A Welcome Back Question

[MFS62]

While we're waiting to welcome back baseball from the break, who would you say is the best player who left the Mets (free agent or trade) and who later came back to play for the Mets?

And, in case someone was going to post it, please spare us the Welcome Back Kotter theme song.

Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

I assume you mean "best," judging only by their second tours of duty.

There haven't been a lot.of successful ones. Staub stands out.

[MFS62]

Edgy DC wrote: I assume you mean "best," judging only by their second tours of duty.

Yep, that's what I meant.

Later

[stevejrogers]

Tom Seaver as well.

Hubie Brooks had a decent return year IIRC.

[seawolf17]

Burnitz?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Hubie's return at that point seemed pretty ill-advised to me, going .238 / .324 / .409 // .733 in 1991. Not aweful by the standards of the day (107 OPS+), but not what you want out of your rightfielder. And his inability to stay on the field (103 games) gave us a lot more Mark Carreon than we bargained for .

Not where the Mets should have been looking at the time. We already had Vince Coleman to play the oft-injured ourfielder role.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Dave Kingman and Mike Jorgensen both contributed after returning. So did Tim Foli. But Staub is probably the guy to beat.

[HahnSolo]

Mazzilli had some nice moments on his return as well.

[RealityChuck]

Al Jackson helped a bit in the bullpen and Todd Zeile wasn't a bad fill-in, but neither could be called "best."

Bob Miller had a respectable year with the team once he returned. He and Jackson (along with you-know-who) are the only Original Mets to play for a Mets pennant winner.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Gil Hodges and Bobby Valentine had good second tours.

[MFS62]

RealityChuck wrote: He and Jackson (along with you-know-who) are the only Original Mets to play for a Mets pennant winner.

And, original Met player Gil Hodges managed one.

You made me think of Original Mets who had played for another team's pennant winners before joining the Mets. This is what I remember:
Charley Neal - LA '56
Richie Ashburn - Phl '50
Gene Woodling - NYY - several
Roger Craig, Don Zimmer, Gil Hodges - Brooklyn several
Vinegar Bend Mizell - PGH - '60
Jay Hook, Gus Bell - Cincy '61
Hobie Landrith - SF - '62

Later

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Are there any 1962 Mets we can reactivate this year so that they can have a shot at the 2006 World Series?

What's Felix Mantilla up to these days?

[MFS62]

Hey Yancy, I channeled Casey Stengel.
Sorry, that's the best I can do.
LOL!

Later

[RealityChuck]

MFS62 wrote: ="RealityChuck"] He and Jackson (along with you-know-who) are the only Original Mets to play for a Mets pennant winner. And, original Met player Gil Hodges managed one. You made me think of Original Mets who had played for another team's pennant winners before joining the Mets. This is what I remember: Charley Neal - LA '56 Richie Ashburn - Phl '50 Gene Woodling - NYY - several Roger Craig, Don Zimmer, Gil Hodges - Brooklyn several Vinegar Bend Mizell - PGH - '60 Jay Hook, Gus Bell - Cincy '61 Hobie Landrith - SF - '62

Also, Al Jackson and Bob MIller (again).

[Guest Edgy DC]

Yancy Street Gang wrote: What's Felix Mantilla up to these days?

According to some crazy database site I found, you can ask his grandkid.

Jose Mantilla II

April 29, 2003

I call Felix "Grandaddy" because that's what he is to me. It is crazy for me to read or hear about my grandfather's playing days. When I talk with his teammates like Hank or Uecker, they often tell me that he was one of the greatest that they ever played with. I've heard: "One of the only guys who could play any position other than pitcher or catcher at any time," and "one of the first guys to slide head first." I'd also like to point out that not only did he hit 30 homers for the Sox, but he also led the team in RBIs, which is amazing considering one of the greatest men to pick up a bat, Yaz, was his teammate. To Mike, Jose is my father and I'm sure he'd love to talk to you if and only if he remembered you. Members of my family have received weird e-mails recently from people who claim to have been close to our family in the past. E-mail me and we'll chat. If anyone knows how to get any videos of my grandfathers old games please e-mail me. I would like to talk to you.

[MFS62]

You're right. I forgot Jackson was with the '60 Bucs. I shoulda' known that.
And, Miller was with LA when they won the pennant.
Hey, whaddaya' want? That was from memory and as they say, at my age, memory is the second thing to go.
sigh

Later

[RealityChuck]

MFS62 wrote: You're right. I forgot Jackson was with the '60 Bucs. I shoulda' known that.

He was also with the '68 Cardinals.