Legendary athlete and Hall of Famer remembered

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Len “Lefty” Johnston, a respected member of the Western community and an inductee to the WMU Athletics Hall of Fame, died Dec. 15, 2024, at the age of 96.

A native of Saginaw, Michigan, Johnston starred for both the football team from 1949-51 and the baseball team from 1950-52. As a standout football player, he set a then-school
record with nine touchdown catches in 1951. In baseball, he contributed to WMU’s dominance, helping the team secure four-straight MAC championships and their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1952.

Johnston’s baseball skills earned him All-MAC honors in 1952. Over 66 career games, he maintained a .318 batting average, setting school records in runs scored with 82, steals at 32 and on-base percentage with .436. His achievements remain a significant part of WMU’s athletic history, and he was inducted into the WMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.

After leaving WMU, Johnston embarked on a successful minor league baseball career spanning 15 seasons, including 12 at the Triple-A level with the farm clubs for the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. After retirement, Johnston dedicated his life to professional baseball, taking on roles such as scout, regional scouting supervisor, minor league manager and coach. He was an integral part of the Baltimore Orioles’ organization from 1977 onward, ultimately serving as a minor league training camp coordinator.

“Lefty was a true treasure to me and the entire Western Michigan family,” Kathy Beauregard, former WMU director of athletics, said. “As an athlete, teacher, coach, father, grandfather and friend, he inspired countless lives through his unwavering passion for baseball and his ability to teach life lessons through the game. 

“WMU proudly honored his legacy by naming the Broncos’ home dugout after him—a fitting tribute to a man who shaped generations of players and coaches. Even well into his 80s, Lefty continued to coach with wisdom, heart and a love for the game. He will forever be our Bronco for life, and his spirit will always live on at Hyames Field.” ■