JAMES (POP) JOHNSON, Cincinnati, Ohio

Inducted 1985

Organizer: In 1945, at age 36, James “Pop” Johnson won the National Amateur Championship.  He was the Kentucky State Champion in 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950.  In 1974 he won the World Intermediate Championship, having a record of 7-0 and pitching 67.4% ringers.  He qualified for the Men’s Championship Class ten times, winning 149 games, and in 1950 he beat Ted Allen and Fernando Isais in back-to-back games.  His best finish was in 1952, when he finished in 6th place, pitching 77.4%.  Johnson was elected NHPA Vice President in 1961 and he also served on the NHPA Hall of Fame Committee from 1960 to 1970.