Charles Johnson

Charles Johnson was a catcher who played baseball in college at the University of Miami. He was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the first round of the 1992 MLB Draft, and made it to the majors in 1994 with the Marlins. Johnson became known as one of the top defensive catchers in the Major Leagues. He won a Gold Glove in his first full rookie season, 1995, becoming only the fourth catcher to win that award as a rookie, after Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk, and Sandy Alomar, Jr.

Johnson played in the Major Leagues through 2005, staying with the Marlins through 1998, and then playing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Baltimore Orioles, the Chicago White Sox, returning to the Marlins in 2001-02, then two years with the Colorado Rockies, before finishing his career with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2005. In 1997 Johnson helped the Marlins win the World Series.

Johnson’s career batting average was .245, and he had 167 career home runs and 570 RBI. Johnson eventually won four consecutive Gold Glove Awards (1995-98) behind the plate, and was chosen for the All-Star Game in 1997 and 2001. His career fielding percentage of .993 ranks him 16th all-time among major league catchers. He is a member of the Portland Sea Dogs Hall of Fame, having played with them in the minors before being called up by the Marlins.