BOSTON –– When former PawSox manager Ron Johnson was informed of his promotion to be the new first base coach for the Red Sox, one of the first people he called was a New York Yankee.

Johnson has been a close friend of Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long since Johnson was Long’s Double-A manager in Wichita in 1995. When Johnson, a minor-league manager for the last 18 seasons, was told of his callup by Red Sox manager Terry Francona last Friday, Johnson had one message for Long and the Yankees:

“I said, ‘Hey, buddy. Congrats on the World Series, but it’s not going to happen next year, bro.’ When he asked me why, I told him. He told me that I deserved it and congratulations.”

Johnson, 53, has been riding buses throughout the minors since 1992, when he took his first managerial job, for Single-A Baseball City (Florida State League) in the Royals organization. Now there will be no more 3 a.m. stops at some greasy spoon along some highway from Buffalo, N.Y., to Gwinnett, Ga.

“I’m out of my mind,” Johnson said. “I’m excited beyond belief. My first big-league job will be with the Boston Red Sox. Are you kidding me? I’ve been around the game for a long time and I know I can do this and I know it’ll be a good fit.”

With the departure of Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, who last month was named manager of the Houston Astros, the Red Sox general decided to promote from within. The final four candidates were Johnson, minor-league field coordinator Rob Leary, Lowell manager Gary DiSarcina, and minor-league outfield and baserunning coach Tom Goodwin.

The official announcement was made Monday night and, as expected, DeMarlo Hale, the club’s third base coach for the last four seasons, has been named as Mills’ replacement as bench coach. Tim Bogar will move from first base to the third base coach’s box, while Johnson will be at first. Leary has also been added to the major-league staff.

“He interviewed very well,” said Francona. “More importantly it was the body of work that he’s accomplished over the years. He’s been a very loyal, hard-working member of our organization. Some of the problem we had with RJ is our comfort level with him at Triple-A was so good that he actually probably got passed over a couple of times just because we thought he did such a good job at Triple-A.

“RJ has a special way with connecting with players and we’re going to use that our advantage,” said Francona. “Any time somebody has come to the big leagues –– young or old –– they all say the same thing, that they enjoyed playing for RJ. He’s been terrific for the organization and he deserves this chance. We’re thrilled for him.”

Francona was vacationing in Las Vegas when he called Johnson to give him the good news.

“You still want to be our first base coach?” Francona asked Johnson.

“I was like, ‘More than I want to go out and ride my horse right now.’ He said, ‘Okay, you’re our first base coach.’ I was doing a lot of yelling and screaming,” said Johnson.

Johnson, who for years had been the one to give a player the good news of a big-league callup, now was on the receiving end.

“I was on the 25th year of a five-year plan,” said Johnson jokingly. “I’m not going to let [Francona] down. It’s really good. I almost feel like a little kid. I’m ready to go now.”

Johnson has managed most of the current Sox players, including Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jed Lowrie, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester, Manny Delcarmen, Clay Buchholz and Daniel Bard.

During his five-year tenure in Pawtucket, Johnson posted a 357-359 record, bringing his total minor-league managerial mark to 1,261-1,262.

Johnson has worked in professional baseball for 31 years. He played a total of 22 games in the majors, for the Royals (1982 and ’83) and the Expos (1984) as a first baseman.

Johnson’s son Chris, a prospect in the Houston organization, sent his father a text message in September, telling him he was getting called up to the big leagues for the first time and would be making his major-league debut with the Astros.

Last Friday, Johnson sent his son a text with a similar message that this time he was the one going to “The Show.” Between now and spring training, Johnson plans to stay on his farm in Tennessee, riding his horses. When he begins his new role, he knows what to expect.

“As long as [David] Ortiz doesn’t smoke me with a line drive, I’ll be in good shape,” Johnson said with a smile. “It’s exciting.”