The Johnsons are Japanophiles

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Pierce Johnson is expected to be a part of the winning formula with the Hanshin Tigers this season. The righty, who was drafted in the first round by the Chicago Cubs in 2012, has yet to surrender a single run in exhibition play, exceeding everyone’s expectations. Both he and his wife are Japanophiles, and are enjoying their experience in Japan so far. PJ said he is looking forward to seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Here’s what else we learned about him.

*He was born in Denver, Colorado on May 10, 1991. All four major sports have a franchise in the city, and his father once worked in the Denver Nuggets sales department. Pierce used to play basketball as well, but the family moved out to San Diego, and that’s where he fell in love with baseball. He has an older sister who is five years his senior.

PJ was first drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays out of high school in the 15th round, but he felt like he wasn’t ready to turn pro at that point. He wanted to go to university, grow bigger and stronger. He graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in finance. Then in 2012, the Cubs chose him in the first round.

*He’s tried eel in Japan and loved it, but wasn’t a big fan of the bitter part (perhaps the roe?) of shishamo. Despite this, he loves seafood.

*His nickname is PJ.

*One food he really got hooked on while in Okinawa was yakitori, when Randy Messenger took him to a shop. On the last day of spring training, the import players all went out for yakitori as a final sendoff, and Pierce took a special liking for the wasabi-glazed chicken tenderloin. He liked wasabi already from having had it with sashimi and sushi in America, but he was impressed with this new way of using wasabi. (Apparently Messenger gets wasabi sent to his home from this particular restaurant in Okinawa.)

*PJ views Messenger as a great teacher and friend. He has been helpful not only with life in Japan but also has given advice about how to adapt to the game here in Japan as well. It is clear that he looks up to the veteran, who is 10 years older than PJ.

*One thing that surprised him a lot about Japan is the level of politeness. “Everyone has such good manners, and greetings are so important.”

*Both he and his wife Kristina, who got here on February 28, loved Japan even before they got here. “I think she’s fallen even more in love with Japan since she got here. She keeps saying that Japanese people are all so nice.” They plan on checking out shrines and temples together sometime soon.

*Right now he is most looking forward to the cherry blossoms. “I hear they are really beautiful, and my wife is really looking forward to seeing them as well.” One of his hobbies is photography, and he is looking forward to taking a lot of pictures of the blossoms.

*Another hobby he has is watching movies. His favorite is Gladiator. “I can’t explain why, but the action and the story are so good – it’s a real manly movie!” For the record, he has been told that he looks like Chris Hemsworth of Star Trek and the Avengers.