Jays fans haven't forgotten Johnson

TORONTO -- The scene was totally incongruous Friday night.

With the Cubs trailing the Blue Jays 3-2 in the ninth inning, Reed Johnson came up to pinch hit for the Cubs.

The Toronto crowd of 27,803 stood as one to cheer Johnson, even though he represented the tying run.

"Yeah, it was great," said Johnson, who hit a 3-run homer in Saturday's 6-2 Cubs victory. "I had a lot of good memories here in Toronto, and that's just one more to add to the collection. It's something that I'll never forget. I wish my wife and family and people could have been here to see.

"I expected people to stand up and clap, but I didn't know it was going to be as special as that. A lot of guys in the clubhouse said the same thing. They were happy for me. It's a pretty special deal for me. In that situation, too, I know deep down they want me to do well. I think they probably want me to hit one in the gap and get thrown out trying to stretch it into a double.

"Yeah, it ended up working out a little better today."

Johnson played for the Blue Jays from 2003 until they released him late in spring training this year. The Cubs pounced and signed him to a one-year deal.

Interestingly, Johnson hit a leadoff homer and a walk-off game-winning homer against the Cubs on June 15, 2003.

He seemed to be a fan favorite in Toronto from the start, and Jays fans were disappointed to see him go.

"I don't know," he said. "I go out and play the game the way I know how to play the game, and I think that the fans see that and they appreciate that. It's rewarding to know that you've made an impact on the city, on the baseball fans of this city.

"I'm in Chicago now, and hopefully I can do the same there."