Tim Johnson jokes he almost went into the home team clubhouse Thursday at Haymarket Park. Its a familiar path for Johnson, who spent 6 years with the Lincoln Saltdogs becoming the franchise's all-time winningest coach.

"I have a lot of handshakes and hugs coming," Johnson said. "The people were so great to me here"

Johnson considers his time in Lincoln among his most enjoyable throughout his 40-plus years of coaching. His most recent experience in the Capitol City comes in the opposing dugout, though. Johnson is the current manager of the El Paso Diablos, who opened a 4-game series against the Saltdogs on Thursday. Johnson became the Diablos' skipper last month after El Paso fired its coach. Johnson had been retired but couldn't resist the game he loves.

"I couldn't stay away," Johnson said. "My wife had me painting walls, so I said its time to get back on the baseball field."