He Almost Won the Cy Young. Then His Career Ended Before He Was 30.

Josh Johnson's career is one of the biggest "what if's" in baseball history. From an ERA title at age 26 to a third Tommy John surgery at age 30, injuries prevented what could have been a dominant career.
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Music (in order):
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• Soleanna New City - So...
• [Success] Exhibition M...
• Steam Gardens - Super ...
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Sources:
Josh Johnson Contract Extension: www.fishstripes.com/2021/1/14...
2010 Season-Ending Back Injury: www.palmbeachpost.com/story/s...
2011 Shoulder Inflammation Explanation: www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/jo...
#mlb #marlins #padres

[@motionpicturesam]

I believe he was the opposing pitcher in Roy Hallidays perfect game. And he pitched really well that game too.

[@Acodela130]

He was. I was there. He threw 7 innings and allowed just 1 unearned run on an error by Cameron Maybin in CF. He was matching him 0-0. Without that error, who knows if Doc gets the perfect game? Game ended 1-0.

[@sendAJtospace]

@@Acodela130 I was there too. First game I ever attended But since I was a child, I was livid lol

[@tommyfu9271]

I wish I was at that game!

[@dominicS1776]

My most favorite game I’ve ever watched live, always gonna remember that

[@machenga]

Everyone hates fantasy sports talk about years past but I can’t help myself with your comment. I got into fantasy sports in 2010. Since then mostly fantasy football but also played 2020, helped me with the boredom of the pandemic shutdowns. But in 2010 I played fantasy sports (baseball) for the first time. Didn’t know what I was doing and got crushed. But that week I started Halliday for his perfect game and Johnson against him. Set the league record for a week’s worth of points that season and got a $100 payout for that. Halliday and Johnson were absolute beasts in 2010

[@PpP-dr1od]

Waited to hear you mention the Roy Halladay perfect game but it never came. In 2010, Josh Johnson faced Halladay in Miami, and though he went 7 innings only allowing an unearned run, Johnson got the loss because Halladay was perfect. 2 weeks later, the pair faced eachother in Philly, and though Halladay went 8 and only gave up 1 run in the first inning, he got the loss because Johnson went 8 scoreless innings only allowing 3 hits. Every time I think of the perfect game, I think of Johnson and their rematch too.

[@rjpd_2001]

Another player in a similar position to Josh Johnson as a bonafide ace who retired early was Brandon Webb. He was incredible through 2008, and in 2009 he pitched one game and never played in the MLB again. He threw 1315 innings in his 6 productive MLB seasons with an 87-64 record, an ERA below 3.30 and a WHIP below 1.25, and 1063 strikeouts.

[@updownbrodown215]

I've still never seen a better sinker than Brandon Webb's. That shit was like a curve ball.

[@MXPX619]

I am blown away by this comment. Was thinking the exact same thing.

[@elibehar2770]

Awesome vid Jolly! Josh Johnson is one of those guys you had to be there to remember. He was peaking just as I was beginning to become a massive Marlins fan, so even if his peak was short, I'm thankful for all the memories of those teams with him, Hanley Ramirez, and Dan Uggla, even if they weren't always the most successful

[@antonioreconquistador]

I remember the insane offseason turnarounds they tried to pull in 2011 and 2012 when things were really turning South. Great pitcher and it sucks to see him go the way of Addie Joss, Sandy Koufax, Brandon Webb, and JF.

[@owenjohnson469]

That’s one thing I love about sports. Every franchise has those players that maybe not everyone remembers but will always be awesome to the fan bases they played for. (Also Uggla was mad underrated)

[@johnvaughan8239]

Dude, literally everyone and everything that has ever happened, you had to be there to remember. That is the definition of remembering. You can’t remember something that you weren’t there for or never saw in the first place.

[@chrismartin500]

Man the Marlins have to bring those uniforms back. So dope

[@McGuappo]

They had them last season but looks like they moved away from them again 😢

[@Lorrddyyy]

I saw him a lot as a Mets fan he was a beast in his prime. I loved those Marlins teams they had so much talent and then just exploded

[@rngfootball759]

Josh Johnson was so underrated. If Marlins have any resemblance of patience they would have a rotation of him Evoldi and Jose Fernandez in the mid 2010s.

[@anthonydevecchis9185]

I remember being in Vegas when Josh Johnson went head to head with Cliff Lee and the over/under was something like 7.5. The under felt like such easy money and it was. He was so good.

[@sendAJtospace]

I believe I speak for all Marlins fans when I say thank you for this.

[@sluggernott641]

As a Mets fan, I remember Johnson well. He was a horse on the mound. He was a huge problem. It's so unfortunate he career ended so early.

