RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Robert Lee Johnson, known to baseball fans as "Indian Bob," was a remarkable outfielder whose career spanned over a decade in Major League Baseball. Born on November 26, 1905, in Pryor Creek, Oklahoma, Johnson was of partial Cherokee descent, which earned him his nickname. His journey to the major leagues was not a direct one, as he spent
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Robert Lee Johnson, known to baseball fans as "Indian Bob," was a remarkable outfielder whose career spanned over a decade in Major League Baseball. Born on November 26, 1905, in Pryor Creek, Oklahoma, Johnson was of partial Cherokee descent, which earned him his nickname. His journey to the major leagues was not a direct one, as he spent several years honing his skills in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut.
Johnson's major league career began with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1933. He quickly established himself as a reliable and powerful hitter. In his rookie season, he hit 21 home runs and drove in 93 runs, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly to his team's offensive efforts. Over the next several years, Johnson became a consistent performer for the Athletics, regularly hitting over .290 and driving in more than 100 runs in multiple seasons.
One of Johnson's standout seasons came in 1934 when he hit .320 with 34 home runs and 128 RBIs. His performance placed him among the league's top hitters, and he continued to be a formidable presence at the plate throughout his career. Johnson was known for his strong throwing arm and solid defensive skills in the outfield, making him a well-rounded player.
In 1943, after a decade with the Athletics, Johnson was traded to the Washington Senators. Despite being in the latter stages of his career, he continued to perform at a high level. That year, he hit .265 with 22 home runs and 94 RBIs, proving that he still had plenty to offer on the field. His tenure with the Senators was short-lived, however, as he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1944.
With the Red Sox, Johnson played two more seasons before retiring in 1945. Even in his final years, he maintained a respectable level of play, contributing both offensively and defensively. Over the course of his career, Johnson was selected to the All-Star team seven times, a testament to his consistent performance and respect among his peers.
Johnson's career statistics reflect his prowess as a hitter. He finished with a .296 batting average, 288 home runs, and 1,283 RBIs. These numbers place him among the top players of his era, and his contributions to the teams he played for were invaluable. Despite playing in an era overshadowed by other legendary figures, Johnson's achievements on the field were significant.
After retiring from baseball, Johnson lived a relatively quiet life away from the spotlight. He passed away on July 6, 1982, in Tacoma, Washington.
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Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Indian Bob Johnson Biography
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
Paperback-book in appearance, this annual publication included a few short summary articles, black and white photographs of players and teams...
/ Paperback-book in appearance, this annual publication included a few short summary articles, black and white photographs of players and teams in the first half of the book and extensive statistics on the previous season in the second half of the book.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
The magazine was founded by Boston sportswriter Jake Morse prior to the 1908 season. It continued publishing until September...
/ The magazine was founded by Boston sportswriter Jake Morse prior to the 1908 season. It continued publishing until September 1957. The magazine was resurrected for a short reprieve from November 1964 through April 1965, before folding again.