Tune into Connected Thursday for Barry Davis’ exclusive sit-down interview with new Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Josh Johnson.
The interview was conducted last week at Johnson’s home in Henderson, NV, 20 minutes outside of Las Vegas.
During the lengthy and wide-ranging interview, some of which you can watch above, Johnson shares how he learned of the 12-player blockbuster with the Marlins; what it was like playing for Ozzie Guillen in Miami; whether he’d like to sign a long-term deal with the Blue Jays and who he thinks is the ace of the Toronto staff.
Here’s an interesting Josh Johnson fact. His dad was born in Calgary and Josh is a huge hockey fan. #bluejays
— Barry Davis (@SNBarryDavis) December 6, 2012
Here’s a synopsis of some of what Johnson told Davis…
ON WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO PLAY FOR OZZIE GUILLEN:
“I loved playing for Ozzie. I think my kids loved him more than anything. Almost every single game they’d be in (the clubhouse) and (Ozzie) would be giving them candy. He kept it light for how bad we played. I would have expected a lot worse from all the things you’ve heard, he blows up, does this, does that. For the most part, people liked him with the Marlins.”
ON HOW IT FEELS TO BE A BLUE JAY:
“I’ve been with the Marlins since 2002 when they drafted me so it’s been a long, long time. It’s definitely weird, but I like that colour blue. I’m excited to play in a new environment, something besides Miami.”
ON THE POSSIBILITY OF SIGNING LONG-TERM IN TORONTO:
“I’m open to anything. I’m a very open-minded person; I don’t close any doors but that’s the last thing on my mind — where I’m going to play next year.”
ON THE HEALTH OF HIS MUCH-TALKED ABOUT SHOULDER:
“It feels great. Last year, not one problem with the shoulder, not even a weird tightness which you usually get during the season.”
ON BRETT LAWRIE:
“I think Lawrie is way underrated. He’s a good player. We had one series against them last year. I threw a couple of good pitches to him and he stayed on them and hit a couple of balls to centre-field. Good thing it was in Miami and not Toronto.”
ON WHO HE SEES AS THE ACE OF THE TORONTO STAFF:
“I think Morrow. I don’t know much about him, but I’ve seen him pitch a couple of times and he is nasty. Absolutely nasty. He definitely has the makings.”
Here you go #bluejays fans. Josh Johnson’s 1st picture in a #jays swag. Says he can’t wait for opening day. lockerz.com/s/266917392
— Barry Davis (@SNBarryDavis) December 6, 2012