In an interview with Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. David Wright discusses the departure of former hitting coach Howard Johnson after it was decided Johnson would not return to work for the organization in 2011.
Wright in describing Johnson’s departure said “He’ just been with the organization so long, and I think he’s done so much for the organization, that it’s tough for him to move on. But, on the other hand, I think that he understands that the organization is kind of going in a different direction — really, I would say, through very little fault of his own. I think he did everything he could do.”
He goes on to say that if Johnson is allowed to implement his philosophies he could be a “heckuva” hitting coach. Something that Wright says Johnson was limited in doing as the Mets hitting coach.
He finishes up discussing his excitement to work with his new hitting coach Dave Hudgens and his attempt to cut down on his strikeouts this season.
4 comments
metsfan4decades
2/19/2011-9:56am at 9:56 am (UTC -4)
Big league coaches and managers probably have the weakest job security going in. Most probably realize that. There aren’t too many like Bobby Cox out there.
I like HoJo and wish him well. That being said, it was time for a change. I was probably leading the ‘FIRE HOJO’ chant last year. He hints at not being able to implement his philosophies? Wonder what that was all about?
stickguy
2/19/2011-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
don’t know, but not sure that wright should be the poster child for them.
pretty much as soon as Hojo became the hitting coach, Wright tanked as a hitter (compared to what he had done before).
was it Hojo? Jerry? CIti filed? (I’ll blame Jerry, why not?).
If Hojo really had great ideas, and he was Wrights off season gugru, you think they would have shown up? With how far back DW and Hojo went, hard to believe he would actually listen to anything the gangsta said.
but, from the few comments made, it sounds like Hudgens is diving right in to deal with his mechanical and approach flaws!
rustyjr
2/19/2011-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
I feel bad for HoJo – I wish him well and I hope he holds no animosity with the team
stickguy
2/19/2011-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
they already showed him some level of respect, not firing him right after the season with Jerry and the gang.