Johnson Feels Iron Pigs' Pain

PAWTUCKET- There are plenty of highs and lows during a baseball season. For the Pawtucket Red Sox, their 5-2 start is a good way to open the season. For their opponents today, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, it’s the opposite end of the spectrum.

The new Triple A affiliate of the Philadelphia Philles has started its inaugural season 0-7. When teams get off to such a slow start, managers need to make sure the team stays on an even keel. PawSox Manager Ron Johnson knows this all too well.

“I’ve been there, I know what it’s like” said Johnson, “You want to get that first win.”

Johnson says when it comes to slumps, especially early in the season, everyone needs to keep their focus on the big picture.

“It’s a six month season” Johnson said, “It’s a day to day thing where you may not be comfortable in those situations, but it’s sometimes a pretty good test.”

Johnson recalled that in his first season as Manager at Baseball City in 1992, he started the season winning his first ten games. The next day his team began a losing streak that set their record close to .500 after 20 games.

“You push harder when you’re winning and pull back a little when you’re losing” he said “As long as you’re getting efforts out there, there’s nothing you can do.”