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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - You would think Steven Johnson had been called up to the Majors.
The 2005 St. Paul’s graduate was in extended spring training in Florida with the Dodgers when he got a surprise telephone call last month.
“I got a call Saturday morning. It was 7:30. I thought it was my mom,” said Johnson, the son of former Oriole pitcher Dave Johnson.
Johnson, 18, was told by the Dodgers to report to Double-A Jacksonville (Fla.), a farm team in the Southern League.
“I had 40 minutes to pack. I had to rush around the clubhouse. I was sweating bullets. I didn’t know what to do with my car. I was as confused as could be,” said Johnson, who was drafted in the 13th round by the Dodgers in 2005.
Johnson was called up to Jacksonville because of an injury to another pitcher. He took an airplane from Florida to Alabama, where he joined the team in Birmingham.
Johnson pitched in two games for Jacksonville and allowed no runs, two hits, two walks and had three strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work out of the bullpen.
Said Clair Rierson, a Maryland-based Dodgers scout that signed Johnson: “He knows how to pitch. He knows how to set hitters up.”
Johnson was then sent back to extended spring training in Florida after his appearances with Jacksonville. This past Monday, the right-handed pitcher was named to the roster of Ogden (Utah) in the rookie advanced Pioneer League. The regular-season lasts from June 20 to Sept. 7.
Last year, in his pro debut, Johnson was 0-2 with an ERA of 9.53 in six games (11 innings) for the Gulf Coast League Dodgers.
THE JOHNSON FILE
Position: Pitcher
Organization: Dodgers
Did you know? Johnson is 6-feet-1 and turns 19 on Aug. 31 ... Johnson turned down Boston College when he signed with the Dodgers ... His manager in Utah will be Lance Parrish, a former big leaguer ... Some of Johnson’s teammates while in Jacksonville included top prospects Greg Miller, a pitcher, third baseman Andy LaRoche and outfielder Matt Kemp, who was recently called up to the Dodgers.
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7:22 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 25, 2007 re: "'Wise beyond his years'"
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9:38 AM MST on Sun., Jul. 22, 2007
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mike johnson said:
As Steve's very proud uncle, let me correct the reporter's facts. Steven is indeed not a Brooklandville native. He grew up in Chase/Middle River then his family moved to Kingsville. Can't wait to see him pitch in the Yard one day!
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Examiner Reader said:
AND he plays for Toronto WHY? Come on Orioles check our our own back yard!
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