The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Hilltoppers’ chemistry begins with ‘Big Griz’
Johnson has many duties, including ‘keep the team out of trouble’
Chardon’s baseball season began with a trip to the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C. over spring break. There, the Hilltoppers were afforded a full week of baseball, uninterrupted by inclement weather.
The trip kickstarted a 13-2 start and, eventually, Chardon’s second-ever district baseball championship. An entire week spent with teammates and coaches also helped the Hilltoppers forge a unique team chemistry that helped them weather a midseason five-game losing streak.
As unforgettable as the trip was, and the team’s accomplishments since to advance to a Division II Hudson regional semifinal against Canfield on May 24, the most memorable part of the spring break trip was at its beginning.
Chardon’s players and coaches took a 14-hour bus trip to their destination. While many slept, one rider stayed alert for the entire ride.
Thomas Johnson, the team’s general manager and utilityman, was wide awake for the 14-hour journey — assisted by a few cans of Mountain Dew Kickstart. Johnson, known to his teammates as “Taj” and “Big Griz,” was just doing the job he’s done for coach Brian Long since he played basketball for Long in seventh grade.
“I bring a lot of the energy for the team,” Johnson said. “I keep the team out of trouble and keep our dugout organized.”
Long began working at Chardon in the 2012-13 school year, coaching middle school boys basketball and the varsity baseball team. Then, he met Johnson, a special needs student whom Long made an assistant coach in the gym and on the diamond.
Long receives four to five calls a day from his general manager. When the Hilltoppers are scheduled to hit the road, Johnson is excused from his classes at Cuyahoga East Vocational Education Consortium and spends time with Long in his classroom until the bus leaves.
Before the season’s begun, Johnson’s already memorized Chardon’s schedule from batting practice to bus departure to first pitch.
“He’s a legend, man,” Long said. “It’s just every day, he’s on people. Right now, if people are slacking, he’s going to be on you. He knows the expectations we have as a program, he gets upset when we lose. He’s fired up when we win. If you’re not doing your job, he’ll let you know it.”
Johnson recently completed his course of study at CEVEC and graduates from Chardon on May 26. He works for assistant coach Keith Paterson taking apart computers, and recently received a raise. In August, he will begin firefighter training.
Johnson’s best friend on the team is Dylan Hemly, the Hilltoppers’ senior starting catcher. Alongside his own date, Hemly also brought Johnson to Chardon’s prom and often gives Johnson rides to and from practices and games.
“He always brings the juice, every day,” Hemly said. “Sometimes we don’t want the juice but he always brings it.”
The “juice” i ncludes, but is not limited to, Johnson’s decision to practice without socks May 22 because he told Long it was his “Beast Mode Day.” The 20th of every month is “Tony Stewart Day,” when Johnson wears his gear featuring the NASCAR driver once known for his orange No. 20 car.
When the repetition of practice and days washed out by rain can grow monotonous, Johnson helps keep his teammates loose.
“He makes me laugh so much,” senior center fielder Luke Callahan said. “I feel like sometimes, things are boring. He made the Myrtle trip so fun.”
His spirit isn’t limited to the dugout. Johnson often wears his Chardon baseball jersey to school and, during the winter, helped out on boys basketball coach Chad Murawski’s staff.
At practice, Johnson accounts for the team’s equipment, makes sure people are where they’re supposed to be and even times his teammates while they run laps.
“It ’s a tr ip,” senior pitcher Dakota Baldwin said. “He’s already keeping the energy up and making sure everyone’s on their toes.”
Johnson received his first at-bat in a scrimmage against West Geauga last year. He still bitterly recounts the details of his strikeout.
Earlier this season, he drew a walk in a scrimmage with Kent Roosevelt. Later in the year, Johnson was named game MVP when he logged an official at-bat in the Hilltoppers’ win over Brecksville-Broadview Heights on May 12.
As valuable as the time is that Johnson’s spent with his teammates, Long knows he’s benefited from his experience working with Johnson.
“I don’t know what Thomas would’ve been like if he wasn’t involved with Chardon Athletics since he’s been in seventh grade,” Long said. “Every day, I tell myself as a teacher and coach, if I can impact one kid just this one day, I can make a difference and that’s what it’s about.”
Johnson’s a member of a Chardon senior class that’s been a part of 20-win teams since freshman year. Hemly, Callahan, Baldwin, Grant Goodge and Myles Metz moved through the Chardon program from the freshman team to junior varsity and the varsity level the past two years
The experience, going to back to middle school basketball, wouldn’t be the same without Johnson.
“He’s become one of our best friends and stuff like that,” Hemly said. “Everybody around the school knows him. He’s like the man, kind of. It’s a lot of fun.”
Chardon heads to Hudson on May 24 with the intent to make its season last at least one more day. Baldwin is slated to start against Canfield, and Johnson has high expectations.
“Baldwin’s got a big role for us Thursday,” Johnson said, with an arm draped over his teammate. “He’s got to pitch a no-hitter against Canfield.”