Mike Johnston
Encyclopedia
Michael Charles "Mike" Johnston (born March 30, 1979) is a baseball player, currently a free agent. In 2004, Johnston made the Pirates team out of spring training despite never previously pitching above the AA level. By doing so, Johnston became the second known person with Tourette syndrome
to play in Major League Baseball, after Jim Eisenreich
. In October 2006, Johnston underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum. That November, he signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. The Chicago White Sox signed him to a minor league contract for the 2009 season.
Tourette syndrome
Tourette syndrome is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by multiple physical tics and at least one vocal tic; these tics characteristically wax and wane...
to play in Major League Baseball, after Jim Eisenreich
Jim Eisenreich
James Michael Eisenreich is an American former Major League Baseball player with a 15-year career from 1982–1984 and 1987–1998. He played for the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals of the American League, and the Philadelphia Phillies, Florida Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers of the National...
. In October 2006, Johnston underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum. That November, he signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. The Chicago White Sox signed him to a minor league contract for the 2009 season.