centerfield maz

The Nineties-  1990: Howard Johnson doubled his salary, earning one point six million dollars & with that, the expectations for him were very high. But as was his history he would have better odd number years than even number years. His numbers did not compare to his big season the previous year but he still put-up good numbers.  He hit a HR in the Opening Day Mets 12-3 loss to the Pirates. They would lose two of three in that series & be haunted by these Pirates all season long. On April 16th & 17th he drove in three runs for both games, then drove in two more two days later. He  finished up April at .252 with just four HRs. He began May with HRs in back-to-back games, on Atlanta, then at home in a 5-0 Frank Viola shut out win over the Reds.  Grand Slam: On June 13th, at Wrigley Field, Hojo began his game with a sac fly in the 1st inning. In the 9th inning of a wild game the score was tied at 10-10. Les Lancaster walked Greg...

Howard Michael Johnson known as "Hojo" was born on November 29, 1960, in Clearwater, Florida. The five-foot eleven switch hitter was originally drafted as a first round, pitcher out of St. Petersburg College, by the Detroit Tigers in 1979. In the minors he was converted into a third baseman due to bat & his strong arm. In his third minor league season he hit 22 HRs at AA Birmingham in 1981. In 1982 he hit 23 HRs while batting .317 stealing 35 bases at AAA Evansville earning a call up to the big leagues. MLB Career: He came up to the Tigers in 1982 as a backup to Tom Brookens batting .316 with 4 HRs in 54 games. By 1984 he was being platooned with Brookens, starting out the year hot, driving in run in six of ten games in May.  A strong June had him hit up at the .300 mark along with four HRs. But he tailed off as the year came to an end, and he saw less playing time in September after the Tigers rolled over the American League. Soon veterans Darrel Evan...

George Basil Theodore was born November 13, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The tall lanky six-foot four right-handed outfielder, was an unusual looking ballplayer. He wore thick glasses, had long legs with a hunched over shoulder frame and a long nose.  He also has the distinction of being the only Mets player in history to ever be from the state of Utah. Theodore attended the University of Utah playing baseball with future MLB player Bill Parsons. Theodore was selected by New York Mets way down in the 31st round of the 1969 free agent draft.  Theodore credits his minor league manager Joe Frazier for giving him the chance to play. After struggling at the AA level Frazier sent him back to A ball Visalia where he excelled. In 1971, Theodore was the California League MVP for Visalia batting .333 with 28 HRs & 113 RBIs. It’s hard to imagine but the Stork was a power hitter in his early years in the small ballpark at Visalia.  In 1972 at AA...