‘Rojo’ Johnson Returns to the Mound After Prison Sentence

Venezuelan pitching sensation Billy Ray “Rojo” Johnson made his debut for the Houston Astros Triple-A affiliate Round Rock Express in their Thursday night match against the Nashville Sound.

According to the team’s press release, “Johnson, who was born in East Texas but was raised in Venezuela, recently had his prison sentence commuted. He served time for running a smuggling ring that imported rare and illegal species of reptiles into the United States from South America during the mid-to-late 1990s. Thursday night’s game marks Johnson’s first in American professional baseball after a storied career in the Venezuelan leagues.”

Johnson’s ERA remained steady after the game at 0.00.

Not all Express fans were happy with the Johnson signing.

As one named rodreel wrote on the team’s forum: “I’m sorry but no matter how well this convict pitches he shouldn’t be allowed at Dell Diamond. These convicts are a dime a dozen and you don’t hear about them much because they are shunned by baseball. What will this guy do if he figures a bad call was made? How might his actions influence his team mates and the Round Rock tradition? He has had his chance. I say NO NO to “Rojo” let him live on the streets like a HoBo!!!!!!!!!!!|”