According to The Providence Journal, Ron Johnson has embraced his role with this year's Red Sox and is ready to serve as the team's new first-base coach.
"I'm really excited," Johnson told the paper. "I'm more excited about this spring training than I have been in a lot of years. I'm very proud to have my first big-league job be with the Boston Red Sox. I want to be as good, or better, than I ever have been in the past."
Johnson boasts 32 years of baseball experience and has served as the manager of the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox for the last five seasons. The parent club's new first-base coach enjoyed his time in the minor leagues, but he wants to win at the major league level.
"When you're in player development and minor-league development, the first goal is not about winning," Johnson said. "It's nice if you can win and develop players to play in the big leagues, but you don’t sacrifice a win for a situation where a guy can prepare to go to the big leagues. Now, I'm in a situation where it is about winning and only winning."
Johnson has coached many of the homegrown players on Boston's 40-man roster, including Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis. The 53-year-old is excited to join players he coached in the minor leagues at spring training.
"I have a lot of excitement, and I'm really proud," Johnson told the Journal. "Every time I think about it I get goose bumps, but it's not the nervous kind, because I’m excited."
Spring training begins Feb. 18 in Fort Myers, Fla., and Boston's new first-base coach already seems ready to go.