[@jacksonmcmahon4147]

As a diehard Marlins fan born in 2005, he was one of the first ace pitchers I remember watching. He was incredible when healthy. It was really sad when he retired early.

[@DanielBenavides-do4bk]

I did not there was a diehard marlins fan

[@sendAJtospace]

@@DanielBenavides-do4bk Some of us grew up here, y’know Watching guys all the way from Johnson, Nolasco, and Anibal to Jorge Cantú and Chris Volstad lol

[@DanielBenavides-do4bk]

@@sendAJtospace i remember when volstad fought morgan and i have a bat of jorge cantu

[@SipRodgers]

This is why I love baseball, it’s unlike any other sport. In most sports the best player/team wins 80% of the time, but in baseball anything can happen (sort of). Guys can just find their groove for a season or two, some obviously dominate for many years but the roller coaster that comes with baseball is insane.

[@Rookie_Mode2023]

It's the greatest sport in the world because it's so cruel. The most dominant players in the game can inexplicably lose it and never find it again in the middle of their prime.

[@SipRodgers]

@@Rookie_Mode2023 so true, Immediately I think about Trea Turner and his resurgence last season. The way the fans rallied behind him was awesome, hope he has a good 2024

[@Deadmanwolfpac93]

That 06-09 era of the Marlins was so good but unfortunately could never get past the hump of being a playoff team.

[@Bajirkus]

Tim Lincecum also wore #55. Brandon Webb started his career in #55. Apparently, after Kevin Appier retired in 2004, the number became imbued with a sort of dark power to grant pitching prowess, but only for a brief window.

[@clutchsometimes2868]

Cole Ragans wearing #55 for the Royals, was wearing #50 in Texas. The dark magic appears to live on

[@ethanbradley2089]

Brandon Webb? There's a name. He was so dominant during his peak. I expected him to have the career that Kershaw has had.

[@CDanielson187]

Kenny Powers wore #55

[@rappcu]

Orel Herschiser too

[@bryanoconnor435]

Platinum OST is one of my alltime favorites- not even a baseball comment just 🔥 taste

[@rjpd_2001]

It’s insane that guys from the 2002 draft are still in the MLB today. Charlie Morton is the only one listed currently signed, and Joey Votto is also. Rich Hill and Zach Greinke will likely find a spot soon as well.

[@kochspostulates6149]

I remember when Johnson left the game with shoulder inflammation. There was over an hour rain delay and they put him back in and I remember thinking to myself they’re just asking for him to get hurt.

[@josephmoore7926]

joe giraldi ruined him

[@carlpacquing2575]

I completely forgot about Josh Johnson, and had no idea he was that good!

[@XyahMadBroX218]

He was my favorite pitcher to watch, so sad that his career ended so early

[@astrostar49]

I come for the stories. I stay for the piano outro music at the end. Thanks again for another remarkable spotlight.

[@Gravy_Jones22]

@jollyolive can we get a Julio Franco video? The man defied logic.

[@Medi115-]

You know Pokémon back ground music was not what i was expecting out of a jolly video

[@lgel725]

Best video yet. No mistakes, very clean and precise. Keep it up man and lfgm.

[@nathanrojas7725]

Phenomenal video! Wow, what an early career that was definitely stopped before it even had a chance to start! Even I forgot about Josh Johnson

[@dominicS1776]

That’s amazing you did a video on him so funny I was looking for one like a week ago and couldn’t find one, but you come in clutch with these throwback players people always forget

[@brownie1886]

I need more comps like Ozzie Albies holding a “5 dollar foot long”

[@donwhiteley3293]

Josh Johnson was an absolute beast but he just couldn't stay healthy. It's hard to believe he really only had 4 (mostly) healthy seasons and was great in 3 of them. I used to love watching him pitch.

[@Videogamelover58]

Great video. Love the music at the start of the video

[@rslitman]

Johnson probably had one of the two best opposing games to a perfect game, with that start in Roy Halladay's. The other one was Bob Hendley against Sandy Koufax in 1965.

[@ADRgman]

3:03 and his name is Dan Uggla

[@parkercrossland410]

*Plays John Cena theme*

[@rappcu]

Iykyk #richwaltz

[@Buggy99]

I’m sure someone has pointed this out but I really enjoy your music choices for your vids

[@ericpayton6659]

Man I forgot about Josh Johnson!! If you saw he was pitching against your team, you knew it was gonna be hell to win that game.

[@intellectualmind9512]

Yes!!!! As a Marlins fan this was my hero! He should have won the Cy Young.

[@ohsoedgy6888]

A Josh Johnson video? I dig!

