wife, Susan.