Howard Johnson: Time To Go

Let me preface this post by saying I realize that hitting coaches can't swing the bat for the players, but I'm starting to think that it's time for Howard Johnson to be dismissed.

I don't know how much of an impact hitting coaches have on players, especially veterans, but I can tell you that if Howard Johnson is having an impact on this bunch of Mets hitters, it's not very good.

While the Mets bats continue to slumber, HoJo's name is somehow being left out of the mix. We're ready to trade Wright, Reyes & Beltran but no one is asking what the heck is HoJo doing with these players?

He was supposedly brought up to the majors as a coach because of the influence he had on David Wright in the Minor Leagues. Well that influence has worn out or it's starting spoil with the way Wright looks up at the plate.

This is on top of the fact that two of the Mets commentators have offered advice that HoJo should already have picked up on and should be considered.

Keith Hernandez mentioned on air about three weeks ago how Fernando Tatis has changed the way he holds his bat which is slowing down his swing.

This week Darryl Strawberry was quoted as saying he mentioned to HoJo that David Wright is dropping his back shoulder on his swing which is potentially causing some problems.

Now HoJo could already be on top of both these items or maybe Tatis and Wright are both refusing to heed his advice, but somehow I don't think that's the case.

HoJo is not the root of the Mets problems by any means. But if you're team is horrendous at the plate and your star player whom you tutored is struggling mightily, and commentators are pointing out things you should already notice, maybe it's time for a change.