All-Decade Team (2010-19): DH

Leading into what would have been Opening Day of the 2020 season for the Charlotte Knights (April 9), the team's VP of Communications, Tommy Viola, will unveil the Charlotte Knights All-Decade Team (2010-19). Check back each weekday to see who made the team.

DH: DAN JOHNSON

Dan Johnson was already a household name when he signed with the Chicago White Sox in 2012. As a rookie in 2005, Johnson hit .275 (103-for-375) with 54 runs scored, 21 doubles, 15 home runs and 58 RBIs with the Oakland A’s in 109 games. In parts of four seasons with the A’s (2005-08), Johnson compiled 42 home runs and 157 RBIs. He was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 and went on to have a tremendous season with the Durham Bulls. He hit .307 with 25 home runs and 83 RBIs in 113 games. Later that season, he hit a big home run for the Rays as a pinch-hitter in a game against the Red Sox on September 9.

Three years later, he hit an even bigger home run with the Rays. After a season in Japan in 2009, Johnson was back in the Tampa Bay organization in 2010 and again in 2011. On September 28, 2011, with the Rays tied with the Boston Red Sox in the American League Wild Card race in the final game of the season, Johnson hit a pinch-hit home run with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game against the New York Yankees. The Rays went on to win the game in extra innings, and coupled with a loss by the Red Sox, clinched the AL Wild Card.

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE MVP
In 2010 with the Durham Bulls, Johnson was the International League MVP, as well as a Mid-Season and Postseason All-Star. He hit .303 (103-for-340) with 66 runs scored, 19 doubles, 30 home runs and 95 RBIs that season with the Bulls in 98 games.

JOHNSON’S SEASON WITH THE KNIGHTS
Johnson was among the league leaders in a number of offensive categories in 2012 with the Knights. He compiled a .267 batting average with 127 hits, 77 runs scored, 21 doubles, 28 home runs and 85 RBIs. He was an International Mid-Season and Postseason All-Star. His 28 home runs were tops in the IL, his RBIs were second, and he also led the league in walks (94) and games (137). He became just the fifth Knights player to lead the league in home runs. His 94 walks in a season are the most by a Knights player in a single-season.

PROMOTED TO CHICAGO
For his efforts in 2012, he was promoted to the White Sox on September 1 and launched three home runs in a game on the last day of the regular season.