Blast from the Past

[RealityChuck]

NY Mets 1969 pre-spring-training 40-man roster (from Baseball Digest, April 1969)

(* indicates was on opening day roster as listed in the NY Times)

Pitchers
Jim Bibby
Don Cardwell*
Rich Folkers
Dan Frisella
Gary Gentry*
Bob Hendley
Al Jackson*
Cal Koonce*
Jerry Koosman*
Jom Matlack
Jim McAndrew*
Tug McGraw*
Barry Raziano
Steve Renko
Les Rohr
Nolan Ryan*
Tom Seaver*
Ron Taylor*

Catchers
Duffy Dyer*
Jerry Grote*
J.C. Martin*

Infielders
Ken Boswell*
Ed Charles*
Kevin Collins*
Wayne Garrett*
Bud Harrelson*
Bob Heise
Mike Jorgensen
Ed Kranepool*
Teodoro Martinez
Al Weis*

Outfielders
Tommie Agee*
Tommie Campbell
"Who the hell is" Rod Gaspar*
Cleon Jones*
Amos Otis* (listed as an infielder on opening day roster)
Art Shamsky*
Ken Singleton
Leroy Stanton
Ron Swoboda*

26 were on the opening day roster; the rules allowed an extra man at the beginning of the season.

Most obvious name missing: Donn Clendenon, who was traded to the Mets in June.

Baseball Digest Analysis: Same Old Story -- Mets May Be Last

[Guest KC]

What's (who's) on the cover of that magazine? I'm just curious.

Seaver was on the Nov and the Dec covers.

[RealityChuck]

No picture, just text, listing articles:.

Baseball Digest
Why Tigers, Giants Will Win
Why Bowie Kuhn? Four views
25,000 Player Facts!
Lastest! Most Complete!
Official Rosters -- Player Data
Bonus Issue -- 32 Extra Pages

Back cover had pictures of four new AL managers: Joe Gordon (KC), Billy Marting (Minn), Hank Bauer (Oak) and Joe Schultz (Pilots). The three new NL managers -- Gene Mauch (Mtl), Clyde King (SF), and Preston Gomez (SD) -- were on the inside front cover.