RIP David West, 1964-2022

[G-Fafif]

Top Mets pitching prospect as 1988 ended, went with Aguilera and Tapani in the Viola deal. Pitched in the 1991 and 1993 World Series.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Damn

[MFS62]

Sad.

RIP

Later

[Edgy MD]

I first remember him from a profile one of the local stations shot circa 1985 when anything Metsican was news. The Mets apparently had this up-and-coming prospect who loosened up before games by catching and throwing Frisbee-brand flying discs with his feet.



Pulled off a 10-year career, including a return to the division with the Phillies in 1996-1998 where he teamed with Ruben, Jr.

[G-Fafif]

I believe Rick Ownbey the Frisbee guy, though surety he needed someone to throw it back.



https://issuu.com/cliftonmerchantmagazine/docs/clifton_merchant_magazine_-_october_bb2cdb7eebe8fd/57https://issuu.com/cliftonmerchantmagazine/docs/clifton_merchant_magazine_-_october_bb2cdb7eebe8fd/57

[Edgy MD]

Man, did I really Ownbey David West?



I need to be chastened. And I possibly need to electrify the metsmory center of my brain.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I just assumed this guy was going to be the bomb having followed so many successful young pitchers they brought up. I remember the summer of 89 when they called him up but it turned out to be a showcase

[Frayed Knot]

Cashen later admitted, or at least claimed after the fact, that the Mets purposely hyped West's rep in anticipation of a touted pitcher who's also a 6' 6" Lefty would make for good trade bait.

[Met Hunter]

Phil Lombardi, Jeff Innis and David West were teammates in Tidewater in 1988 and the Mets in 1989 and all passed within a 360 day period.

[Edgy MD]

Jeff McKnight also representing those squads in the hereafter.

[Met Hunter]

Yes. Jeff like his ML dad Jim died before his time. All in their 50s.

[vtmet7]

RIP...not sure if the Phillies Veteran Stadium Brain Cancer theory had been discussed or not here in the past...



https://thatballsouttahere.com/2022/05/14/phillies-veterans-stadium-cancer-david-west/https://thatballsouttahere.com/2022/05/14/phillies-veterans-stadium-cancer-david-west/

[Edgy MD]

Certainly seems like there's too much to ignore, even if the links are speculative.



I guess some additional information might be gleaned from looking at the Vet's other tenants from the NFL, the USFL, and the NASL, though those players would have had far less exposure.

[vtmet7]

I remember going to a Saturday afternoon game at the Vet in 1985. It was hotter than hell at field level.