Ex-foes Fernandez, Johnson happily unite
JUPITER — In an era when players change teams often, it is wise to not cast grudges in granite.
It has become common for adversaries to find themselves suddenly aligned as allies.
Such is the case with Chris Johnson stationed a few lockers away from Jose Fernandez in the Miami Marlins’ clubhouse this spring. They now share a laugh about the memorable dust-up that was the parting shot of Fernandez’s rookie-of-the-year season.
Johnson was among the Braves who clashed with Fernandez during a Sept.11, 2013 game at Marlins Park. Several innings of verbal sniping escalated to a near brawl after the Marlins pitcher, then 21, hit his first major league home run and took his time admiring it.
Johnson, who signed with the Marlins for a back-up role at first and third base this season, said he and Fernandez patched up their differences long before he joined the team.
“I talked to him last year, and he was great. As soon as he saw me he came up to me, gave me a hug, said ‘welcome.’ As far as I’m concerned that was a long time ago,” Johnson said. “You’re going against another team, you’re not supposed to like the other team. But once you become teammates it’s some sort of bond that’s between you guys and now we’re fighting together.”
In that 2013 fracas, the two exchanged fighting words the inning prior to the benches-clearing incident. Johnson could be seen turning and jawing with Fernandez after a fly out.
Then, after the irksome homer, TV replays showed both players spitting with disdain as Fernandez made his way past third base.
Catcher Brian McCann confronted Fernandez when he reached the plate. But Johnson appeared most upset and had to be restrained after players converged from both dugouts.
Fernandez expressed remorse and apologized to the Braves after what turned out to be his final game that season due to a team-imposed innings limit.
“That was a classy move,” Johnson said. “We talked in 2014 too about it. I think all of us have a good understanding that when you play against each other things happen during the heat of the game that you almost regret immediately after the game.
“People all talked about how he was so down on how he reacted to the whole situation. I was too. If I could go back I would change a lot of things about that whole situation. But you learn and you move on.
Johnson said he is looking forward to being on Fernandez’s side so he won’t have to bat against him.
He joked that the best strategy against the young ace is, “Try to pull a hamstring, get out of the lineup.
“I think the reason why everybody gets so upset about it is because he’s so good. You’re getting tired of him getting you out every single time you go up to the plate. It’s 1-2-3, all right, see you later. I’m really excited to be his teammate, I’ll tell you that.”
A native of Naples who played college ball at Stetson, Johnson said he is excited to be back in Florida playing for a team he sees as having the talent to fight for something meaningful this season.
He will give manager Don Mattingly an experienced right-handed hitter off the bench who has been an everyday player until recently.
Johnson finished second in the National League in batting in 2013 when he hit .321 with 12 homers and 68 RBI. His production has declined since then, and last season he was an infrequent starter while splitting time with the Braves and Indians.