Afinará Howard Johnson bateo de Toros de Tijuana
Tijuana, B.C. (TorosDeTijuana.com-Armando Esquivel) 6 de enero.- Los Toros de Tijuana iniciaron el año con otra gran contratación, al anunciar la firma del ex bombardero de los Mets de Nueva York, Howard Johnson, como el nuevo coach de bateo para la temporada 2020 de la Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, así
Tijuana, B.C. (TorosDeTijuana.com-Armando Esquivel) 6 de enero.- Los Toros de Tijuana iniciaron el año con otra gran contratación, al anunciar la firma del ex bombardero de los Mets de Nueva York, Howard Johnson, como el nuevo coach de bateo para la temporada 2020 de la Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, así lo anunció Óscar Romero, director deportivo del conjunto fronterizo.
Si de experiencia en Grandes Ligas se trata, el renovado cuerpo técnico de la franquicia tijuanense se desbordará con la inclusión de este ex pelotero que pasó catorce temporadas en la "Gran Carpa" con los equipos de Tigres de Detroit, Mets de Nueva York, Rockies de Colorado y Cachorros de Chicago.
El bateador ambidiestro se pondrá a las órdenes del manejador Omar Vizquel y tendrá como compañeros a Bronswell Patrick, coach de pitcheo, Jonathan Albaladejo, coach de bullpen, Carlos Hernández, coach de receptores y Raúl Cano, coach de banca.
En su larga y exitosa carrera como jugador, el bateador ambidiestro ganó dos anillos de Serie Mundial (Detroit 1984 y Mets 1986) y participó en dos Juegos de Estrellas (1989 y 1991).
El ex tercera base nació en Clearwater, Florida, el 29 de noviembre de 1960 y fue tomado en la primera ronda del draft de 1979 por Tigres de Detroit, equipo con el que debutó en Grandes Ligas en 1982.
Omar Vizquel, manejador de Toros de Tijuana, se mostró muy complacido por la contratación de Howard Johnson, por toda la experiencia que el ex cañonero aplicará para pulir las piezas ofensivas del conjunto fronterizo.
"Muy contento de contar con alguien como Howard Johnson en el cuerpo técnico; es una persona que ha tenido mucha experiencia en Grandes Ligas, incluso en Serie Mundial, de playoffs y un tipo exitoso; creo que lo que nos trae a la mesa es la experiencia que tiene como bateador y que lo hacía a ambas manos", comentó el timonel venezolano vía telefónica.
"Va a ser de mucho provecho para los muchachos poder consultarlo cobre su éxito en el bateo", agregó Vizquel.
Para Howard Johnson su mejor año ofensivo en el "Big Show" fue en 1991 cuando despachó 38 cuadrangulares y produjo 117 carreras, ambas cifras fueron las más altas en todo el circuito.
Su etapa como coach inició en 1997 en la organización de Rays de Tampa Bay y tuvo un notable ascenso con los "Metropolitanos", ya que pasó desde el nivel A en 2001, hasta Triple a en 2005 con Norfolk Tides. En 2007 fue coach de primear base con Mets de Nueva York.
Johnson también ha trabajado en ligas menores para las organizaciones de Marineros de Seattle, Rangers de Texas y Astros de Houston. Su más reciente encomienda fue en 2019 con Sounds de Nashville en la Liga de la Costa del Pacífico, donde fue coach de bateo para esta escuadra de Triple A.
"HoJo" terminó su carrera con 228 cuadrangulares y 760 carreras empujadas. Al momento de su retiro en 1995, tenía el récord de más jonrones de la Liga Nacional en una temporada y de por vida para un bateador ambidiestro.
HOWARD JOHNSON
Nombre completo: Howard Michael Johnson
Fecha de nacimiento: 29 de noviembre de 1960
Lugar de nacimiento: Clearwater, Florida
Posición: Tercera base
Equipos en GL: Tigres, Mets, Rockies y Cachorros
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