Johnson leads young squad

Feb. 24, 2005
By Anthony Loconsole
Staff Writer

Leadership is defined by Merriam-Webster as; capacity to lead a group, and the ability to lead by example.

Being a leader is something that we all have the ability to do whether we realize it or not. In sports, being a leader is very challenging, but when your team is able to achieve success it’s worth it in the end.

For Fighting Bee senior baseball pitcher Sean Johnson, being a leader means more than just barking out orders. He’s a quiet presence whose hardworking attitude leads him to much success on the field, and is felt throughout the team.

Johnson has been working out and getting his arm into shape for the long upcoming season. The goals of the team may remain the same, but for Johnson he wants to do more than just win a few games.

“I’d like to take the team to the NAIA World Series, but more than that, I want St. Ambrose University to be a respected team both on and off the field.”

In his four years at SAU Johnson has played a large role in teams that have won a pair of Midwest Classic Conference titles, and he now realizes what it takes to advance the team further down the road. Johnson is coming off a rocky ’04 performance and has set personal goals for the season ahead.

“I’d like to win 8-10 of my starts, it would be a nice kicker especially this year, but I also realize that baseball is a team game and that I have to count on the guys to back me up with hitting and defense, and if we do that I feel we’ll be tough competition in the MCC this year.”

Many student athletes have a hard time grasping the team concept but Johnson’s level headedness demonstrates his trust of his teammates during every game and at every practice.

Like other athletes, Sean is very superstitious and has various pre-game rituals before taking the field.

“I always shave my face. On my arms, I wear the same under-armor, same socks, do the same stretches, and my big thing is I never, never will touch the lines (white chalk) I’ll avoid them at all cost.”

Superstitions aside, the young group of Fighting Bee pitchers will look to Sean for guidance during the season.

“So far Sean’s been an excellent leader of the staff,” pitching coach Christian Jackson said.

“It’s because he leads by example and realizes when it’s appropriate to voice his opinion and when to just sit back, I expect Sean to continue this role throughout the season, and for our staff to have great success.”

Johnson’s leadership is visible when he takes the mound, from then on, he is all business. He is poised and shows emotion only after retiring a batter or the occasional pitch that gets away. Johnson is known for being a power pitcher whose fast ball blazes across the plate and to complement that he’ll catch you off guard with a nasty change up.

After his final game as a Fighting Bee Sean hopes that his career in baseball will continue.

“Getting drafted is something that every guy dreams/hopes will happen, my goal is to have a solid season and test my luck.”

If getting drafted doesn’t work out Sean said “I’d try and play independent ball in Iowa or Illinois, and if not there’s always softball leagues and coaching which is something I’ve given some thought to.”

Whether his career lasts forever or just until May, Sean Johnson is exciting to watch, but it goes much further than just on the field. Off the field Johnson is an outgoing Senior who is enjoying his time left at SAU. Though spare time is seldom, Sean will usually be hanging out with friends or taking in the occasional game of Madden 2005.

When it’s all said and done and he’s finally hung up his cleats Johnson hopes to be remembered as “a hard worker, a guy who had a lot of heart, someone that could lead/influence the guys by not saying a word only when needed, but mainly as a great teammate and friend both on and off the diamond.”

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