Former SF relief ace Jerry Johnson, 77

Jerry Johnson, the San Francisco Giants’ leading relief pitcher when they captured the National League West division title in 1971, died Monday of complications from Lewy body dementia and COPD. He was 77.

Johnson’s wife, Susan Trautmann Johnson, announced the right-hander’s death in a moving Facebook entry.

“Today, my sweet husband of 18 years went to be with the Lord,” she began. “… I am the luckiest woman alive. I had my very own Prince Charming! The life we lived together was nothing less than a miracle. Many people have said that we had a fairytale love.”

Johnson pitched for six different Major League teams in 10 seasons (1968–77). He also performed for Philadelphia, San Diego, St. Louis, Cleveland and Houston. The Giants obtained him from the Cardinals for right-hander Frank Linzy on May 19, 1970.

More than a decade would pass before the closer’s role was developed for top relievers who usually would be asked to pitch no more than one inning per outing. By contrast, the Giants frequently asked Johnson to work multiple innings. In 1971, for example, he worked 109 innings in 67 appearances.

The Giants relied heavily upon Johnson in high-leverage situations that year, as his 12–9 record and 18 saves in 23 opportunities indicated. For his contributions to the Giants’ success, Johnson was rewarded with a sixth-place finish in the NL Cy Young Award voting.

Johnson was a quintessential power pitcher. He had a high leg kick, which he employed to build momentum before driving his body — as well as fastball after fastball — toward home plate.

Johnson finished 8–6 with eight saves in 1972 for a woeful Giants club that went 69–86. The following March, Cleveland claimed Johnson off waivers.

Johnson enjoyed his best years by far with the Giants. He posted a record of 48–51 with 41 saves and an ERA of 4.31 in 365 career appearances (39 starts).