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.
