CARY, N.C. – USA Baseball joins the baseball world in mourning the loss of one of baseball’s greatest leaders in Davey Johnson. Johnson is one of the most decorated and accomplished coaches in the organization’s history, managing six Professional National Teams between 2005 and 2009.
His tenure with the stars and stripes was highlighted by guiding Team USA to a bronze medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and capturing the first senior World Cup title in more than three decades in 2007. He also managed the U.S. to its first World Baseball Classic semifinals appearance in 2009. Johnson was honored as the USA Baseball Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Davey Johnson,” said Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler. “Davey is a baseball legend whose career was marked by sustained excellence as a player and a coach. He was a true champion in every sense of the word, and it was his leadership that led Team USA to a world championship in 2007 and an Olympic bronze medal in 2008. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and service to USA Baseball, but his impact extended beyond wins and medals. Davey had a profound impact on the athletes and staff who were fortunate to work with him, and we will all forever honor his memory. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Susan, and the entire Johnson family.”
“In 2008, Davey Johnson managed Team USA to a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games, where I had the honor of playing for him. What stood out most to me was not just his baseball brilliance, but the confidence and belief he instilled in every one of us,” said USA Baseball President John Gall. “Davey was a pure baseball man, and his infectious energy will forever endure in the hearts of players, fans, and the entire baseball community. On behalf of USA Baseball, and with great personal respect, I extend our condolences to his wife, Susan, his family, and all who were touched by his remarkable life.”
Johnson’s coaching career with USA Baseball began in 2005, when he managed the U.S. in the XXXVI International Baseball Federation (IBAF) World Cup and later the Pre-Olympic Qualifying Team. He went on to serve as an assistant coach in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006 before managing the Olympic Qualifying Team that earned a berth in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The following year, Johnson guided the Professional National Team to the XXXVII IBAF World Cup title–the red, white, and blue’s first since 1974–and then led Team USA to a bronze medal finish in Beijing the following summer. He capped his tenure by managing the U.S. to the semifinals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the first time. Johnson compiled an overall record of 33-12 as Team USA’s manager in international competition and was a three-time USA Baseball Rod Dedeaux Coach of the Year.
Johnson also enjoyed a storied Major League Baseball (MLB) career as both player and manager. A four-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove Award winner, and two-time World Series champion with the Baltimore Orioles, he transitioned to coaching after his final season in 1978, where he eventually cemented his place among the game’s greatest managers. He began his managerial career with the New York Mets in 1984 and went on to become the first manager in MLB history to win 90 or more games in each of his first five seasons. Johnson led the New York Mets to the 1986 World Series title and remains the winningest manager in Mets history. He guided three additional MLB franchises to postseason appearances and is one of only eight managers in history to be named MLB Manager of the Year in both the American League and the National League (1997 with the Baltimore Orioles, 2012 with the Washington Nationals).
