In 1896, in a rare pitching appearance, Johnson was the winning hurler in the Black Baseball World Championship series-clinching game in Caro, Michigan, on September 25, 1896, against the Cuban X Giants.

In 1903 and 1904, Johnson played for the Cuban X-Giants and captained the team to the colored championship in 1903, defeating the Philadelphia Giants for the honor.

Findlay, Ohio's celebrated contribution to African-American baseball history turned 33 years old late that season.

The unselfish qualities of Johnson's power-packed swing helped him to lead the team in categories such as hit-by pitches, sacrifice hits and, of course, home runs with 12.

An honorable man of exemplary character, he hustled out ground balls and seldom disputed an umpire's questionable call.

Johnson was rushed back into the team's starting line-up, and as a consequence his home run totals slumped dramatically.

Sportswriter Harry Daniels named Captain Grant Johnson to his 1909 "All-American Team" saying he "always has been a hard, consistent hitter, fielder, and base runner, and a great handler.

On November 5, 2021, he was selected to the final ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Early Days Committee for consideration for the Class of 2022.