If you didn't live through the mid-to-late 1980s in Queens, it’s hard to describe the specific brand of electricity that Howard Johnson brought to Shea Stadium. Most people remember Darryl Strawberry’s towering moonshots or Dwight Gooden’s terrifying "K" counts. But "HoJo"? He was different. He was the guy who could steal a base, crush a 400-foot blast, and play three different positions, usually all in the same week.
Honestly, the Howard Johnson NY Mets era is one of the most statistically bizarre and impressive stretches in baseball history. We're talking about a switch-hitter who basically pioneered the "power-speed" combo before it became a fantasy baseball obsession.
The Trade That Changed Everything (and Nobody Noticed)
December 7, 1984. The Mets trade pitcher Walt Terrell to the Detroit Tigers for a young infielder named Howard Johnson. At the time, Tigers manager Sparky Anderson was essentially giving up on Johnson. He had plenty of talent, but Sparky didn't think he could handle the pressure of being a daily starter in the Bigs.
It’s kinda hilarious looking back.
The Tigers had just won the 1984 World Series, and they figured they were selling high. Meanwhile, the Mets were building a juggernaut. Frank Cashen, the Mets GM, famously said Johnson hadn't even "touched the tip of his athletic abilities." He was right. But it took a while for the rest of us to see it.
1986: The Ring and the Growing Pains
You've probably seen the highlights of the '86 World Series a thousand times. Buckner’s error. Ray Knight rounding third. The champagne.
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What you might not remember is that Howard Johnson was almost a footnote during that championship run. He was stuck in a platoon with Ray Knight at third base. When Knight got hot, HoJo got cold. He even moved to shortstop for a bit, which was... adventurous, to say the least.
He finished the 1986 season with 10 home runs and a .245 average. Not exactly superstar numbers. In the World Series against the Red Sox, he only got one start—Game 2. He went 0-for-4. He struck out in his only at-bat in Game 6. By the time the parade hit the Canyon of Heroes, HoJo had his second World Series ring (one with Detroit, one with New York), but he wasn't "The Man" yet.
That changed in '87.
The 30-30 Club and the Switch-Hitting Power Peak
If you want to know why Howard Johnson NY Mets fans still wear his jersey to Citi Field, look at the years 1987, 1989, and 1991.
In 1987, HoJo absolutely exploded. He hit 36 home runs and stole 32 bases. He became only the seventh player in history to join the 30-30 club. People were stunned. A switch-hitting third baseman with that kind of wheels? It didn't make sense.
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- 1987: 36 HR, 32 SB, 99 RBI
- 1989: 36 HR, 41 SB, 101 RBI
- 1991: 38 HR, 30 SB, 117 RBI (Led the NL in HR and RBI)
Think about that 1989 season for a second. He was this close to a 40-40 season. If he hadn't gotten caught stealing a few times or if a few warning track flies had carried another five feet, we’d be talking about him in the same breath as Jose Canseco or Barry Bonds.
The Corked Bat Controversy: Real or Reputational?
You can't talk about Howard Johnson without mentioning the "cork" stuff. In 1987, Whitey Herzog and the St. Louis Cardinals were convinced HoJo was cheating. They claimed his bat sounded "hollow."
They even asked the league to X-ray his bats.
Nothing was ever found. Literally nothing. HoJo just shrugged it off, saying they’d forget the cork but remember him. It was a classic "rent-free" situation where he was playing so well that opposing managers had to invent a reason for his power.
Why He Still Matters in 2026
Baseball has changed. Now, everyone tries to hit 30 home runs. In the late 80s, if you were a "speed guy," you were supposed to bunt and slap singles. HoJo rejected that. He was a pioneer of the modern "complete" player.
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He’s still third on the Mets' all-time list for home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases. That's longevity.
Today, Howard is still involved in the game. He spends a lot of time at the Showtime Sports Academy in Nashville, teaching the next generation of hitters. He still shows up at Mets alumni events, looking like he could still probably lace a double into the gap if you gave him a couple of warm-up swings.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the HoJo legacy, here’s how to do it properly:
- Check the 1987 Topps Card: It’s an iconic piece of 80s cardboard. The wood-grain border with HoJo’s mustache and Mets jersey is the peak of the era.
- Watch the 19-Inning Game: July 4-5, 1985, against the Braves. HoJo didn't even start, but he ended up being the hero in a game that finished at 4:00 AM. It’s the ultimate "gritty Mets" performance.
- Study the 1991 Stats: It’s rare for a switch-hitter to lead the league in both HR and RBI. In fact, before HoJo did it, it was almost unheard of in the National League.
The Howard Johnson NY Mets story isn't just about a guy who played third base. It’s about a player who was too fast for the power hitters and too powerful for the fast guys. He was the ultimate hybrid before we even had a word for it.
Next time you're at Citi Field, take a look at the Mets Hall of Fame. Find the guy with the number 20. He wasn't just a part of the 1986 team; he was the engine that kept the Mets relevant long after the party ended.