ByEvan Peaslee\/MLB.com|5\/28\/2013 2:35 P.M. ET <\/p>\n
TORONTO -- The two-game set in Toronto on Monday and Tuesday was a homecoming for outfielder Reed Johnson. <\/p>\n
The 11-year veteran spent his first five seasons in Toronto and was in the Blue Jays' organization for nine years total. <\/p>\n
\"It's good,\" said Johnson of being back at Rogers Centre. \"I feel like coming back here in 2008, same year I got released with the Chicago Cubs, I got a pretty good reception then. It kind of lets you know how the fans really felt about you. <\/p>\n
\"I think any player will tell you that the organization they break in with and get an opportunity with is always going to special to them. If I don't break in here, I don't get that opportunity, and who knows what I'd be doing.\" <\/p>\n
Johnson is now with his fourth team after joining the Braves in the middle of 2012 in a trade from the Cubs, and he re-signed with Atlanta for the 2013 season. <\/p>\n
The scrappy veteran has seen more than 3,300 at-bats in the Majors, and he admits that there's a secret to his longevity. <\/p>\n
\"Just grinding every day,\" Johnson said. \"Proving to teams that you can play on both sides of the ball, I think that's what's really helped me out. The years where you don't have great offensive years, you're going out there and helping your team out on defense.\" <\/p>\n
Johnson has found himself in more than half of Atlanta's games so far this season, and he credits his workman-like attitude to finding a way to contribute on both sides of the ball. <\/p>\n
\"It's just kind of how I've always been,\" Johnson said. \"From Little League to high school to college, it's always been the same for me. ... I really only know one speed, and that's the only way I can do it. <\/p>\n
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\nVet R. Johnson attributes career longevity to hard work<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"