Feb
17
2011

Daily News: Howard Johnson Leaves Mets

An article by Brandon Butler

According to the New York Daily News, sources have told the paper that Howard Johnson has decided to leave the Mets organization.

Johnson played for the Mets from 1985-1993, joined the coaching staff in 2007 as first base coach, and later became the hitting instructor. He served in that role under Jerry Manuel, and while he seemed headed for reassignment once the team dismissed Manuel at the end of last year, team insiders assumed that Johnson would find another role.

New general manager Sandy Alderson announced upon hiring Terry Collins as manager in November that Johnson would not be retained as hitting coach, and would likely be reassigned. Alderson later hired Dave Hudgens as Johnson’s replacement.

The team offered Johnson the position of hitting coach for its affiliates in Port St. Lucie and Brooklyn, but Johnson declined. Shortly afterward, the parties decided to part ways.

About the Author: Brandon Butler

Brandon is currently a MMO Minor League Staff Writer. He is also the co-host of the Mets Madness Podcast on Talkshoe Radio. Brandon lives in Hornell, NY.

12 Comments + Add Comment

Mr North Jersey February 17, 2011 at 9:03 pm

OK so now that Johnson is no longer in the Mets org will Hojo’s Mojo be changing his name soon?
tlagee February 17, 2011 at 9:37 pm

I never thought he was all that good, to be honest. Wright really struggled with the new stadium and I can’t really say that Hojo helped him. Look at Bay and how poorly he did.

To be fair to Hojo, maybe re-adjusting hitters to deal with the new stadium just wasn’t his thing. But situational hitting under Hojo was pretty average.
Jeffrey February 17, 2011 at 10:07 pm

I am saddened whenever a former 1986 Met leaves the organization.
- Berbalerbs February 17, 2011 at 10:12 pm
  
  here here
  - vinnie papandrea February 18, 2011 at 9:29 am
    
    THE WORST HITTING COACH EVER
    - Berbalerbs February 18, 2011 at 1:34 pm
      
      Which one of us said he wasn’t?
any February 17, 2011 at 10:17 pm

best of luck to him.

Suprised to the though that they offered him a HC job with they younger guys. Did not think he was actually good at that, and really don’t think he is the guy to be teaching a professional approach!

I was expecting to hear he got offered a community liaison type position in the FO.
Des February 17, 2011 at 11:05 pm

As a practical matter, I hope Hojo’s departure doesn’t have a negative effect on David Wright. After all his years in baseball, David likely knows the sport of baseball is a business first, a sport that is a sport secondarily.

Johnson didn’t have a strong or charismatic personality and was deemed expendable. But he was a pretty good guy and I’ll miss him.
Mikey February 18, 2011 at 8:34 am

Yeah, I wasn’t a fan of HoJo as hitting coach (I think the situational hitting in general went downhill with the exit of Rick Down) but he’s a classy guy and a great Met. Too bad they couldn’t find something agreeable for him.
t agee February 18, 2011 at 9:04 am

It really is true how the hitting in general went after Down’s was fired. I don’t see what Hojo brought to the table or why he was there.
- russell Zanca February 18, 2011 at 9:48 am
  
  Yeah, he didn’t help make us contenders as the HC, that’s for sure. Still, great guy!
- Harry C February 18, 2011 at 11:56 am
  
  Ah yes, the minute by minute dose of this anti met dude t agee, doing nothing but hating on any met not praisdede by his flase lord and master s alderson.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	23	18	.561	-
Nationals	23	19	.548	0.5
Phillies	20	22	.476	3.5
Mets	16	23	.410	6.0
Marlins	11	31	.262	12.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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