PRINCETON — When Michael Johns’ minor-league baseball career was nearing an end, he decided he could “serve the sport by coaching.”
That has led to his first professional baseball managing assignment — to run the Princeton Rays Appalachian League ballclub beginning in June.
Johns, a Florida native, met with the media on Tuesday afternoon in snowy Princeton and outlined his approach to the sport he loves.
“We’ll be aggressive on offense, and very conservative on defense,” he said.
“Obviously, the (Tampa Bay) Rays’ emphasis is getting players to the majors and helping Tampa Bay win the World Series,” he said.
That player development role doesn’t mean he will ignore trying to win games, he said. “I think winning breeds winning,” he said. “Players want to win at every level.”
For more on this story and other news and sports, check Wednesday’s edition of the Daily Telegraph.
