He Led the Mets to Their Stunning '86 World Series Win

Davey Johnson, an All-Star second baseman who won the World Series twice with the Baltimore Orioles as a player and managed the New York Mets to the title in 1986, has died. He was 82. Longtime Mets public relations representative Jay Horwitz said Johnson's wife, Susan, informed him of his death after a long illness, per the AP. Johnson was at a hospital in Sarasota, Florida, when he died Friday, Horwitz said.

Johnson played 13 major league seasons with Baltimore, the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs from 1965 to 1978 and won the Gold Glove three times, while being voted an All-Star four times. He managed the Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Washington Nationals, during a span from 1984 to 2013. Former Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo called it a tough day. "Davey was a good man, close friend, and a mentor," Rizzo said in a text. "A Hall of Fame caliber manager with a baseball mind ahead of his time."

Darryl Strawberry, a member of the '86 Mets, called Johnson a remarkable leader who transformed the franchise into a winning organization. "His ability to empower players to express themselves while maintaining a strong commitment to excellence was truly inspiring," Strawberry posted on Instagram, along with a photo of him, Johnson, and Dwight "Doc" Gooden. "Davey's legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of fans and players alike. My heartfelt condolences go out to Susan Johnson and the entire Johnson family during this difficult time. He will be missed but remembered for his incredible impact on the game and the lives he touched."