Johnny Callison (born March 12, 1939 in Qualls, Oklahoma is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Callison played for four teams between 1958 and 1973. He was signed by the Chicago White Sox out of high school in 1957, being assigned to Class-A Bakersfield where he hit .340 with 17 home runs and 31 stolen bases. The next season, he was advanced to Triple-A Indianapolis where he led the league in home runs. At the end of the season, he was recalled by Chicago.
The next season, Callison split time between Chicago and Indianapolis. He was not on the World Series roster when the White Sox lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over the winter, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Callison became a fan favorite in Philadelphia. Over the next decade, he would be named an All Star three times. In the 1964 All Star game, at Shea Stadium in New York, he hit a game winning walk off home run with a three run shot to right field. Dick Radatz was the pitcher. Also in 1964, Callison and Richie Allen led the Phillies to the brink of the World Series before a calamatous downfall in the last two weeks of the season.
After the 1969 season, Callison was traded to the Chicago Cubs. After two seasons, he finished his career with the New York Yankees. Since retirement, Callison has remained in Philadelphia where he makes frequent appearances and has several business ventures.
Callison was a career .264 hitter with 226 home runs, 840 RBI, 926 runs, 1757 hits, 351 doubles, 89 triples, and 74 stolen bases in 1866 games. He is also remembered for being an excellent outfielder with an above average throwing arm. His throwing accuracy helped him lead the National League in putouts for a rightfielder in 1963 and 1964.
