Dan Johnson, who delivered two of the most memorable home runs in Tampa Bay Rays history, is back with the franchise, only this time trying to make it as a pitcher.
Johnson will be signing a minor-league contract Saturday with the Rays to pitch. He says he has thrown a knuckleball his whole life and even threw some bullpens with the Yankees’ organization in 2013. He apparently had offers from other teams but decided to hold out because of the Rays’ interest in him as a pitcher.
Dan Johnson, on signing with #Rays as a knuckleball pitcher: "This is something I really wanted to try out." pic.twitter.com/y7NlOWfXsm
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 5, 2016
More from #Rays DJ on pitching: "It’s not the 1st time I’ve tried this out but this is the 1st time I feel like I can take it seriously"
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 5, 2016
The Rays seem to be a good spot for a blossoming knuckleballer. They hired former knuckleballer Charlie Haeger as their pitching coordinator this offseason. He’s already working with another pitcher to develop a knuckleball.
Johnson is a career .234 hitter with 57 home runs. He hasn’t cracked 100 MLB at-bats in a season since 2010, so he probably recognized he needed to make a change to have a shot as a consistent big leaguer.
Johnson being back in camp will bring back good memories for Rays fans.
