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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Pitcher Mike Johnson, whose six-year career in professional baseball included a cup of coffee with the San Diego Padres in 1974, has died. He was 75.
Johnson's big league career was brief but memorable, consisting of 18 relief appearances out of the Padres' bullpen. He retired with an 0-2 record and 4.64 ERA.
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Originally an infielder, Johnson converted to pitching growing up in Faribault, Minnesota. The move proved wise.
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Johnson graduated from Faribault High School, where he was an all-conference athlete in baseball, basketball and football. At his high school graduation party in 1969, Johnson signed a pro contract offer from Cincinnati Reds scout Bob Burke.
A right-handed submariner, Johnson started only one of the 292 professional games he appeared in from 1969-74. He saved 57 games in his minor league career.
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After six seasons in the minors, Johnson debuted on July 25, 1974, in the ninth inning of a tense game in Atlanta.
The bases were loaded — recently crowned home run king Hank Aaron was on second — and two men were out in the bottom of the ninth. Johnson induced an inning-ending groundout from Braves first baseman Davey Johnson to preserve a 0-0 tie, only to allow a run in the 10th inning of the Padres' 1-0 loss.
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When he was inducted into the Faribault Sports Hall of Fame in 2017, Johnson recounted throwing 14 pitches to Johnny Bench in a plate appearance that ended with the Reds' catcher hitting a single. Bench was one of three future Hall of Famers Johnson faced in his brief career.
On Oct. 2, 1974, Johnson threw a scoreless inning against the Giants in San Francisco, then was lifted for a pinch hitter — future Hall of Fame teammate Dave Winfield. Although he was just 23 years old, Johnson never pitched in a major or minor league game again.
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After retiring, Johnson worked in construction and service trades. He and his wife Janna eventually relocated to Arizona, where they started a pest control business.
Johnson is survived by Janna, his two sons, and five siblings.
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