…just how do you think Casey Stengel would fare if he had to contend with 21st Century baseball players, media, and fans. Would he still be able to craft a “lovable” image for a perpetually losing team?
I wonder…
Tag: Casey Stengel
Mets Autograph of the Week: Steve Dillon
Pitcher Steve Dillon‘s major league career included just three appearances – one in 1963 and two in 1964.
His final appearance was Dillon’s most memorable – on May 6, 1964, he pitched the final two innings of the first night game at Shea Stadium.
After pitching a perfect eighth inning in which Dillon got future Hall-of-Famer Pete Rose to ground out to shortstop, the Mets’ hurler surrendered a home run to Vada Pinson to start the ninth.
When Dillon returned to the dugout at the end of the inning, Mets manager Casey Stengel told him, “‘Listen, if another player hits a home run off that scoreboard and breaks it, you’re paying for it!'” Dillon recalled to Daily News writer Nicholas Hirshon in 2009.
Greg Goossen: 1945-2011
The Mets alumni family lost another member this weekend. Greg Goosen, a catcher who made his major league debut with the 1965 Mets at the age of 19, died on Saturday at his home in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He was 65.
Goosen did not have a long or illustrious Mets career. Legendary Mets manager Casey Stengel reportedly said about him:
“This is Greg Goossen. He’s 19 years old, and in 10 years he’s got a chance to be 29.”
Goosen also played for the Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Senators before leaving baseball in 1971.
His post-baseball life sounds like it was interesting, though. Goosen was a private detective, was involved in boxing and worked as a stand-in for actor Gene Hackman in a variety of films.
Goosen was to be inducted into the Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High School Hall of Fame the night that he died.
My thoughts are with his family and friends.
[Sources: Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times blog, Baseball-Reference.com, SI Vault]
eBay Watch: Mets autographs for the week ending Oct. 25
Today’s installment of eBay Watch focuses on some signed Mets items that caught my eye.
A pair of game-used batting gloves, signed by Ryan Church, went for $26.77.
An authentic white Mets home jersey signed by Carlos Beltran sold for the bargain price of $88. It includes a certificate of authenticity from Steiner Sports.
Some recent certified autograph cards: A 2005 Donruss Diamond Kings Johan Santana “green” autograph, number 5/5, went for $29.57. A 2007 Topps Triple Threads Jose Reyes card, #30/75, went for $28. A 2003 Bowman Jose Reyes autograph sold for $19.49. A Ray Knight autograph from the newly-released Topps Updates & Highlights Mets Ring of Honor insert set sold for $32.01.
Continue reading “eBay Watch: Mets autographs for the week ending Oct. 25”
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