Bill Monbouquette

[Benjamin Grimm]

Former Mets pitching coach has died at the age of 78.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/01/26/monbouquette/iGgwVhOCnuDnmlrekjSRfN/story.html

[Edgy MD]

From the George Bamberger years.

I kind of associate him with Lou Gorman, as he came from Boston as Gorman was leaving for there.

Pete Hamner in the UMDB wrote: I played for Monbo in Wausau, Wisconsin in 1976. We were pretty much horrible, but boy we had a good time. Monbo was a tough s.o.b. That big right forearm, the stories he had were priceless. The one thing he taught me which I've passed on to my son is "the hitter is there to take money out of your pocket, so screw him." Also, "the best 0-2 pitch is right under the chin." Monbo, if you read this, I'm doing good. Those were some long bus rides huh?

[G-Fafif]

George Lazenby.
Steve Patterson.
Bill Monbouquette.

Each succeeded and preceded men much more closely identified with a particular role, whether it was James Bond, UCLA center or Met pitching coach.

[Edgy MD]

Pete Hamner also had Jack Aker as a Mets minor league manager.

[RealityChuck]

I had forgotten he was a Mets coach; I remember mostly as the Red Sox's ace in the 60s.

And that his name translates to mean "My little bouquet."

[Theoldmole]

RIP.