| Elliot Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rays – No. 9 | |
| Second baseman | |
| Born: March 9, 1984 Safford, Arizona |
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| Bats: Switch | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| April 5, 2008 for the Tampa Bay Rays | |
| Career statistics (through June 29, 2011) |
|
| Batting average | .196 |
| Home runs | 3 |
| Runs batted in | 11 |
| Teams | |
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Elliot Tyler Johnson (born March 9, 1984, in Safford, Arizona) is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Johnson made the Tampa Bay Rays opening day roster for the 2008 season. On April 5, 2008, Johnson made his debut against the New York Yankees, as the teams designated hitter. He had four at bats and recorded his first major league hit, a single.
John Romano of The St. Petersburg Times wrote in March 2011 that he was likely one of three players competing for two spots on the Rays bench, with the other two being outfielder Sam Fuld and first baseman Casey Kotchman.[1] Johnson made the opening day roster, along with Fuld. On May 15th 2011, he hit his first major league home run against Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta. On August 12, 2011 he was one of 5 Rays to hit solo homeruns off CC Sabathia in a 5-1 Tampa Bay victory. [2]
On March 8, 2008, in a spring training game involving the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays at Steinbrenner Field (formerly Legends Field)[3] in Tampa, Florida, a ninth inning play at the plate involved Johnson, and Yankee Catching prospect Francisco Cervelli. With the Rays already leading the game, Johnson rounded third base as the Yankees threw the ball to home plate in an attempt to tag him out before scoring. Instead of sliding, Johnson decided to collide with Cervelli, in an attempt to knock the ball loose from Cervelli's glove, which caused Cervelli's wrist to fracture. Yankee manager Joe Girardi believed the play was "uncalled for" and said, "I'm all for playing hard, but I don't think it's the time when you run over a catcher in Spring Training." Rays manager Joe Maddon called the play "hardball," and that there was nothing at all dirty about the play.[4]
Former Yankee bench coach, and current Rays' Senior Advisor Don Zimmer disagreed with Girardi's comments, saying
I am surprised the way Girardi said what he did. The plate was blocked, and our guy bowled him over. That's the way to play the game. I mean, I'm talking about a guy who is like a son to me. But I can't believe he went after it the way he did, because that's not Joe Girardi – and being a catcher on top of that.[5]
Johnson spoke on the incident saying that he never intended to hurt Cervelli, and that if he was safe on the play, and no one was injured, then it was no big deal.
Johnson has 4 brothers three of which got drafted but then dropped. Leon Johnson, who played for the AZL Cubs as a pitcher and outfielder in 2007 and 2008.Cedric Johnson who is going to play for Dixie State this fall. And Lucas Johnson who is a teacher and baseball coach for their home town. They also have one sister. Johnson proposed to his wife standing between the mound and home plate. They reside in Montgomery with their son Blake.[1][2]