Better Know a Metstache: Howard Johnson

Even a young HoJo knew the benefits of proper grooming.

What better way to kick off The Wright Stache’s Better Know a Metstache series than with D-Wright’s mentor, Howard Johnson?  Perhaps the finest mustache to grace the hot corner in Mets history, HoJo’s stache was a part of both the 1986 World Championship team and the 1988 NL East Champions.

HoJo was a 30/30 man back when 30/30 (and mustaches) meant something.  In fact, he accomplished that feat three times (1987, 1989 and 1991).  He led the NL in home runs in 1991.  He’s a two-time All Star and Silver Slugger.  And he is the only Met to ever lead the league in RBI.

HoJo provided pop and speed in a lineup that was scintillating and explosive.  While he may have been overshadowed at times by Straw and Doc, his stache played second fiddle to no one.

When Ray Knight left as a free agent after the 1986 season, there was no need to panic.  Sure, Knight was a cornerstone of the 1986 championship, but third base was in good, strong hands with HoJo.  He took over the position full-time in 1987, went 30/30 and came in 10th in the MVP voting.  Not too shabby.  He’d man third base at Shea for six more seasons, finish in the top-5 in MVP voting two times in that span and cement himself as one of the finest sluggers of the late 1980s.

Now, HoJo is the hitting coach for the Mets, teaching today’s stars how to slap the ball to the opposite field, advance runners, and, of course, hit for power without the assistance of performance enhancing drugs.  Because who needs steroids when you’re already a virile man with the stache to prove it?

With HoJo’s whisker tutelage, the sky’s the limit for a David Wright mustache.

And now you better know a Metstache.

1 Comment

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  By Arm Strongcock, May 1, 2009 @ 4:11 am

  I loved HOJO back in the day and I am still a big fan. THis guy must be raking in the cash, what with the coaching gig and hotel chain royalties.

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