Gary is Gone

On the day '86 Met Howard Johnson officially became the Mets' first-base coach, the agent for another member of Flushing's last World Series champion confirmed his client had left the organization.

Gary Carter, who skippered high-A St. Lucie to the Florida State League title last season, had been offered the managerial position at Double-A Binghamton. Carter, not wanting to partake in the Eastern League's long bus rides, informed Mets officials he preferred to remain with St. Lucie. Told that position was going to Frank Cacciatore, Carter bolted. He already has contacted the Rockies about their Triple-A hitting coach position.

HoJo will be responsible for outfield and base-running instruction with the Mets.

Willie Randolph indicated he also considered Ken Oberkfell and Bobby Meacham for the job. Oberkfell is expected to manage Triple-A New Orleans, while Meacham became the Padres' first-base coach. Sandy Alomar Sr. will shift from first to coaching third.

"I went from the infield to the outfield, so basically I had to learn how to play it," HoJo said. "I played all three (outfield positions) at Shea Stadium. They're all unique."

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