[@pwrinnmbrs]

Ubaldo should have won the award in 2010. No one has come close in 30 years to a dominant season like that where half of your starts are at Coors.

[@dustinhealy1676]

Would agree. But he got rocked the second half of the year. Went from 15-1 to 19-8. His era went from 1.80 to 2.90.

[@KalvinSingh]

I remembered that trade with the marlins. As a jays fan, that trade was massive at the time but years later, it was such a disappointment. Only player that performed well in that deal was Mark Buehrle.

[@Cheesefist]

Thanks for the Immaculate Grid answer!

[@Unknown_unknown19]

Red sox fan but grew up in soflo he was the true reason the marlins are my second team watching these teams in the old stadium was elite (even tho not that great of actual team play)

[@fbistatmajor5918]

You have by far the best music choice of any sports KZbinr I've watched

[@SteveSpekk]

Deep cut! His nephew was best friends w my lil brother and his parents were both like 6’6 lol

[@Thefletchfactor]

Probably the best pitcher no one’s ever heard of. He was so incredibly dominant.

[@jakeybball]

“Not much success has come from their prowess” he said after showing clips of D Train and Beckett who both won rings lol

[@mattd3245]

A video about Josh Johnson lets gooooooo

[@coilshredder]

Despite how woeful (and young) the Marlins have been as a franchise, we still have as many World Series Rings as the Atlanta Braves

[@alexraissis2157]

I loved watching him at Hard Rock as a kid. Had amazing stuff

[@JabroniBaseball]

My dude went heavy with the Pokémon OSTs in this one 😂

[@ryangale3757]

I always distinctly remember Josh Johnson's 2011 season due to him being lined up to start in the next series against my Rays, but the injury ending his season before he could. Didn't think it was a serious injury at the time, so was happy to avoid him and his dominance, but in hindsight, damn, that was the beginning of the end of him, which was a real shame.

[@kangaroodude34]

What a great dive into a pitcher a lot of people forget about. He was completely dominant for a short burst, reminds me of brandon webb in a way

[@andrewclarke7623]

That's a great comparison. I would put Johnson slightly above Webb but similar careers.

[@kraftsdodvc]

Great video Jolly. One thing though, Johnson was born and Raised in Minnesota, so despite the need for a winter coat a beanie, he’s not Canadian lol.

[@danielparr128]

I was at the opening day game in 2011 vs the Mets. Really wanted to see that no hitter but still a hell of a game by JJ. I also remember the marlins hitting a grand slam that game and “Dolphins Stadium” goin nuts! 😂

[@Based_Proletariat]

What could have been, Josh Johnson and then Jose Fernandez.

[@aarontully17]

Jolly back with the Diamond and Pearl music

[@ChristianDanielMunoz]

Big fan of this kid

[@TheWriterSITB]

Jays fan here. Marlins definitely sent us Johnson as their damaged goods here.

[@blueskittles5449]

what editing software do you use?

[@mattlaroche907]

Couldn't tell you why but Josh Johnson was always one of my favorites lol

[@uncletasty9721]

He and Brandon Webb were so fun to watch and I'm so bummed they never got to pitch full careers.

[@dylanmartinez8430]

I’m pretty sure I was at that exact game jays vs Astros when I was 8.

[@roybledsoe24]

Those three years he was so crazy good. I swear he was a problem for my Braves.

[@igopoker]

Was not expecting the lake music from pokemon but oddly fits really well

[@DeadOmega]

Another Jolly banger

[@dergin38467]

Damn I forgot about Josh Johnson

[@rockbeatspaper1]

“Ozzie Albies holding a foot long.” Fuck you Jolly that’s genius.

[@MrBendylaw]

Not really. Albies holds a foot-long multiple times every day. Ba-dum-tsss!

[@Iconfuseu2000]

Being one of the few marlins fans and being young at that time I was a hugeeee josh johnson fan. I’m so sad his career didnt go as well as it couldve. Typical miami….

[@UnderdawgMLB]

Random story but I went to spring training in Arizona in 2016 and I started playing catch with these kids and like halfway through they told me they were actually Josh Johnson’s kids

[@chreeess]

Lmao the non-dmca Pokémon lofi in the beginning 😂

[@Asshat237]

Oh God. I remember how dominant he was at his best in 2009 and 10. In 2009, they treated him like a guy who had a history of arm problems consistently keeping him under 100 pitches. Although, they did needlessly give him two starts after they were eliminated from wild card contention bringing him over 200 innings. 2010 was a different story. He averaged 107 pitches per start for a team that had no shot at the playoffs. Just silly, pointless stuff like leaving him in to throw a 117 pitch complete game when they won 10-1. Over 100 pitches in 19 of his 28 starts including 16 of his last 18 starts of the season. He was only 26, but would only starts 56 more games in his career. I would have liked to have seen what was possible if he was kept to a consistent average of 85-90 per start and never above 100. Things may not have ended up vastly different, but it is possible.

