100 Greatest Phillies: 75 – Jay Johnstone
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sun, January 11, 2009 03:39 PM | Comments: 12
100 Greatest Phillies, Posts
Jay Johnstone
Outfielder
1974-1978
Career w/Phillies: .303 AVG / 33 HR / 200 RBI / 20 SB
One of the game’s greatest fourth outfielders, Jay Johnstone spent four seasons with the Phillies. And in Philadelphia, he was a very solid hitter, posting his best numbers as he hit his prime. A journeyman by the time the Phils grabbed him, he quickly provided veteran leadership to a young outfield that included Greg Luzinski and Mike Anderson. He was also a great postseason hitter, putting up a ridiculous 7-for-9 in the 1976 National League Championship Series. He would later hit a pinch home run for the Dodgers in the 1981 World Series. Moreover, Johnstone was known for his pranking ways, and pranked Tommy Lasorda more than the Phanatic.
Comment: Steady and strong, Johnstone was instrumental in bringing a winning attitude to Philadelphia in the mid 1970s. While he never got the playing time a regular received, he was always very good at his job, and posted very good numbers as a fourth outfielder.
Posts: 0 Justin
Does anyone have an opinion about the Phillies going after the 2 cuban defects one was the best pitcher in Cuba, and was the best pitcher in the 06 WBC and the other is a speedy outfielder, both are touted as ML ready. I think the Phils should at least test the waters and see what they’re asking for and take a shot who knows what can happen with it.
Posted: 08:57 PM on January 11, 2009
Posts: 0 IRONPIGPEN
Good pick. Positive team player, Jay Johnstone
Posted: 09:12 PM on January 11, 2009
Posts: 0 TS
Here’s a Johnstone image on the Phillies if you’re interested:
http://www.beckett.com/images/pgitems/358620101.jpg
Posted: 09:32 PM on January 11, 2009
Posts: 0 KM
At first it alarmed me that the number 75 phillie of all time is in a cubs card in his picture, but then I noticed the picture and saw that it had to be done.
Posted: 11:17 PM on January 11, 2009
Posts: 0 Chapps
That picture is even better then the Billy Ripken F-face card.
Posted: 12:02 AM on January 12, 2009
Posts: 0 KeelerPi
Remember “Play Jay Everyday!!”
Posted: 12:12 AM on January 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Malcolm
I do.
Posted: 04:52 AM on January 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Jamie
Met him at the Legends Game down in Clearwater three years ago. Classy guy and was signing autographs for anyone who asked.
Posted: 10:50 AM on January 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Bloagie
Not sure how you could put Thome, Myers, and Mitch Williams higher than this guy
Posted: 03:23 PM on January 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Denise Molenock
Met him in the 70′s and have three autographs, I remember him sucking on suckers in the outfield. My brothers use to take me to the games when I was young. Still have his autographs from the 70′s. Wonder how much thier worth. Still love him to this day.
Posted: 11:12 PM on October 21, 2009
Posts: 0 Herb Ober
You gotta be shi**tting me? You have a platoon player ahead of the best rightfielder in Phillies history? Johnstone was never an everyday player.
Posted: 06:27 AM on May 16, 2010
Posts: 0 David
Johnstone was a big surprise for the Phillies and posted an OPS of .823 in his time with the Phillies. Yes, he was platooned but in five seasons with the Phillies, he had 1400 at bats. Unbelieveable in 1975 and a key player on the 1976 and 1977 division championship teams. .
Luzinski’s OPS was .850 with the Phillies. Callison’s was .795 in a pitcher’s era. Von Hayes had an OPS of .789 with the Phillies. Kruk had an OPS of .861. Daulton’s OPS was .789.
Posted: 12:05 AM on August 15, 2010