As you may or may not have enjoyed your Tuesdays with Frank (sounds like a book I once read), I have decided to change things up a little. Here at Mets360 we love the New York Mets and their history. It is with that fact serving as a backdrop, that we are pleased to introduce a new bat to the weekly lineup. We will celebrate Mets history by reminiscing each week about events and people in Mets lore. This is the first edition of the first season of “This Week in Mets History”. Take a walk down memory lane with us.
January 14, 1970 – Architect of Miracle Mets passes
The man that built the 1969 Miracle Mets, Johnnie Murphy, passed away on this date in 1970 from a heart attack. He was responsible for acquiring Gil Hodges, then player/manager of the Washington Senators. His promotion to GM coincided with the promotion of Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Tug McGraw and Nolan Ryan, among others, to the Major League level. He lived long enough to see his beloved upstarts make history and shock the baseball world.
January 15, 2010 – Maine re-signs with the Mets
John Maine makes a return to Queens when he signs a one year, $3.3 Million deal with the Mets. He started just nine games and posted an abysmal 6.13 ERA to match an equally bad 1-3 record. He has not pitched a Major League game since.
January 16, 2003 – Gary Carter is elected into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame
While there was a small controversy over Cooperstown choosing a Montreal Expos cap for his plaque, Mets fans will always remember him for the great energy he possessed and the determination in that magical Game 6 in 1986 where he refused to be the last out. He later became a coach in the organization until he passed away from cancer last year. He is still mourned and remembered by fans and players worldwide.