Rays Hero Dan Johnson Is Reportedly Returning To The Team As A Knuckleball Pitcher

Remember back in 2011 when Dan Johnson hit one of the most dramatic home runs of the century against the Yankees, to send the Tampa Bay Rays to the playoffs on the last day of the season? Here’s a refresher.

That same Johnson, the 36-year-old journeyman first baseman last seen with the Cardinals, has reportedly signed back with the team, but as a knuckleball pitcher.

Man, I hope he pitches the equivalent of a two-out, two-run shot in the ninth against a hated rival with the stakes as high as can be. The Tampa Bay Tribunethat the team has hired Charlie Haeger, former major league knuckleballer, as a minor league pitching coach:

The Rays hired former big league knuckleballer Charlie Haeger this offseason to be a minor league pitching coordinator. Haeger is currently working with Eddie Gamboa, a non-roster pitcher in camp who is trying to make his knuckleball major league-ready.

Let’s hope he’s as good as Ichiro was.

Contact the author at patrick.redford@deadspin.com.