PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - As Howard Johnson grasped my hand and warmly pulled at the back of my neck, he was momentarily distracted by Royce Ring, the Mets’ lefthander, who was walking back to Tradition Field after a stint for Norfolk in spring training. Ring had sought a knowing and caring broker, and found one in HoJo, a natural mentor.

Following the 1993 season –his last with the Mets- HoJo became a role player for the Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs. He had a lot of time to think of what life would be like after baseball. The idea of coaching was appealing. So, he returned to the Mets organization as a coach, then managed the Brooklyn Cyclones for one season.

“That was okay and I’m glad I did it,” he confided. “But, I really enjoy being a hitting instructor. I get to focus on the person and their personal needs -their drive for success. I don’t care if they never play above A-ball. I want them to get the most out of it, and have a great experience here.”

Howard seems truly content with his life in the game. After leaving Woodbury, New York, he –along with Kim, his wife, and their three children- briefly resided in San Diego. Now, they are near the Mets’ Spring Training complex.

He chuckled about having their home flooded during one of Florida’s many recent hurricanes. But, he’s glad he is close to so many old friends, including former teammate Tim Teufel, who remains his best friend.

Howard vividly remembers his ninth inning home run off the St. Louis Cardinals’ Todd Worrell in April, 1986. It was the first game of a four-game series after the Mets had opened the season at 2-3.

“Without question, that was a highlight of my career. I knew what it meant for our team and the lift it gave us,” he recalled, noting that the Mets swept that series as Teufel, along with Kevin Mitchell, blasted home runs against Met nemesis John Tudor.

HoJo enjoyed playing much of 1991 in rightfield, and still feels it was his best season. Then, he received a call from Jeff Torborg, his new manager, about playing centerfield for the 1992 campaign.

Howard agreed, not realizing the pressure it would cause.

“At 31, it was a little late for me to be learning a new position. Shea Stadium is a huge outfield, and I was drained every night. I constantly worried about all the ground that needed to be covered.”

In 1993 –with Ray Knight having joined Davey Johnson in Cincinnati- HoJo was left an impassioned plea on his answering machine. ‘Join the Reds!’ Howard chuckles when he remembers that Knight had used all the tape. Though he wanted to go, he’d given his word to Colorado. HoJo emphasized that was most important to him. Still, he felt badly for essentially telling Ray and Davey, ‘No.’

“Looking back, it’s the only move in my career that I regret.

“Davey and Ray knew me, and I would have been comfortable playing for them. Don Baylor [in Colorado] really didn’t. Davey had always shown faith in me and was extremely influential in my career. With him, I had my best years.”

Later, Howard stopped to talk to Dave Rosenfield, the long-time Norfolk GM, They were both very concerned about Ken Oberkfell, who had surgery that day. His concern was genuine. He would stop by to visit him, if Oberkfell’s wife okayed it.

Howard Johnson was happy at his place in the world. He was grateful for a life lived, and greatly desired to share any personal gifts he had.

Read www.gettingpaidtowatch.blogspot.com.