Nick Johnson felt chills when Yankee fans in Anaheim chanted his name Saturday. Tonight, there is a chance Johnson’s marrow will freeze.
If Joe Torre isn’t convinced Tino Martinez’ cranky left groin isn’t up to playing first base, Torre will use the neophyte Johnson, whose only glimpse of Yankee Stadium came when it was empty and he was in town a few years ago for shoulder surgery.
“What’s [the Stadium] like?” Johnson asked The Post Sunday in Anaheim.
Since Paul O’Neill was sitting next to the 22- year-old Johnson, The Post asked the 38-year-old O’Neill to tell the kid what he can expect when the Yankees host the Blue Jays in The Bronxs.
“It’s an old fashioned ballpark, a lot of history in the joint,” O’Neill said to a wide-eyed Johnson. “You have played in Texas and Anaheim. Now you are going to The Babe’s house.”
Promoted from Columbus (Triple-A) a week ago tonight when Martinez’ strained his groin, Johnson has impressed everybody in the organization despite a .217 (5-for-23) average because he knows how to play the game. Torre says Johnson can help the club in the postseason off the bench.
Don Zimmer is from a baseball generation that has to be shown something. Forget all the hype of a player – Zimmer wants evidence.
“In my six years here I have heard this name and that name,” Zimmer said. “I am not saying [Johnson] is going to hit this and that but he looks like he belongs. It’s nice to hear the good things, but I make my own opinion. A lot of times you see bad actors. This kid looks like he has been here for a while.”
Johnson, the top Yankee prospect, had his mother Paula and her gang from his hometown of Sacramento in Anaheim. Tonight, Johnson gets to write Bob Johnson on the pass list.
“My father called me and told me if I was still in the big leagues Tuesday he was coming to New York,” Johnson said.