PCL1 Salt Lake Bees

Gary Johnson announces retirement

Published on November 5, 2004 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Salt Lake Bees News Release


ANAHEIM, CA – Outfielder Gary Johnson has announced his retirement from baseball in an announcement this week made by Tony Reagins, the Angels' Director of Player Development. Johnson spent parts of the last three seasons (2002-2004) with the Stingers and is the all-time franchise leader in grand slams with three in his career. "I have no regrets about my baseball career," stated Johnson in a phone interview. "I gave it my best shot and now it's time to move on to other things."

Johnson, 29, finished his Salt Lake career with a .256 (229/894) batting average, with 139 runs scored, 45 doubles, 15 triples, 23 home runs and 145 RBI in 252 games. Johnson played in 91 games for the Stingers in 2004, batting .253 (77/304) with 44 runs scored, 13 doubles, five triples, six home runs and 36 RBI. He belted a grand slam in his second to last home game at Franklin Covey Field to become the all-time Salt Lake franchise leader in grand slams.

He had his contract selected by the Angels from Salt Lake on April 26, 2003 and made his Major League debut, a start in right field vs. Boston that night. He doubled in his first ML at bat and went 2-for-3 with one run scored in his first game. In five games with the Angels, Johnson batted .375 (3-for-8) with one run scored and one double including a 1-for-3 performance against Pedro Martinez on April 27, 2003.

Johnson played baseball at Brigham Young University in 1999, following an LDS church mission to Madrid, Spain. He became the 25th Cougar to play baseball in the Major Leagues and the most recent BYU player to do so. Originally selected by the Angels in the 19th round of the 1999 free agent draft, Johnson played professional baseball for six years in the Angels' organization. He was named the Angels' Minor League Player of the Year in 2000 after combining to hit .313 (164/524) with 100 runs scored, 30 doubles, six triples, 23 home runs and 118 RBI between single-A Lake Elsinore and double-A Erie.

Gary is currently finishing his Bachelor's degree in Political Science at the University of California at Berkeley. He plans to attend business school in the future and says that he would love to coach high school baseball someday. "Playing in Salt Lake was a dream because I love the city," stated Johnson. "I also love to go hiking and fishing in the beautiful mountains. The Stingers fans were great and I really enjoyed my time there. Hopefully I can convince my wife to move back there someday." Johnson and his wife Claire currently reside in Menlo Park, California.

For more information, check out www.stingersbaseball.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from November 5, 2004


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