Howard Johnson

Howard Michael Johnson (born November 29, 1960), nicknamed HoJo, is a former switch hitting third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs from 1982 to 1995. He is third on the Mets' all-time lists for home runs, runs batted in , and stolen bases and second on their doubles list. On July 13, 2007, he was promoted from his position as the Mets' first base coach to their hi... more

Howard Michael Johnson (born November 29, 1960), nicknamed HoJo, is a former switch hitting third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs from 1982 to 1995. He is third on the Mets' all-time lists for home runs, runs batted in , and stolen bases and second on their doubles list. On July 13, 2007, he was promoted from his position as the Mets' first base coach to their hitting coach. Johnson was born in Clearwater, Florida, and attended Clearwater High School playing baseball as a pitcher. He attended St. Petersburg College and, at age 17, was drafted in the 23rd round of the 1978 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Yankees. Johnson did not sign with the Yankees and, the following January, he was drafted in the 1st round — 12th overall — by the Tigers. In the minor leagues, the Tigers soon converted Johnson from a pitcher to an infielder and, in 1981, he hit 22 home runs for the AA Birmingham Barons.... less