Elliot Johnson Plays Catch With Fan in Tropicana Field Parking Lot Before Red Sox-Rays Game (Photo)

by Zach Stoloff on Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 10:22PM

It's been an oft-repeated joke that there are so few spectators at the Tropicana Field that the Tampa Bay Rays have gotten to know their fans on a personal basis. Elliot Johnson may have taken that sentiment a little too far prior to the Red Sox-Rays game on Wednesday.

A random Tampa Bay fan named Chris decided to tweet at Johnson while tailgaiting before Wednesday's game, on a lark inviting the Rays second baseman (and David Price, too) to come out to the parking lot and play catch.

@elliotjohnson9 @davidprice14 We are in the lot, we have chairs waiting you want to come out, maybe play catch?

— Chris (@chrisbelltb) September 19, 2012

Chris probably didn't expect much to come of his offer, but Johnson in fact tweeted back at him, asking where he was, specifically.

What lot/section? RT @chrisbelltb: @elliotjohnson9 We are in the lot, we have chairs waiting you want to come out, maybe play catch?

— Elliot Johnson (@ElliotJohnson9) September 19, 2012

Chris waited around a little bit — it seems he may have given up hope of his dream coming true — but after a little provocation, Johnson checked in again, making sure Chris was still out in the parking lot.

Still out there? RT @chrisbelltb: @elliotjohnson9 U coming?

— Elliot Johnson (@ElliotJohnson9) September 19, 2012

Long story short, Johnson did in fact come out to hang with Chris. The two had a quick game of catch and took a photo together before the Rays beat the Red Sox 13-3.