1972 Profile: Johnny Callison

"If Johnny Callison isn't the first name that comes up when they talk about great throwing arms in the National League, it's only because there's a fellow named Roberto Clemente. After Roberto, you could get a basket full of votes for Callison, who led the National League in assists for four consecutive seasons.
And now Johnny Callison, taken from the Cubs on a conditional basis by the Yankees last January, is bringing that powerful arm back into the American League, where his big league career began in 1958 with the White Sox. Since then, his travels have taken him to the Phillies and the Cubs. But let's talk about hitting - Johnny has twice been a member of the 30 home run club, twice into the 100 RBI club and three times an All-Star. (Johnny won the 1964 All-Star Game at Shea Stadium with a ninth-inning homer.)
Having played over 100 games for 11 straight seasons, Johnny will not be content to be strictly a pinch-hitter or defensive replacement. Which is fine with all concerned, because if he can fight his way into the regular lineup, you'll know he's found the right-field seats at Yankee Stadium to his liking."

-The New York Yankees Official 1972 Yearbook

"Johnny Callison, a solid major league performer for 12 seasons, had an off year in 1971, hitting .210, 59 points below his lifetime average. Callison, who's averaged 18 homers a year, is a left-handed hitter with the ability to pull the ball and will take aim at Yankee Stadium's right-field seats.
He is an outstanding defensive outfielder, committing just three errors in 134 games in 1969. In 1968 he went errorless in all the 121 games he played. The possessor of a very strong and accurate throwing arm, Johnny holds the major league record for most consecutive seasons leading the league in assists among outfielders (1962 through '65).
Originally signed by the Chicago White Sox in 1957, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Gene Freese in December 1959 and went to the Cubs ten years later in November 1969 in exchange for pitcher Dick Selma and outfielder Oscar Gamble. A National League All-Star three times, Johnny has had four career grand slams and hit three round-trippers in a game on two separate occasions, September 27, 1964 and June 6, 1965. His home run in the bottom of the ninth won the 1964 All-Star Game at Shea Stadium for the National League."

-1972 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide

"Johnny Callison, who won his big league spurs as an outfield star and slugger with the Phillies and Cubs over the last dozen seasons, won a role on the Yankee roster with a fine spring performance. The southpaw hitter with the strong throwing arm figures to be a fine addition to the lefty-hitting brigade of the Yankees."

-1972 New York Yankees Scorecard and Official Program