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Live Chat With Former MLB Catcher and Pro Scout Brian Johnson
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Diego2oregon
11:40
Loved watching you and ausmus  play with SD back in the day!!! Do you still follow them?
Brian Johnson
11:43
Yes, I always keep track of the teams I played for.  The Padres during that day was fun.  Young front office with Larry Luchhino and John Moores leading the way.  Theo Epstein was a young, ambitious sponge that has been fun to root for as he produced a HOF career.  Amazing journey he has had.  So many of us got to know each other because we were all new.  Go Pads!
TJ
11:43
Loved your insights on diversity, especially since I coach diversity where I work. I coach that the commonalities and differences in a group are equally important threads which need to be woven together to build a strong organizational fabric. Which clubhouses were you in that did the best job of doing that?
Brian Johnson
11:48
Hey, appreciate your work.  I would say no organizations were good at creating a welcoming culture for everyone.  Some cultures/teams were more welcoming than others, but only because of the players - and only when teams were winning.  I often would dive into DEI-type of convos.  It was tough.  A ton of privilege from young men that were among the best 800 people in their craft on the planet...and they were making good money.  Having some humility regarding he plight/systemic struggles of your fellow human being was not a convo many wanted to have, or a struggle they wanted to see.  I am sure they are better now.  I work with many teams in many leagues today, so I have seen progress, but a long way to go, especially for my brothers and sisters in the Queer Family.  All of us, as you know, deserve to be safe, valued and protected while we try to do our best in this world.  I love being in the fight to help folks.  Hope you do too.
Lefty
11:48
At Skyline High, you had the short LF porch and short fences overall. Did that affect your swing/approach? What adjustments if any did you make at Stanford?
Brian Johnson
11:49
Ahh, nice one.  No, no adjustments.  I did have trouble my freshman year at Stanford as a hitter, but it did not have to do with mechanics.  I had to get stronger.  I had to work harder in specific ways.  I was playing more football then because I was the QB, so that hindered me a little as a hitter.  So many factors, but mechanics was down the list.
Sue Shi
11:50
Remember you  on the Reds.  The 99 season  brought back a lot of memories.  Some great guys on that team.  Thanks for bringing that up.  Bet you woyld love to hit in their ballpark now!
Brian Johnson
11:51
Yes, love the new ball park.  Sorry I did not play really well for you that year.  It was a thrill to play where my heroes of the Big Red Machine once played.  Loved playing for Griffey Sr. and Don Gullett.  Loved meeting Johnny Bench.  Joe Morgan, Oakland Boy like myself, was awesome to talk to always.  Good times.
Backyardigan
11:52
In the back yard you imitated? Favorite ball player?
Brian Johnson
11:52
Definitely Reggie Jackson.  He was the man.  Yankees.  World Series HRs.  Style.  Swagger.  He was my guy.
Ken
11:53
You played with Mark Gardner while in SF. One of my favorite players of all time, mainly because he came from my hometown and was always kind to me as a young teenager want to pick a MLB player's brain about life in the big leagues.
Brian Johnson
11:55
Yes, Gardy is one of my favorites.  He crossed paths with the Giants as players, then again when I scouted and he was the bullpen coach.  He and Dave Righetti were an amazing think-tank when it came to pitching.  Love them both.
11:56
Thanks everyone!  Really enjoyed my time with you today.  Thank you to MLBTR for having this platform and allowing me to be a part of it.  Enjoy the baseball season everyone, and be well.  
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