Leaving on a jet plane

Right-hander Mike Johnson begins the wildest road trip for any player 26 years ago today as he flies from Harrisburg, Pa., where he is pitching for the Class AA Senators, to Los Angeles, where he stays long enough to start the Montreal Expos’ 6-3 loss on May 17 before a Sunday afternoon crowd of 45,382 at Dodger Stadium.

He then joins the Expos for their flight back to Montreal after that game before flying back to Harrisburg.

A day later, the Expos send Johnson from Harrisburg to Class AAA Ottawa, completing a two-day journey of – give or take – 5,542 miles.

“I’ll try not to come back,” Johnson tells Harrisburg manager Rick Sweet after he once again packs his bags on May 16, 1998.

To remember their traveling teammate, Harrisburg’s players neatly fold Johnson’s jersey in his locker and then seal off the cubicle with masking tape.

The tape carries the message: “Keep Out. Reserved for Mike Johnson. Will Return Soon.”

Johnson, though, never returns to Harrisburg, instead splitting the next three-plus seasons between Class AAA with Ottawa and the major leagues with Montreal.

After leaving the majors in 2001, Johnson spends another nine seasons in pro ball, a nomadic existence that includes stays with teams in Japan, South Korea, China and, finally, in 2010 with an independent league in Canada.