ERNIE JOHNSON SR. , who called Braves games from their arrival in Atlanta in '66 until '99, passed away Friday at the age fo 87 after a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure (Mult., 8/13). In Atlanta, Tim Tucker noted Johnson became an “Atlanta icon as a Braves broadcaster.” After playing in MLB from ’50-60, Johnson came to Atlanta in ‘65, one year before the Braves moved from Milwaukee, to “do advance public-relations work and set up a radio network.” Over the next three decades, he became “the voice of the Braves,” calling more than 4,000 games. Johnson worked “almost all games on radio or television through 1989 and a lighter load on TV for another decade after that.” He “retired for good after the 1999 season, at age 75.” Johnson in '01 was inducted into the Braves HOF. A visitation for Johnson will be held today at the Roswell Funeral Home, and the funeral service will be held tomorrow (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 8/14). In Vermont, Chris Garofolo notes Johnson was "inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame" last year. The Braves "held a moment of silence" for Johnson prior to Saturday's game against the Cubs, and the team "will wear a patch on their uniform for the remainder of the season in his memory" (BRATTLEBORO REFORMER, 8/15).
THE SOUNDS OF SUMMER: In Georgia, Bill Shanks writes Johnson "was Atlanta Braves baseball." Before every MLB game "was on TV, it was only the Braves who were on all over the country." Shanks: "And Johnson was the main voice viewers heard. He was a solid announcer who had great old stories. Sometimes you couldn't tell he was a former player, because he was such a good broadcaster." Just hearing Johnson's voice "made you know it was time for Atlanta Braves baseball" (MACON TELEGRAPH, 8/14).
