Ron Johnson, the winningest manager in Norfolk Tides history, has died due to complications from COVID-19. Johnson was 64 years old.
A former major league first baseman, Ron Johnson was first hired by the Tides in 2012. From 2012-2018, Johnson won 491 games in Norfolk, with a plethora of colorful ejections in between. Famous for throwing his hat into the stands after being ejected, many could say he was the modern day minor league version of Earl Weaver.
In 2015, Johnson won the International Minor League Manager of the Year Award. Along with that award, Johnson was also selected for the Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award in 2018, shortly before his release.
It is sad day in the Orioles organization, as Johnson was a monumental part in turning the early 2010s Orioles into winners. Johnson personally worked with a few big names of those Oriole teams.
Our condolences go out to the entire Johnson family, including his son and former Oriole Chris Johnson, during this trying time.
