Bart Johnson, a first-round White Sox draft pick in 1968 who pitched for the organization his entire career from 1969 to 1977, died Wednesday. He was 70.
Johnson was a Sox scout from 1980-97 and also scouted for the Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals.
Johnson, a hard-throwing right-hander, made his major league debut at age 19, appearing in four games (three starts) in September of 1969 and posting a 3.22 ERA. He led the 1971 Sox with 14 saves while making 16 starts and posting 12 wins while recording a 2.93 ERA with 153 strikeouts. In September of that season, Johnson had back to back games with 12 strikeouts.
He was limited to nine appearances, all in relief, in 1972 because of knee problems and missed the 1975 season with a back injury.
Johnson made 97 starts in his career and posted a 43-51 record and 3.94 ERA.
