CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Pelicans GM Johnson Named CL Calvin Falwell Award Winner

Published on September 16, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, SC - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are extremely proud to announce that General Manager North Johnson has been named as the recipient of the Carolina League's 2008 Calvin Falwell Award as the league's top executive. The award marks the fourth time Johnson, 50, has been honored by league owners, general managers and managers.

Johnson, who joined the Pelicans as General Manager before the 2007 season, was also honored as the Carolina League's Executive of the Year three times during a 17-year tenure as General Manager of the Kinston Indians (1988, 1994, 2000). 2008 marked the 30th season in baseball for Johnson, who began his career working for Falwell as the Business Manager for the Lynchburg Mets in 1978.

"It is extremely gratifying to be honored with the Calvin Falwell Award, especially considering I got my start with him in Lynchburg," said Johnson. "It goes without saying that this is a team award for the Pelicans and I am very proud to lead the best front office staff in minor league baseball."

The award for Johnson punctuates an unprecedented record-breaking season for Myrtle Beach. The Pelicans swept the Carolina League's three post-season awards, as Rocket Wheeler was named CL Manager of the Year and Chris "Butter" Ball was recognized as CL Sports Turf Manager of the Year for a third consecutive season for his work on BB&T Coastal Field.

During the season, the Pelicans established a new 10-year franchise attendance record, welcoming 242,397 fans to the ballpark. The club also hosted the highly-successful 2008 California-Carolina League All-Star Game and All-Star Gala at Hard Rock Park. On the field, the Pelicans swept the first and second half championships for the first time since 2000, established a new franchise wins record (89) and had more post-season All-Star selections (5) than any other CL team.

"When we brought North to Myrtle Beach we knew we were getting one of the game's absolute best," said Pelicans' President & Managing Partner Chuck Greenberg. "His outstanding leadership has been essential to our growing momentum on the Grand Strand and will be a cornerstone of the heights we intend to reach in the future."

Recent Carolina League Executives of the Year

1987: Jeff Mercer (Prince William)

1988: North Johnson (Kinston)

1989: Sam Lazzaro (Salem)

1990: Keith Lupton (Frederick)

1991: Rob Dlugozima (Durham)

1992: Keith Lupton (Frederick)

1993: Chris Kemple (Wilmington)

1994: North Johnson (Kinston)

1995: Paul Sunwall (Lynchburg)

1996: Dave Oster (Salem)

1997: Pat Filippone (Prince William)

1998: Chris Kemple (Wilmington)

1999: Joe Preseren (Frederick)

2000: North Johnson (Kinston)

2001: Joe Pinto (Frederick)

2002: Chris Kemple (Wilmington)

2003: Chris Kemple (Wilmington)

2004: Chris Kemple (Wilmington)

2005: Matt O'Brien (Myrtle Beach)

2006: John Katz (Salem)

2007: Shari Massengill (Kinston)

2008: North Johnson (Myrtle Beach)

North was also named the California League's Executive of the Year in 2005 during a three-year stint as General Manager of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (2004-06). He currently resides in Myrtle Beach with his wife Anita and daughter Taylor (15). His son Stephen, 18, recently started his freshman year at East Carolina University.

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Carolina League Stories from September 16, 2008


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