Cleveland Indians
After the season, the Angels cleaned house. Phillip and Walsh were both fired, Ruiz was released, and the Angels traded Johnson to the Cleveland Indians with Jerry Moses for Frank Baker, Vada Pinson, and Alan Foster.
More 'emotional disturbance' followed Johnson to his new club when Ruiz was killed in an auto accident on February 9, 1972 (Johnson attended the funeral). Johnson got off to a fast start for the Indians, as his batting average reached .328 on May 6, but a 6-for-66 slump brought his average down to .208 by June. Johnson appeared to be emerging from his slump when Phillips, who had been rehired by the Angels as a scout, was fatally stricken by an asthma attack on June 12. Shortly afterwards, Johnson went into a 5-for-37 slump that dropped his season average to .219.
Johnson's hitting was blamed on a heel injury, which limited him to pinch hitting during the first half of August. He resumed his role of everyday left fielder on August 19, and batted .351 over the rest of the season.
Read more about this topic: Alex Johnson
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