⚾ Howard Johnson's 1986 Time Machine – Episode 16 ⚾

This week on Howard Johnson's 1986 Time Machine, we travel back 40 years to June 9–15, 1986, when the New York Mets continued their domination of the National League, going 6-1, sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates, taking two of three from Philadelphia, and extending their division lead to 10½ games.

Joining Mets Hall of Famer Howard Johnson and host Mark Rosenman is 1986 World Champion pitcher Randy Niemann, whose remarkable journey to the championship roster included injuries, trades, winter ball, years in the minor leagues, and an inspiring comeback that eventually led to a World Series ring.

Randy shares stories about:

⚾ Fighting back from career-threatening injuries

⚾ Rebuilding his career in Puerto Rico and Tidewater

⚾ Earning a spot on one of baseball's deepest teams

⚾ Life as a reliever behind the legendary Mets rotation

⚾ The importance of role players on championship clubs

⚾ Lessons learned from pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre

⚾ His transition from player to longtime pitching coach

Howard Johnson and Randy also discuss how their coaching careers changed the way they view the 1986 Mets, the influence of great coaches like Mel Stottlemyre and Bill Robinson, and the players they coached who reminded them of teammates from that unforgettable championship season.

If you're a Mets fan, baseball history enthusiast, or simply love great baseball stories, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🔹 Hosted by Mark Rosenman

🔹 Featuring Mets Hall of Famer Howard Johnson

🔹 Special Guest: 1986 World Series Champion Randy Niemann

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Step inside the clubhouse of one of the greatest teams in baseball history.

In Episode 15 of Howard Johnson’s 1986 Time Machine, Howard Johnson and Mark Rosenman go beyond the box scores and take fans inside the 1986 Mets locker room — the personalities, chemistry, rituals, leadership, and stories that helped shape a World Championship season.

This week’s episode covers:

⚾ The Mets’ dominant late-May/early-June stretch in 1986

⚾ Sweeping the Dodgers at Shea Stadium

⚾ The energy of Shea during the peak of Mets Mania

⚾ What made the 1986 clubhouse different

⚾ Gary Carter’s leadership and how it complemented Keith Hernandez

⚾ Stories about El Sid, Lee Mazzilli, Bobby Valentine, and more

⚾ Hojo’s memories from coaching and managing in the Mets organization

⚾ A fun rapid-fire “1986 Locker Room Edition”

The conversation also looks back at the recent inductions of Lee Mazzilli and Bobby Valentine into the New York Mets Hall of Fame.

Whether you lived through 1986 or are discovering the magic for the first time, this episode brings fans closer to the people behind one of baseball’s most unforgettable teams.

📍 Howard Johnson will appear at The Main Event in Farmingdale for a special Meet & Greet Dinner on Friday, June 5th. Check the comments for ticket information.

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💬 Drop your favorite 1986 Mets memory in the comments

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Step back into 1986 with Week 14 of the Howard Johnson Time Machine as Mets Hall of Famer Howard Johnson and special guest Doug Sisk relive another critical stretch of the greatest season in Mets history.

This week, we rewind to May 19–25, 1986, as the Mets battle through one of their grittiest road trips of the year. From cold, windy nights at Candlestick Park to tight late-inning battles in San Diego, the Mets prove they can win even when the offense isn’t exploding. HoJo and Doug Sisk take you inside the clubhouse, bullpen, and dugout during a week where championship teams learn how to survive adversity.

⚾ Stories and memories include:

• Doug Sisk’s return to the Mets after injury rehab in Tidewater

• The pressure and unpredictability of pitching at Candlestick Park

• How the bullpen evolved into a championship weapon

• The defensive intensity and gritty identity of the 1986 Mets

• What made Tony Gwynn such a difficult hitter to face

• Keith Hernandez’s leadership during difficult stretches

• Jesse Orosco’s ability to rebound after tough outings

• Davey Johnson’s handling of personalities, platoons, and bullpen roles

• The emotional grind of an 11-game west coast road trip

• Why “winning ugly” may have revealed more about the Mets than the blowouts did

Along the way, HoJo and Doug share behind-the-scenes travel stories, clubhouse chemistry, pitching strategy, and the swagger that helped define one of baseball’s most unforgettable teams.

If you love Mets history, exclusive behind-the-scenes baseball stories, and hearing directly from the players who lived it, this series is for you.

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