Bob "Hawk" Taylor 1939-2012

[Met Hunter]

Can't find a link. Looks like he passed away Saturday.

Bob was a friend of mine. I helped bring him into the area for a signing some five or so years ago. Class act. Old school gentleman. Hadn't been around in decades. The highlight for him was meeting up with Seaver. Someone he had helped tutor way back when. Seaver couldn't have been more sincere. A couple years later, he was brought back, much to the delight of Joe Torre who was an old Milwaukee Brave with Hawk. Its amazing how an obscure catcher on a cellar dwellar could have such an effect on some big time players. Spoke to him on the phone many times after that. RIP Mr. Taylor.

I have a few pictures, that if I can locate, I'll put on this thread.

[metirish]

Sad news

R.I.P. Mr.Taylor.

[Benjamin Grimm]

UMDB hit leader yesterday. I guess this explains why.

[batmagadanleadoff]

-- pinch hit in the 7th inning of the Mets/Giants marathon 23 inning game; then warmed up Mets pitchers in the bullpen until the 15th inning when the Mets finally ran out of pitchers.

-- struck out in Bunning's perfecto on a pitch Hawk said was six to eight inches wide of the strike zone. According to Hawk, the home plate ump was expanding Bunning's strike zone all game long.

(From The Amazin' Mets, 1962-1969, William Ryczek)

[Edgy MD]

A catcher and a part-time outfielder who I always slipped into thinking of as a centerfielder by trade, because my mind jumps from "Hawk" to "ballhawk."

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I recall reading somewhere that his good looks won him lots of young lady admirers back then, so perhaps an early version of Mazzilli.

[Edgy MD]

According to the Crane Pool Forum, Hawk was:

[list:39d3glgv][*:39d3glgv]An imaginary shopkeeper of the The Mets Mall.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17810&p=460697

[/*:m:39d3glgv]
[*:39d3glgv]The 69th player in Mets history

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/6000/f1_t6036.shtml

[/*:m:39d3glgv]
[*:39d3glgv]An imaginary representative for the theme of The First Series at Shea in Greg's imaginary countdown of Shea's final days.

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/9500/f1_t9599.shtml

[/*:m:39d3glgv]
[*:39d3glgv]The 96th best Met of the 1960s according to our rankings.

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/12900/f1_t12960.shtml

[/*:m:39d3glgv]
[*:39d3glgv]An honmorary member of the Opening Day Out of Position Team.

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/8500/f1_t8556.shtml

[/*:m:39d3glgv]
[*:39d3glgv]In the club (they rarely meet) of Met Opening Day Catchers for One Year Only.

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/7600/f1_t7690.shtml

[/*:m:39d3glgv]
[*:39d3glgv]On the All-Animal Team

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/8200/f1_t8230.shtml

[/*:m:39d3glgv]
[*:39d3glgv]A guy who shared a jersey with Kevin Collins.

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/4500/f1_t4561.shtml

[/*:m:39d3glgv]
[*:39d3glgv]A guy who supposedly got $100,000 to sign.

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/2600/f1_t2618.shtml

[/*:m:39d3glgv]
[*:39d3glgv]The answer to a "Bad Pun Riddle."

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/2000/f1_t2027.shtml

[/*:m:39d3glgv]
[*:39d3glgv]On the All-T Team

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/2000/f1_t2042.shtml

[/*:m:39d3glgv]
[*:39d3glgv]Part of a rare deal with the Angels.

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/100/f15_t177.shtml[/*:m:39d3glgv][/list:u:39d3glgv]

Not a lot of substance. I guess we didn't know Hawk at all, Met Hunter excepted. To him I send my condolences.

[Frayed Knot]

465th best New York Met - oddly falling just one spot behind Sammy Taylor

[G-Fafif]

The first time the Mets won a ballgame in which two Mets homered twice, it was June 20, 1964, the power provided by Hawk Taylor and Joe Christopher. They beat the Phillies, 7-3, at Shea, snapping an eight-game losing streak.

Perhaps sapped by their offensive outburst, the next day's lineup, featuring both Hawk and Joe, succumbed to Bunning's perfection the next day.

[ashie62]

Was an original 1969 KC Royal.

[Edgy MD]

There are a handful of guys like that --- went from expansion team to expansion team and lived with the realities that represented. Of course, it worked out pretty well for Nolan Ryan.

[MFS62]

When the Mets got Sammy Taylor in 1962, I thought they got Hawk. (who, IIRC, was a highly regarded prospect)
Then, when they got Hawk, I was excited.
RIP, Hawk.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

I still haven't found any news report confirming this.

[Bunt the First Two]

We cheered for a Hawk
A Goose and a Stork
A Swan and a Robin
All played for New York

An old Cardenal
A fictional Finch
A Martin named Tom
And a Krane in a pinch

Wendell and Hook
Make a Turk and a Jay
But sadly the nest
Is more empty today

[Edgy MD]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I still haven't found any news report confirming this.

It ain't The Times, but...

[Benjamin Grimm]

Scant obituary, but here it is.