Johjima’s enthusiasm catchy

  • By Kirby Arnold / Herald Writer
  • Thursday, February 16, 2006 9:00pm
  • Sports

PEORIA, Ariz. – Step 1 in shattering the language barrier occurred Thursday at the Seattle Mariners’ spring training camp, where catcher Kenji Johjima punctuated his first workout with words of encouragement.

In English.

Johjima, the first catcher to make the transition from Japan to the major leagues, caught several pitchers in the bullpen and constantly praised their good pitches.

“Nice!” he would shout, or “Good job!”

He made veteran left-hander Jamie Moyer feel entirely at home.

“I almost felt like it was my dad,” he said. “My dad was the same way in the driveway.”

Johjima, who has enthused the Mariners’ pitchers with his outgoing approach to learning their tendencies, was simply himself on the first official day of workouts. He laughed before practice and was business-like during it.

He displayed soft hands and a bright red catcher’s mitt behind the plate, then swatted balls over the entire field during batting practice.

Johjima will catch more pitchers today as he continues to learn what they throw and when they like to throw it.

“I want to see the pitchers as much as possible,” he said.

What caught everyone’s ear, to no surprise, was the way he spoke with the pitchers, encouraging them when they hit his trademark red mitt.

“When I see a good pitch, I honestly say ‘Good pitch,’” he said. “When I don’t say anything, it’s not a good pitch.”

Moyer, who played catch with Johjima last month at Safeco Field, said he didn’t seem any different Thursday despite the pressure of his first U.S. workout amid the unmistakable focus of reporters and photographers. The Japanese media corps, while not as large as when outfielder Ichiro Suzuki was a rookie, still recorded everything he did on the field Thursday.

“He’s happy and he’s excited,” Moyer said. “He was that way when we played catch and he was that way today.”

Manager Mike Hargrove didn’t want to make too much of how Johjima took charge in working with the pitchers, but he was impressed with his first day.

“I liked the way he received the ball, I liked his energy level and I liked the way he swung the bat,” Hargrove said. “It was good to see him smiling. Everything I saw out of Johjima today was for the good.”

Relief pitcher Eddie Guardado, the team jokester, also made sure Johjima realized he’s a rookie.

Guardado added a twist to Johjima’s nickname – Joh – by calling him “Joh-mama!”

Asked about that, Johjima requested reporters to “please tell me what that means.”

“Hey, he’s a rookie,” Guardado said. “He has to go through these things. I think he’ll look good in a dress one of these days.”

Johjima wasn’t surprised that Guardado already has entered his space.

“Everybody tells me to watch out for Eddie,” he said.

Talk to us

More in Sports

Angel of the Winds Arena stands ready and waiting Friday afternoon for Kraken fans to arrive for the preseason game against the Edmondton Oilers. (Jake Goldstein-Street / The Herald)
Patterson: After past fails, can arena football thrive in Everett?

The turbulent past of arena football in the city stems from the opening of the Everett Events Center, now Angel of the Winds Arena, in 2003.

Everett's Max Soterakopoulos points to his name on the leaderboard after winning his division the Regional Qualifier for Drive, Chip and Putt, held last Saturday at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place. (Photo coutesy of Chris Soterakopoulos)
Community roundup: Everett youth golfer headed to The Masters

Plus, Mill Creek Country Club’s Val Patrick honored by LPGA, updates on local NFL players, and more.

Stanwood's Michael Mascotti relays the next play to his teammates during football practice on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Game picks for Week 5 of the prep football season

Find out which teams the experts and readers pick to win in Week 5.

Sultan’s Derek Feltner tries to stay upright after picking up an offensive fumble and getting a few yards against Granite Falls on Friday, Sep. 30, 2022, at Sultan High School in Sultan, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Week 5 prep football leaderboard

A look at the area’s top passers, rushers and receivers through four weeks of the season.

Lake Stevens’ Jayshon Limar (17) moves with the ball during a football game between Lake Stevens and West Linn at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. West Linn won, 49-30. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Associated Press high school football poll for Week 5

Lake Stevens falls from No. 1 in Class 4A; Arlington jumps to No. 6 in 3A.

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Sept. 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Sept. 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Sept. 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Sept. 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Mike Thomas (6) owner of the Everett Royals, shares a laugh after practice at Archbishop Murphy High School on February 2, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team announces owners, coach

The franchise had been shrouded in mystery since the league announced it was relaunching in April.

Washington's Sami Reynolds bats during a Women's College World Series game this past June in Oklahoma City. (UW Athletics photo)
The Herald’s 2022-23 Woman of the Year in Sports: Sami Reynolds

The Snohomish grad capped an outstanding five-year career with an All-American season and one of the biggest moments in UW history.

Most Read