Johnson a big help to pitchers during his visit, they say
MESA, Ariz. — His hair isn’t long and shaggy anymore, but Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson is still instantly recognizable when he strides into a baseball complex. On Sunday at Fitch Park, he had the undivided attention of every A’s starter with whom he spoke, including doppelganger A.J. Puk.
“They’re very similar,” A’s starter Sean Manaea said, adding that Puk is sometimes called “Andy Johnson.” “You know, A.J.” Johnson spoke at length to Puk, the 6foot7 lefty who has drawn comparisons to Johnson throughout his career and who has become friendly with Johnson after manager Bob Melvin — Johnson’s manager in Arizona — introduced them two years ago.
“When he saw (Puk) warming up and playing catch, he was like, ‘Wow, it takes me back like 25 years here, with the long hair and the kind of the same stroke and the mechanics kind of look similar.’ So yeah, he got a chuckle out of that as well,” Melvin said.
Manaea, who — unlike Puk — throws nothing like Johnson, was glued to Johnson’s every word as the Livermore native discussed mechanics with Manaea during a bullpen session.
“When you have a legend like that and can pick his brain, it’s amazing, a guy of that caliber,”
Manaea said.
Manaea, who’s 65, said that advice from Johnson (610) is particularly helpful for him. “He was talking about getting out front more,” Manaea said. “As a tall lefty, it’s kind of hard for us to get balls down gloveside and he told me a few things that I think helped a little. I’m excited to throw (Monday) and test things.”
Johnson talked to the team’s three lefty starters, Manaea and rookies Puk and Jesús Luzardo, extensively after the workout, and Manaea said he explained to them that he had two different sliders, how he manipulated them and when to throw each.
Luzardo, 22, was thrilled to get some nice words from Johnson, too; Johnson told him he hadn’t seen a high schooldrafted player as polished as Luzardo is at his age. “That’s a good compliment to hear from a guy I grew up watching,” Luzardo said.
Ex-Giants reliever excited to join A’s: After some good results with the Giants last season, Burch Smith was a little surprised to be cut loose by the team last week, but he was enthusiastic about joining the A’s on Sunday and he did get a kick out of the fact that he was involved in the A’s first trade with the Giants since 1990.
“Maybe that’s a good omen,” Smith said. “It’s funny it’s the first one in 30 years. I was born in 1990. I don’t know what that means. We’ll have to connect the dots as the season goes on.”
Smith, who’d been designated for assignment last week, had only limited innings with the Giants last year, but had a 2.08 ERA in 10 appearances. He said he made some adjustments, including trying to be more aggressive and having catchers change where they set up for him a bit.
Smith works out with Puk in Tampa, Fla., in the offseason, and, Puk said, “He’s a great guy, hardworking, really good dude. We’ve become good friends. It’s pretty cool.”
The A’s acquired Smith for cash considerations. Adam Pettyjohn went from the Giants to the A’s in 2004 but the transaction was considered a straight purchase rather than a trade.