Rays' Johnson hopes to be more than 'The Play'

The Rays are headed to Tampa this morning to play the Yankees. Elliot Johnson is on the trip, and you know what that means?

The Play.

And talk of The Play, Johnson's collision with Yankee catcher Francisco Cervelli during the spring of 2008 that broke Cervelli's wrist and led to a brawl between the teams a few days later and, according to more than a few Rays, jumpstarted their march to the World Series that October.

"I wish I could be known for something else, but that's the way it is," Johnson said Thursday morning. "It's up to me to do that. It's not up to anybody else. Once I do that, then hopefully I can put that in the rearview mirror, but as of now, I'm a play not a player. That's the way it is. I'm the guy. I'm not Elliot Johnson."

Johnson would rather be known for being the guy who can spark a winning rally, which he did later Thursday when he tripled to start the bottom of the ninth and scored the winning run in the Rays' 6-5 victory against the visiting Orioles at Charlotte Sports Park.

He would like to be known as a guy who can help the Rays in the infield and the outfield and at the plate.

Ultimately, Johnson would like to be known simply as a Tampa Bay Ray, though that might prove difficult since he is out of options and his name is never mentioned when talk turns to the battle for the other half of the second-base platoon. The list of candidates is short, only Sean Rodriguez and Reid Brignac.

"There are more variables this year," Johnson said. "Whereas last (spring) the options were either Durham or Tampa Bay, this year there could be, I don't know, there's 30 teams and I don't know how many other locations there could be. It could be one of those 30 teams. It could be Durham. Who knows? It's challenging, but it's part of the business and you have to deal with it as it comes along and not try to think about it too much and just try to handle what you can."

This is Johnson's fourth spring training with the Rays. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2002, once hit four home runs in four at-bats, including home runs in the first, second and third innings of a Class A game, was a member of two championship teams, started his pro career as a second baseman but has learned to play third base, shortstop, left and right fields, and spent the first 28 days of the 2008 season with the Rays.

"We've had so many mini-conversations about him, because athletically, he's everything you're looking for," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "On top of that, he's a switch-hitter and he's got power, and he's playing all these positions."

But ...

"We're going to talk about the other guys, but that doesn't mean we're overlooking him," Maddon said. "More than likely something may have to happen to move him into that slot. You never know. And he's the kind of guy who's going to stay ready for the opportunity if it jumps out there. I really like this guy. If he were not to make the team, you don't want to lose a guy like him, you don't."

Johnson said he is not bitter. He is thankful for his month in the majors. He is thankful he was kept on the 40-man roster after hitting .207 in 2007.

He sees this month as not only a chance to impress scouts from across the major leagues, who will surely be looking at a utility fielder expected to be available, but his current employer as well.

"Obviously, the scouts know I'm out of options," Johnson said. "(But) my goal isn't to be with someone else. My goal is to be here with the Rays. I love being here. I love these guys. I came up with a lot of these guys, and this is where I want to be, so that's my goal. If it ends up being somewhere else, I understand that's the way it is and we'll deal with it then, but my goal is to be here."