[@brendanables7367]

2:16 Not the last time Sergio Mitre and “horrendous” would be used together in the same sentence

[@coledavismusic]

was waiting for someone to say this

[@jacksonmcmahon4147]

8:04. As a Marlins fan, yes, you are correct. Now that I know they did that, I’m offended haha

[@burnlastsunday]

Rich Hill also had the coolest nickname ever

[@Sam.Cannon116]

The pokemon music in the background 🔥

[@RobWong-ws4fs]

@5:49 "hulking Canadian"? Johnson's dad grew up in Canada, but Josh is from Minnesota.

[@w1ntertide]

Liked for the MLB power pros music 😌

[@jacksonmcgavin8512]

Awesome video, respect for making it. Josh is my uncle so always love when people recognize his dominance

[@donovanphillips1690]

Can you do a video about Mark Fidrych? Won a Cy young as a 21 year old rookie and then appeared in just 27 games and was out of the league at age 25

[@enriquebaseballer469]

Strikeout at 5:50 is crazy 😂😂

[@BombOmbBuddy]

Shoutout to the MLB Power Pros music selection. Never misses 😤😤😤

[@SoftBank47]

Miss those back and teal Marlins jerseys.

[@the-phanatic-99]

Josh Johnson was one of the guys who if you were there you remembered him. But if not he is just a random name. super sad but true fans remember his dominance

[@DigiRangerScott]

That’s a name I haven’t heard in a loooong time (which is weird for how relatively common it could be)

[@user-sr1xe5wk8h]

Today I learned that Josh Willingham began his career with the Marlins! I also realized that a good modern comp to Johnson is Tyler Glasnow, another tall starter with a nasty pitching repertoire and an even nastier injury history

[@BaseballHistorian]

To this day, Josh Johnson is the first pitcher I think of when I see those teal Fish jerseys.

[@ChairmanMeow1]

He always reminded me so much of Kerry Wood

[@UnHolyWible]

I forgot about this guy

[@thomnelligan247]

I'm assuming it took all self control not to mention when he was in the Blue Jays rotation of Dickey, Wang and himself (Johnson).

[@anthonylombardo1261]

White jerseys with pin stripes are a pitchers best friend, however they’ll never know if they have the advantage or not depending on how their motion hides the ball, only the batter can tell that.

[@jwheatthins2465]

*jolly olive saying "johnson" for 12 straight minutes*

[@bingboone9474]

Josh Johnson is not Canadian fyi @5:50

[@YellowLegoSpaceman]

Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco were so good for those sad Marlins squads

[@chrisjhon5957]

I’ve said this for years to anyone that wouldn’t laugh at me. As a Marlins fan I remember there was a time where he flirted with multiple no hitters for like back to back to back outings. He was great! But yes his career was so short.

[@thomascrowley9122]

Totally forget about him. He one of the best for a stretch.

[@jacobbass6030]

Atlanta Braves legend Fredi Gonzalez mentioned

[@Kdawg1287]

Have his jersey. He’d go deep with no hitters/perfects with ease. He was the only good reason to attend games for a while. Guy was a tower on the mound and pushed good hitters off the plate.

[@anchorsaway1062]

I went to Miami and watched him duel Roger Clemens on a Saturday night. He made the Yankees look silly. It was 1-0 Marlins

[@rodneylentz7222]

I agree for the most part of what you said, but I think it shouldn’t be banned. I think it should be legal in all 50 states and it should be removed from public advertisements like tobacco and cigarettes. That way people still can make the decision on their own and it’s not being shoved down your throat

[@michealconnell7499]

Used to dread seeing this dude face my Braves. I thought he was going to be a right handed Randy Johnson

[@tatstheasfan5754]

I just knew it was Josh Johnson by the title😅

[@DocEsquire]

PLEASE do a video on MLB Power Pros.

[@SconnerStudios]

Even though you made it clear it was Josh Johnson in the thumbnail, this could apply to probably a dozen pitchers in the last 10-15 years. That's what's wrong with this generation of owners. They go through pitchers with no consideration for their long-term health whatsoever. I'd sure like to get some of these guys' autographs somewhere down the road, and it would be nice if they could be able to lift their arm and sign with their hand by themselves.

[@Maxturnbull24]

He was a flame thrower definitely had great stuff