Davey Johnson, who won 2 World Series with Orioles, managed Mets by Title, dies at 82

New York-Davey Johnson, an All-Star Second Honkman who won the World Series twice with the Baltimore Orioles as a player and the New York Mets in 1986 for the title, died. He was 82.

Jay Horwitz, representative of Mets Public Relations, said that Johnson’s wife, Susan, informed him of his death after a long illness. Johnson was in a hospital in Sarasota, Florida, when he died on Friday, Horwitz said.

Johnson played 13 Major League seasons with Baltimore, the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs from 1965-78 and won the Gold Glove three times while he was voted an All-Star four times. He managed the Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals during a span of 1984-2013.

Former National Manager Mike Rizzo called it a tough day.

“Davey was a good man, good friend and a mentor,” Rizzo said in an SMS. “A Hall of Fame Caliber Manager with a basehound spirit for his time.”

Darryl Strawberry, a member of the ’86 Mets, on social media called Johnson a remarkable leader who transformed the franchise into a winning organization.

“His ability to enable players to express themselves while maintaining a strong dedication to excellence was really inspiring,” Strawberry was Posted on Instagram With a photo of him, Johnson and Dwight “Doc”, throwing. “Davey’s legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of both fans and players. My sincere condolences go to Susan Johnson and the entire Johnson family in this difficult time. He will be missed but remembered for his incredible impact on the game and the lives he touched.”

“He knew how to get the best out of everyone”

Ryan Zimmerman, who played with Washington from 2011-13 for Johnson, said that Johnson was an even better person than he was a baseball man.

“He knew how to get the best out of everyone – on and next to the field,” Zimmerman said in an SMS. “I learned so much from him and my career would not have been the same without my years with him. He will be deeply missed by so many people.”

Johnson was already -manager of the year in 1997 when Baltimore won the division. He was Dutch manager of the year in 2012 when the Nationals made the play -offs for the first time since the move from Montreal.

“Davey was a world -class manager,” said owner Mark Lerner in a statement. “I will always cherish the memories that we have made together with the Nationals, and I know that his estate will live in the heads and spirits of our fans and those about baseball.”