As a player: Brief MLB career

When in high school, Johnson turned down football scholarships to UCLA and Fresno State to instead play baseball. Johnson was originally drafted by the California Angels in the 13th round of the 1976 June amateur draft, but did not sign. The Fresno State graduate was a first-team All-American selection in 1978 before being drafted by Kansas City in the 24th round, the 595th overall pick. He made his major league debut with the Royals on September 12, 1982. On December 15, 1983, he was traded by Royals to the Expos for Tom Dixon. Shortly after his playing days ended, he became a coach in the Royals' minor league system for six years.

Longtime manager in minors

Johnson made his managerial debut with the Baseball City Royals (Class A) of the Florida State League in 1992. In 1995, he won Texas League Manager of the Year honors after guiding the Wichita Wranglers (Double-A) to the playoffs. In 1998, he reached Triple-A as manager of the Omaha Royals, and in 1999 he led that club to a first-place finish in the Pacific Coast League. Johnson posted six winning seasons in his eight years managing in the Royals' organization.

Johnson joined the Boston Red Sox organization in 2000 as manager of the Sarasota Red Sox (Class A) of the Florida State League. In 2002, Johnson was promoted to Double-A as manager of the Trenton Thunder of the Eastern League. When the Red Sox switched Double-A affiliations to the Portland Sea Dogs in 2003, he moved with them and was manager of the Sea Dogs for the next two seasons. His 2003 club went 72-70 and missed the Eastern League playoffs by just a game and a half. In 2004, Johnson once again had Portland near .500 for much of the year before finishing at 69-73 and in a tie for 4th-place in the Eastern League Northern Division. From 2005 to 2009, Johnson served as manager for the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox.

On November 23, 2009, Johnson was appointed the new first base coach for the Major League Red Sox. He held the post for two seasons, but on October 5, 2011, it was announced that Johnson was dismissed from the Red Sox staff following the departure of Terry Francona. He was then appointed manager of the Tides, and led them to back-to-back winning seasons in 2012-13.

His managerial record through 2015 is 1,555-1,544 (.502) over 22 seasons.

Personal life

Johnson and his wife Daphne have five children.

His son Chris was drafted in the 37th round by the Red Sox in June 2003 but instead opted for college; and was later drafted by the Houston Astros. Currently a member of the Miami Marlins, Chris Johnson enjoyed a breakout season in 2013 as an Atlanta Brave, finishing second in the National League batting race at .321. He led the Braves in doubles (34) and finished second on the club in hits (165).

Ron Johnson was forced to take an emergency leave from his coaching duties with the Red Sox on August 1, 2010, after his youngest daughter was seriously injured in an equestrian accident. He missed the rest of the season but was able to return to the Red Sox at the outset of spring training in 2011.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]