This player never appeared on the team’s major league roster although he did work out with the team in September of 1963. His professional career spanned nine seasons (1963-1971) and the highest level of professional ball he reached was AAA (last appearing at Tidewater for 64 games in 1969).
He was Tom Seaver’s first roommate within the organization. Seaver said that he never spoke with him, never heard him, and never ate with him. He was either asleep or gone any time Seaver was in the room.
Despite never playing in the major leagues, he became a celebrity during the team’s inaugural season in 1964 at Shea Stadium wherein the home crowd took to attributing political slogans and party themes in his name. Some buttons were manufactured and sold indicating he was “the Metropolitan Party’s choice for President” while other buttons quoted him as saying, “Extremism in the Defense of the Mets is no Vice”.
Ultimately, it appears he became a middle school teacher in San Antonio, Texas.
The one and only Wilbur Huckle. And I am proud to say I am the owner of a brick bearing his name on Citi Fied’s fan walk.
Gold star there Tom. Im curious, what else accompanies his name on your fan walk brick?
“Wilbur Huckle for President” and then my name.
priceless
Well that didn’t take too long! Huckle it is. I love the slogan, “Extremism in Defense of the Mets is No Vice”.
Where is the brick? I will look for it this year.
I pledge to keep these going until Mr. Parker returns to man the helm again.
It is in Section 12 of the original 20 brick offering sites(2009). As you enter the rotunda, it is on the right side of the entrance.
I got a brick this year to recognize my dad who to me to Shea and my best friend whom I go to Citi with every year. Looking forward to seeing it some time!
My father is the one who bought me the brick and told me the story of Wilbur and the campaign buttons. The original “extremism” quote was from Barry Goldwater (just substitute Liberty for Mets). If I am not mistaken that quote was on a banner for the 1964 Banner Day —–and may have been the winning entry.
Having a brick has been fun—-showing it off to my friends. I go to about 10-15 games a year and touch it for good luck every time I enter the ball park. Certainly worked wonders last year!
The honorable state of Mets360 recognizes Tom, Chris, and Wilbur Huckle.
I have a brick in the original set, too. Just to the right of the main entrance to the rotunda. About 2 & a half million people trod on it last year.