SHOULDER SURGERY PUTS A HOLD ON JOHNSON'S BASEBALL CAREERS

Jeremy Johnson is down, but definitely not out.

Johnson, Southeast Missouri State University's former record-setting baseball player who had a sensational rookie season in the professional ranks last year, saw his 2001 campaign end before it even began when he underwent shoulder surgery last week.

But Johnson, while naturally discouraged initially, said he hopes to come back even better next season.

"At first it was (depressing), because I didn't want to have surgery, but after I talked to some people, I figured it was definitely the best thing in the long run," he said. "Everything happens for a reason, and the way I look at it, in the long run, this will help me get healthy for the rest of my career."

Johnson, 22, an outfielder who was about to enter his second season with the Toronto organization, had experienced some shoulder problems in the past, but he never thought much of it. He reported to the Blue Jays' spring training camp in Florida on March 3. The following day, during his physical, he told team doctors that his left (throwing) shoulder had been bothering him.

After undergoing tests, it was determined that Johnson had a torn rotator cuff and surgery was recommended. He had the surgery last Wednesday in Toronto and is now back home in Cape Girardeau. Johnson, who has already started some light rehabilitation, won't be able to play baseball for at least five or six months.

"The surgery went well and they (doctors) say my arm should be stronger than it's ever been," said Johnson. "The (Toronto) organization still seems to be real high on me so that's encouraging."

Selected by Toronto in the 26th round of the 2000 amateur baseball draft, Johnson hit .378 and drove in 58 runs last year for Toronto's Class A Rookie League team in Medicine Hat.

After that stellar inaugural season, Johnson was named Pioneer League Rookie of the Year and became regarded as one of the top prospects in the Blue Jays' minor league system.

A graduate of Egyptian (Ill.) High School, Johnson was a four-year starter at Southeast and ended his career breaking numerous school records. As a senior in 2000, he was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and also the OVC Male Athlete of the Year.