NL East - Mets' HoJo Eats 36 Ribs in 3 Minutes

[bernieh]

[i:dc952d4fc3]originally printed: The Sporting News, February 10, 1986[/i:dc952d4fc3]

After enrolling in a brokerage course and passing a 6 1/2-hour exam to qualify for his broker's license and a job on Wall Street this winter, the New York Mets' Howard Johnson reversed a trend by moving from the warmth of Clearwater, Fla., to a new home in Woodbury, N.Y.

Johnson then climaxed his winter by tying for first place in the annual rib-eating contest at Rusty Staub's New York restaurant. Johnson ate 36 ribs, as did Rocky Klever of the National Football League's Jets, in three minutes, the best effort among several dozen sports personalities.

All Johnson wants now is to become the Mets' starting third baseman. He shared the job last year with Ray Knight, playing third in 113 games - 40 more than Knight.

"I know (Manager) Davey Johnson plans to platoon us again, but if I get hot or there is an injury, maybe I can win the job on an everyday basis," Johnson said.

Knight played only half a season because of injuries and because more righthanders started against the Mets than lefthanders. Howard Johnson, a switch-hitter, played against righthanders, against whom he hit .262, 104 points higher than he hit against southpaws.

*****

National League Cy Young Award winner Dwight Gooden's injured ankle was his left, not his right, as previously reported.

Staub was a recipient of the Thurman Munson Award for his work with retarded children.