Former Padres – Mike Johnson, a right-handed submariner who made six memorable seasons in the majors with the San Diego Padres, has died at 75. His brief big-league run included 18 relief appearances, a 0–2 record, and a 4.64 ERA—plus a debut in a high-pressure ninth inning f
Mike Johnson learned to make his living in the margins—on the mound, in relief, and often in the narrow space between a tie and a loss.
Johnson, a former Padres pitcher who included a cup of coffee with San Diego in 1974, has died at 75. His big league career lasted six years in professional baseball. but the majors came in a brief. specific way: 18 relief appearances out of the Padres’ bullpen. When he retired, his stat line read 0–2 with a 4.64 ERA.
Born and raised in Faribault, Minnesota, Johnson was originally an infielder before converting to pitching while growing up. The change followed him through his early life. He 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. From there. he became a right-handed submariner—a style that shaped how opponents saw him and how teammates described the craft. Johnson appeared in 292 professional games from 1969 to 1974, but only started one of them.
His minor league career was far longer than the spotlight he got in the majors. He saved 57 games before his time with San Diego ended.
Johnson’s major league debut came on July 25, 1974, in the ninth inning of a tense game in Atlanta. The bases were loaded, and the recently crowned home run king Hank Aaron was on second. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Johnson induced an inning-ending groundout from Braves first baseman Davey Johnson to preserve a 0-0 tie. The pause didn’t last. A run scored in the 10th inning, and the Padres lost 1-0.
He had other moments that lingered. He threw a scoreless inning against the Giants in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 1974, before being lifted for a pinch hitter—future Hall of Fame teammate Dave Winfield. Johnson was just 23 years old then, and he never pitched in a major or minor league game again.
The stories about his rare path out of baseball’s grind continued after his career ended. In 2017, Johnson was inducted into the Faribault Sports Hall of Fame. There. he 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 major league career.
After retiring from baseball, 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.
Mike Johnson Padres baseball pitcher Faribault submariner Hank Aaron Dave Winfield Johnny Bench death at 75