Emotional afternoon for Dave Johnson
So what must it be like to hear your son may be traded to the Orioles while you are on the air on the Orioles radio network?
That's the afternoon Dave Johnson had as he was working today's postgame show with Tom Davis when reports began to surface that his son, pitching currently for the Dodgers Double-A team, may be headed to the O's organization.
I should mention that as Dave agreed to be interviewed the trade was still not official, but he heard from Steve that he was told not to dress for tonight's game.
"We knew something was going to happen because of the trade deadline. I was checking the websites at 3 and 4 in the morning and didn't get much sleep. I haven't seen Steve's name in any reports," Dave Johnson said.
"I was talking to Roy Firestone who is a big O's fan. He called me last night and said he had heard Steve mentioned in some reports. If everything looks like it is, he will soon get his Oriole career started.
"I was talking with Tom and I was crying. It's kind of like the day he got drafted. This legitimizes all he has worked for. I got a chance to live it. I kind of know what he may get an opportunity to do. I'm sitting here today because I got a chance to pitch for the Orioles.
"This is a great day for me and my family. Steve is getting all kinds of text messages and phone calls from his friends as well as I am as we await official confirmation.
"I would assume they didn't just trade for him because he looks good in a uniform or because he is my son. The Orioles have some local guys. They've got Brandon Erbe and Chorye Spoone and Steve. Maybe one of those guys if not all of them pitch out here at Camden Yards one day and get the same chance I got."
Dave talked about why Steve Johnson was not drafted by the Orioles out of high school.
"I talked to Joe Jordan about this recently. Joe said something like 'we kind of messed up there' (in not drafting Johnson). It was Joe's first year as scouting director. It was Steven's senior year and he got a bad staph infection. He lost 15 pounds and he went from 90-92 when he pitched against Brandon Erbe on opening day to losing 5-6 miles per hour off his fastball. That scared some teams off. When you are a first year scouting director do you take a chance on that kid?
"The Dodgers had seen Steven the previous summer. John Barr, the East Coast crosschecker saw Steven the previous summer when he was at his best. They knew about the infection and it was not a concern for them. Even though they took him in the 13th round we were able to get the fifth-round package we wanted.
"Even though the O's didn't take him I understood because of that health situation. But it legitimizes him because someone else drafted him. He wasn't taken just because he's Dave's son. He earned everything he got.
"I hope the O's send to him Bowie since he was just promoted to Double-A by the Dodgers."
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
this is a great story.
Side note: I am steve's age and faced him in 2002 in like 8th grade. He was sensational that day and threw a one hitter.....I GOT THE LINER UP THE MIDDLE!!!! lol great story though. Congrats to steve and his fam
Steve,
I too was teary when Dave and Tom were talking about Steve.
Tell him that we all here are pulling for a good and long career for Steve.
I hope he has half the grit and guts his dad has.
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As someone who has gotten to know Dave and work with him on the radio the last two years, I am real excited for Dave and his family. I have talked with him a lot about Steve and he is and should be one proud dad. Sounds to me like the O's added a good one today and another Baltimore kid at that.
Steve
Roch,
I'm sure you're getting hit with lots of similar questions, and I know you'll let us know what you know when you know, but with now Sherrill gone, are there any indications that the O's are done dealing? I've heard the rumors for Hendrickson et al. Just wondering what you think. Thanks!
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This is Steve. This came to my blog. I'll just say always keep it here at Masnsports.com. Whatever news we have will be reported as soon as we get it confirmed. - Steve
Sorry about the mixed-up comment! I had both blogs open and posted to the wrong one. While I have your attention, thanks for the early breakdown on who we (may) be receiving! I really value your insight!
Any chance of seeing some video of this? I am getting goosebumps just hearing the story.
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It was on radio, not TV. - Steve
So any chance of getting a recording of the radio posted? I guess there was no tape of it? I listened to post game for a while, but must have just missed it.
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Got to look into that. - Steve
i know a lot of other o's fans who wanna hear the audio of that moment too. it was truly special. please let us know if it gets put up online somewhere
CONGRATULATIONS to Dave and Steve!!!
I played with Dave for a few years; as a catcher. He was a real PITCHER. I know you will be the same, and also excel. I too was/ am tearing up; as a father and a baseball man.
I can't wait, Rick Straub