Ron Johnson, Former Red Sox Coach And PawSox Manager, Dead At 64

Former Boston Red Sox first base coach and AAA manager Ron Johnson has reportedly died at the age of 64 from complications from COVID-19, his family confirmed to the Virginian-Pilot on Tuesday (January 26.)

Johnson spent 12 years working in the Red Sox organization, beginning in 2000 as a manager of the Class A Sarasota Red Sox. He was later promoted to manager of the Double-A Trenton Thunder in 2002 and later the Portland Sea Dogs when the organization switched Double-A affiliates in 2003.

Johnson, a former MLB first baseman, took over as the manager of the AAA affiliate Pawtucket Red Sox's manager in 2005, where he went 357-359 during five seasons before being promoted to Red Sox first base coach under Terry Francona in 2010, spending two seasons with the team.

“We were devastated to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague, Ron Johnson,” said Red Sox General Manager Brian O’Halloran via CBS Boston. “RJ was instrumental in helping countless Red Sox players reach and succeed in the big leagues, and was an important contributor to two World Series championships. His kindness, sense of humor, love of family, and passion for the game of baseball stood out among many wonderful qualities. We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to RJ’s wife, Daphne, his five children, and the many people inside and outside the game of baseball who loved him.”

Johnson's minor league managerial career also included stints with the Omaha Royals (1998), Omaha Golden Spikes (1999) and Norfolk Tides (2012-18), where he finished his career as the winningest manager in team history with 491 victories and earned Manager of the Year honors in 2015.

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