Kelly Johnson is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on February 22, 1982, in Austin, Texas, and attended Westwood High School in Austin. Johnson was a standout baseball player in high school and was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2000 MLB draft.
Johnson made his MLB debut with the Braves in 2005 and played for the team until 2009. During his time with the Braves, Johnson played primarily as a second baseman and outfielder. He was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. In 2007, Johnson had a breakout season, hitting .276 with 16 home runs and 68 RBIs.
After leaving the Braves, Johnson played for several different teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves (again). He continued to be a valuable utility player, playing multiple positions and providing solid offensive production.
Throughout his career, Johnson was known for his ability to hit left-handed pitching. He had a career batting average of .251 with 145 home runs and 546 RBIs. Johnson was also a solid defensive player, with a career fielding percentage of .985.
One of Johnson's most memorable moments came in 2011 when he hit a game-winning home run in the 11th inning of a game against the New York Yankees while playing for the Diamondbacks. The home run came off Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who is considered one of the greatest closers in MLB history.
Johnson retired from baseball in 2018 after playing for the Braves in the 2017 season. He finished his career with a .251 batting average, 145 home runs, and 546 RBIs. Johnson was known for his versatility, solid offensive production, and ability to hit left-handed pitching. He was a valuable player for every team he played for and will be remembered as a reliable utility player who could play multiple positions.
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