[2] Johnson, whose strength was as an administrator, joined the New York Yankees organization in 1947, working for them for 24 years.

Johnson was later promoted as general manager of the Double-A Binghamton Triplets farm club, traveling secretary for the Yankees, and finally as vice president for minor league operations.

[3] When Bowie Kuhn was elected baseball commissioner in 1969, Johnson joined his office staff for the next eight years.

Following his stint as administrator for Kuhn, Johnson was unanimously elected as president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues at the Winter Meetings held in 1978, succeeding Bobby Bragan.

[3] With Johnson at the helm, the NAPBL attendance soared to more than 20 million fans in 1987, a figure not matched since the 1953 season.