On December 7, 1984, the Mets traded pitcher Walt Terrell to the Tigers for Howard Johnson.

Terrell had become a Met just before the 1982 season began, coming to New York from the Texas Rangers along with Ron Darling in a deal for Lee Mazzilli.

Though Mazzilli was a fan favorite in his two stints with the Mets, and was instrumental off the bench in the 1986 post season, the Mets got the better end of the deal. Terrell went 19-23 with a 3.53 ERA and 102 ERA+ in three seasons with the Mets. Darling was 99-70 as a Met over nine seasons, with a 3.50 ERA and a 101 ERA+.

Terrell once had a two home run game, swatting two round trippers in a game at Wrigley Field in August of 1983. Terrell had a 11-year major league career, with the Mets, Tigers, Padres Yankees, and Pirates. He posted a 111-124 career record.

Johnson played nine seasons for the Mets (.251/.341/.459, 192 HR, 202 SB, 124 OPS+). Many think of “HoJo” as the answer to the trivia question, “who was on deck when Mookie hit the ball that got by Buckner?”. However, Johnson had a very good Mets career, and the trade for him worked out heavily  in the Mets’ favor.

Johnson was an outstanding fastball hitter, and had a knack for delivering home runs in key situations. He had particular success against closer Todd Worrell of the Cardinals, and this home run early in the 1986 season set the tone that the Mets were the team to beat in the National League East.

Johnson hit 30 home runs and stole 30 bases in the same season three times as a Met, achieving the feat in 1987, 1989, and 1991. Darryl Strawberry and David Wright are the only other Mets to be in the 30/30 club, with each having done the dual mark once.

In 1987, Johnson slugged 36 home runs, and followed that with the same number in 1989. His 38 home runs in 1991 led the National League. Johnson’s career high in stolen bases was 41 in the 1989 season.

Johnson was a natural third baseman, who played multiple positions for the Mets. In addition to third base, Johnson played shortstop and the outfield for the Mets. The latter was an experiment, which culminated (or hit rock bottom) when the Mets tried to make him a center fielder in 1992. His TZ in center field was -25 in 1992 in 82 games.

Johnson played for the Rockies in 1994 and Cubs in 1995, retiring after the 1995 season. He finished his career with 228 home runs and an OPS+ of 118.

After his playing career, Johnson coached for the Mets in Brooklyn, St. Lucie, Binghamton, and Norfolk. He was the Mets’ hitting coach from 2007-2010. He has also coached in the Mariners’, Astros’, and Rangers’ organizations. He is currently coaching in the Mexican League.