A powerful righthanded slugger whose bat often sailed across the infield as he swung at pitches and missed, Johnson holds the ML record for pinch home runs with 20, including an Astro-record 5 in his first full season. Without the designated hitter rule, Johnson struggled in the NL, never settling at a defensive position and leading the ML in passed balls in 1976 in only 66 games at catcher. Traded to the Yankees on June 15, 1977, Heathcliff blasted three home runs against the Blue Jays 15 days later, including two in the 8th inning. In 1979 he broke the thumb of teammate and Yankee bullpen ace Rich Gossage in a locker room scuffle and was traded to Cleveland. After 1980 the smart, patient hitter was primarily a DH.
