Former Met of the Day: Howard Johnson (1985-1993)

Howard Michael Johnson also known as Hojo, was born on November 29, 1960 in Clearwater, Florida. He was originally a pitcher signed out of St. Petersburg College, first round pick by the Detroit Tigers in 1979. He became the Tigers back up to Tom Brookens in 1982 and then platooned with him starting out the 1984 season. Hojo began the year hot but tailed off and saw less playing time as veteran Darrel Evans & Marty Castillo got more playing time along with Brookens. The ’84 Tigers won 104 games, swept the Royals then beat the Padres in five games winning the World Series. Hojo had 12 HRs 50 RBIs and batted .248, but only had one at bat going 0-1 in the post season.

After the season, he was traded Johnson to the Mets for pitcher Walt Terrell. With his arrival to platoon with Ray Night at third, the Mets traded off Hubbie Brooks in exchange for Gary Carter. Hojo hit ,242 with 11 HRs & 46 RBIs in 126 games.

In 1986 he spent time on the DL and struggled out of the gate. He had only one HR going into mid June then went on a tear and had six during the next month. One of his biggest was during the legendary July 22, game at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. A bench clearing brawl occurred after Ray Knight punched out Eric Davis after he slid into third base. Johnson followed with a three-run HR which led to the Met victory.

Hojo’s constant smile and good sense of humor was visible throughout the year. He was Roger McDowell’s side kick in issuing the “hot foot” to Mets players in the dugout. The “Hot Foot” was when a matchbook was stuck with bubble gum to the back of a players shoe & lit on fire. This was demonstrated in the 1987 “Let’s Go Mets” video by Johnson & McDowell. He finished the year at 10 HRs 14 doubles, 39 RBIs & a .249 average.

Post Season: HoJo was shut out in the postseason, going 0-for-7 in four games combined. His only start was Game 2 of the 1986 World Series when he went 0-for-4 in the Mets loss. His only other at bat in the series was in Game #6 when he struck out in the ninth inning. He was the first Met to greet Ray Knight at home plate as he scored the miraculous winning run in the classic Game # 6. At age 25 Johnson already had his second World Series title.

Ray Knight was gone after the Series and Johnson became their regular third baseman. He became one of the league’s top power hitters, going on a three month tear from mid May on. He had 20 HRs by the All Star break and in July he had a stretch of driving in six runs in a seven game span. He started August with a grand slam and in a thirteen-game span he had at least one RBI in all but one game. Three games in mid-August brought another three home runs and seven RBI.

He also had speed and stole 32 bases putting him int he exclusive 30/30 club. He finished the year with 36 HRs (7th in the league) 99 RBIs, second to Daryl Strawberry on the team. His 36 home runs overall were the most in National League history by a switch-hitter. He also hit 21 doubles and scores 93 runs. He was much better hitter from the right side, and earned 42 points in the MVP voting as well.

In 1988, Johnson’s numbers fell off (.230 average) due to a mid season shoulder injury, but still showed home run power, 24 HRs 24 doubles 68 RBIs. A mid-season injury to his right shoulder contributed to his poor offense. That season he set a Mets record with 25 intentional walks. On September 8, 1988 he had the only five-hit game of his career, going 5-for-5 with a three-run home run and four RBI in a Wrigley Field victory. While Johnson was struggling the Mets tried out 21-year-old prospect, Gregg Jefferies, who had a hot September.

Post Season: The Mets easily won the 1988 Eastern division, Johnson struggled, going 1-for-18 with six strikeouts in the 1988 NLCS. He was benched for Games six and seven in favor of Jefferies. He did pinch-hit in Game 7 and struck out for the final out.

Trade rumors surrounded the off seaon, but when Wally Backman got shipped out, Jeffries took over second & Johnson remained at third. He was moved up from sisth in the batting order to number three in front of Daryl Strawberry. He had an awesome 1988 season, especially in June when he hit 11 HRs driving in 24 runs, winning the NL Player of the Month award. He started at third base for the NL in the All-Star Game and in his first at bat, he drove in a run. With his 30th HR on August 20Th, he joined Bobby Bonds and Willie Mays as the only multi-year members of the 30-30 club.

In 1989 he was 2nd in the NL with 36 HRs, tying his career-high and his own record for NL switch hitters. He led the league with 104 runs scored, was 4th with 101 RBIs, 3rd with 41 doubles, which also set a club record, and stole 41 bases finishing 5th in the MVP voting.

In 1990 he doubled his salary, played in over 150 games, stole over 30 bases again, but his numbers dropped off (23 HRs 90 RBIs 37 doubles & a.244 average). He spent the last two months of the season as Kevin Elster's replacement at shortstop. Johnson's best game was his first ever five-RBI game, including a grand slam, at Wrigley Field on June 13, 1990.

1991 was his best season of all, as he led the NL in both; RBIs (117) and HRs (38) breaking his own NL switch hitting mark. Hojo had 63 RBIs by the All Star game and was voted to his second midsummer classic. He finished out with a fantastic September hitting 10 HRs with 28 RBIs, earning him his second National League Player of the Month award. He also became the only player besides Barry Bonds to join the 30-30 club in three different seasons. In June he passed Dave Kingman into second place on the Mets' all-time home run list, and matched a club record with 108 runs scored. He again finished 5th in the MVP voting.

He was sloppy on the field and saw some playing time in the outfield to compensate for it. In 1992 the Mets bought a bunch of high priced free agents that all failed, as the team went down strangely so did Hojo. In 100 games he hit only 7 HRs with 43 RBIs and batted .233. Johnson's only bright spot was when he hit passed Ted Simmons for the N.L record for home runs by a switch hitter-183. 1993 was even worse for him, injuries limited him to 72 games and at age 32 he seemed washed up. He finished up his Mets career with 192 HRs (third all time) 629 RBIs (third all time) 214 doubles (second) 202 stolen bases (third) 556 walks (third) 627 runs scored (second) 1154 games played (5th) and a .251 batting average. He is the only Met to ever lead the league in RBIs.

In 1994, Johnson signed with the Colorado Rockies. In the strike shortened year his .211 average was the worst of his career and he was not re-signed. He signed with the Chicago Cubs in 1995 hit only .195 and retired at age 35.

Retirement: In 2001 Johnson was the batting coach of the Mets' brand new minor league team, the Brooklyn Cyclones. He went on to manage them in 2002. He was hitting coach for the St. Lucie Mets (winning the Florida State championship in ’03) then for AA Binghamton Mets AAA. In 2007, he returned to the the Mets as first base coach duties and later on becoming their hitting coach through 2009. He also runs charity golf outings in Florida. He was on hand for the 20th anniversary celebration of the 1986 team in 2006, and the closing ceremonies of Shea Stadium in 2008.