Best of the Mets

[batmagadanleadoff]

Best of the Mets. The Pete Best, that is:

"After the [1968] season, [Phil] Linz was released again, and decided it was time to call it a career. 'Hodges called me in '69,' [Linz] recalled, and said, 'Come to spring training. You'll be our utility guy. We've got Al Weis and you'll be our second utility guy.' I thanked Gil but told him I was tired of sitting on the bench for a ninth place team".

from The Amazin' Mets: 1962-1969, Ryczkek, William J.

[Edgy MD]

"No, seriously. Yogi really wants you around."

[batmagadanleadoff]

That's how much Linz knew: there weren't gonna be any ninth place teams in 1969.

[Vic Sage]

george foster in 86.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Ed Lynch, who was traded in June 1986 and was quoted as saying "It's like living with a family all year and they throw you out on Christmas."

[Edgy MD]

Xavier Nady, too, who was invited to the clinching party while the Mets were playing the Pirates, and instead helped the Pirates delay their clinching for several days.

[G-Fafif]

Other Bests:

Ron Gardenhire, Met from 1981 to 1985, cut late in Spring Training '86, spent season at Tidewater. Traded to Minnesota on the eve of the next season, which seemed to set up his post-playing career nicely.

Last cut for postseason roster in 1969: Bobby Pfeil (though the Secret Service borrowed his glove to protect Mrs. Nixon from foul balls at Memorial Stadium); in 1986 (with 24-man roster in effect): John Gibbons.

Ever so slightly bitter about being offed in 1986 despite starting the season as Gary Carter's backup: Barry Lyons, who was quick to bring it up when I got to speak to him for a spell at Citi Field last September.

Special Best supporting player award should go to Jim Gosger, on the roster in both '69 and '73, nowhere near postseason eligibility either time.

[Edgy MD]

Gotta give a special donut to Rick Anderson, sent down at the very end of August 19896 to get Kevin Elster eligible for the post-season roster as Rafael Santana insurance. They had gone all year with the likes of Mitchell and Johnson backing up at shortstop, getting so far ahead so early that it never occurred to them up until that point (does it occur to anybody) to file for Rafael Santana insurance.

Anderson probably never even went down except on paper, but rather got recalled with the September roster expansion. He stayed with the team as batting practice pitcher and probably got a full post-season share.

I guess it would have been cool if the Beatles kept Pete Best around as a drum technician roadie.