Howard Johnson's journey with the New York Mets was one of gradual but significant ascent, transforming him from a player often platooned due to specific skill sets into a central figure in the team's success. His early years with the Mets were marked by challenges, particularly his struggles with right-handed hitting, which led to shared playing time. However, through perseverance and a pivotal 1987 breakout season, Johnson established himself as a formidable
switch-hitter and a crucial component of the Mets' lineup, culminating in a standout 1989 season that solidified his star status.
Early Challenges and the Platoon System
Howard Johnson joined the New York Mets after being traded from the Detroit Tigers in December 1984. His initial years with the Mets were characterized by an inability to hit well from the right side of the plate. This deficiency led to him being platooned, particularly in 1985, where he shared third base duties with Ray Knight. Both players struggled initially, with neither reaching a .200 batting average until early July of that season. Johnson's hitting remained below average throughout 1985, and the Mets narrowly missed the postseason.
The 1986 season saw both Johnson and Knight start strong, but Johnson's hitting began to decline in May. Despite being a capable defensive shortstop, which earned him extra playing time moving between short and third, his offensive struggles and a three-week injury in June limited him to just 88 games. However, upon returning from injury, Johnson experienced a power surge, including two home runs in his first game back, which significantly boosted his slugging percentage. Despite this late-season rally, he faded down the stretch and was largely shut out of the postseason, making only one start in the 1986 World Series, where he went 0-for-4 in a crucial loss.
The Breakout Season of 1987 and the 30-30 Club
The departure of Ray Knight as a free agent after the 1986 World Series provided Howard Johnson with sole ownership of the third base position, a turning point in his career. In 1987, he embarked on a three-month power surge starting in mid-May, hitting five home runs with 13 RBIs in a 10-game span, followed by another six home runs and 10 RBIs a month later. By mid-July, with his 22nd home run, Johnson had surpassed Darryl Strawberry for the team lead in home runs, despite batting seventh in the order.
Johnson's remarkable power surge was complemented by an unexpected increase in speed. On September 11, 1987, he stole his 30th base, making him the first switch-hitter to join the prestigious 30-30 club (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a single season). He and Strawberry became the only teammates to achieve this feat in the same year. Johnson finished 1987 with 36 home runs, a career-best and a new National League record for switch-hitters, breaking a 53-year-old record. His performance earned him significant recognition, including 42 points in the National League MVP voting, and established him as a legitimate star.
Solidifying Star Status and Contract Security in 1989
Following his breakout 1987 season and a respectable 1988, Howard Johnson entered the 1988-1989 off-season amidst trade rumors, particularly concerning competition at third base with Gregg Jefferies. However, the trade of Wally Backman to the Minnesota Twins cleared the way for Jefferies at second base, allowing Johnson to remain at third. The Mets then moved Johnson to the third spot in the batting order, placing him ahead of Darryl Strawberry, a clear indication of his elevated status and the team's reliance on his offensive production.
Johnson responded with an exceptional June in 1989, batting .340 with 11 home runs, which earned him his first National League Player of the Month Award. This strong performance prompted the Mets to sign him to a three-year contract extension worth $6.1 million on July 9. This deal made him the Mets' second-highest paid player, behind Dwight Gooden, and cemented his position as a cornerstone of the franchise. His journey from a platooned player to a highly valued star was complete, demonstrating his resilience and growth as a major league talent.
