Buffalo baseball old-timer on Early Baseball Era Hall of Fame ballot

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (WHEC) — Grant Johnson, a Negro League legend who finished his career in Buffalo, is on the Early Baseball Era Hall of Fame ballot.

Also known as Grant "Home Run" Johnson for his powerful hitting, the Findlay, Ohio native made countless stops in his baseball career, which spanned from 1895 well into the 1900s. He played shortshop, second base, pitched and also managed. Johnson eventually ended up in Buffalo.

"Home Run" Johnson’s career in the Queen City was one of his longest tenures. According to the Negro Leagues Baseball eMuseum, He played and managed for the Pittsburgh Colored Stars of Buffalo in his mid-to-late 40s from 1916 to 1917 and again from 1919 to 1921. He then managed the Buffalo Giants in 1923 and continued to impact the game for another decade. Johnson passed away in Buffalo at the age of 90.

Candidates who get votes on at least 75% of the ballots will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 24, 2022. The results will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. on MLB Network.