Floyd Johnson - 1929 pitcher

Floyd Johnson, a 22 year old pitcher with the Knoxville Smokies of the South Atlantic League, came and went in a relative flash.

His The Sporting News Player Contract Card shows the following:

He was picked up by the Springfield Ponies of the Eastern League, where he had a disapointing 0-1 record with the Massachusetts team.

Floyd Johnson arrived in Knoxville at the end of May, ready to join the Smokies.

And just two weeks later, he was sent back to the Giants' camp.

Such is the life of a minor league ball player.

OTD in Knoxville baseball history

104 years ago today... May 18th, 1922

The Appalachian League Johnson City Soldiers and the Knoxville Pioneers, managed by Frank Moffett, were rained out. Knoxville was sitting at 7-7 in the Appy League standings.

79 years ago today... May 18, 1947

The Knoxville Smokies, managed by Dale Alexander, took down the Tri-State League leaders, the Anderson Rebels, 8-7 at Smithson Stadium in Knoxville. The Smokies would finish the regular season in third place, 15-1/2 games behind the Spartanburg Peaches.

54 years ago today... May 18, 1972

The Knox Sox defeated the Charlotte Hornets, a farm team of the Minnesota Twins. Team batting leader, Russell (Bucky) Dent, went 2 for 5, batting in 2 runs and scoring 2, including a 375' homer over the scoreboard at Bill Meyer Stadium.

29 years ago today... May 18, 1997

The Blue Jays won the away game and the series from the Memphis Chicks, the then league leaders, 5-1. The Smokies would go on to live in the basement of the Southern League West at the end of the season.