Howard Johnson

Howard Johnson is a retired MLB third baseman who played 13 seasons with four different teams. Although he was drafted out of high school, Johnson decided to attend St. Petersburg Junior College, and was drafted the next year in the first round of the 1979 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers. In the minor leagues, Johnson was converted from a pitcher to an infielder, and he immediately made an impact, destroying opposing pitching in the minor leagues. After a few failed call ups to the Tigers, Johnson finally made the team in 1984, becoming their full time shortstop or third baseman, and he helped the team win the 1984 World Series. Following the 1984 season, Johnson was traded to the New York Mets, splitting time at third base before becoming the full-time third baseman in 1986, leading the way to the Mets World Series victory. He became known as a pure power hitter in 1987 after recording 36 home runs and becoming one of the top third basemen in the league. He would go on to spend eight seasons as a Met, playing two more seasons as a Colorado Rockie and a Chicago Cub before retiring in 1995. Over his 13 season career, Johnson was a two-time All-Star, a two time Silver Slugger, and a home run champion.