Alex Johnson - Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds

Pete Rose, the left fielder in Cincinnati in 1967, was shifted to right for 1968. Mack Jones, a left-handed hitter acquired from the Atlanta Braves shortly before Johnson, was the early on favorite to inherit the left field job. Johnson had already been labelled as "moody" and "uncoachable" during his days with the Phillies and Cardinals, however, he impressed Reds manager Dave Bristol that Spring to the point where he was given the starting job in left regardless of the fact that a lefty bat would have been more suitable for the Reds' line-up.

Johnson also earned a reputation as a notoriously slow starter by the time he joined the Reds, and was batting .259 with four RBIs through April. He turned it around in May, batting .366 to move into the National League batting race. He finished the season at .312, fourth place behind Rose and two of the Alou brothers (Matty & Felipe), to be named the Sporting News' National League Comeback Player of the Year.

Though his potential to hit for power was recognized throughout his early career, he entered the 1969 season having hit just seventeen career home runs. He changed all that in 1969, matching his career total, while also driving in a career high 88 runs and scoring a career high 86 runs. He also finished sixth in the N.L. with a .315 batting average.

Despite his hitting prowess, Johnson was something of a defensive liability as he led National League outfielders in errors both seasons in Cincinnati. In need of pitching, and with hot outfield prospect Bernie Carbo ready to make a jump to the majors, the Reds dealt Johnson and utility infielder Chico Ruiz to the California Angels for Pedro Borbón, Jim McGlothlin, and Vern Geishert.