Born in Portland (Dec. 31, 1900 – Feb. 20, 1985), Sylvester “Syl” Johnson played his way into the professional ranks as a right-handed pitcher at age 19 and didn’t stop until age 46, a span that included 19 seasons in the Major Leagues.

Johnson started his pro career with the Vancouver, B.C. Beavers of the Pacific Coast International League, but transferred to the Portland Beavers late in the 1920 season. In 1921, he went 12-26 with a 3.82 ERA over 304 innings, and the Detroit Tigers traded five players and $30,000 for his contract and that of Herman Pillette, a St. Paul, Ore., native who played three seasons with the team.

Johnson played 1921 as a spot starter and went 7-3 with a 3.71 ERA. He played that role until 1929 when the St. Louis Cardinals, who traded for him in 1926, put him into their rotation and he finished 13-7. He went 12-10 in 1930 and 11-9 in ’31, helping the Cardinals to the World Series title that season.

The Cardinals traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1934 and he played seven seasons for them.
After being released by the Phillies, Johnson played five seasons with the Seattle Rainiers of the PCL and appeared in one game for the Vancouver, B.C., Capilanos of the Western International League. He retired in 1946.

In his Major League career, Johnson finished 112-117 with a 4.06 ERA in 542 appearances. He made 209 starts.
Johnson died in 1985. He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.