Ron Swoboda's World Series Catch in Quotes

Game 4 of the 1969 World Series, Mets up two to one in the Series against the Orioles. Top of the 9th inning, the great Tom Seaver on the mound, Mets up 1-0, but the Orioles have runners on the corners with one out. Future Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson is up and he hits a sinking line drive to right field. Appears to be a sure hit, but out of nowhere comes Ron Swoboda to make a sliding grab--one of the greatest catches in World Series history (certainly in Mets history). The Orioles did tie the score on the play, but the Mets ended up winning it in the 10th inning on the J.C. Martin bunt and bad throw by Pete Rickert. Without the catch, the series could have broken bad for the Mets, but instead they win in five and become a story for the baseball ages.

When you hear the game being announced, Curt Gowdy underplays the significance of the catch. He spends much of the play talking about what a savvy player Frank Robinson was in scoring from third base on the sacrifice fly (Yes, Frank Robinson was a very savvy and great player but really any knuckle brain should have scored from third on that play).

Here are some great quotes about the Ron Swoboda Catch:

"Some people had a career, I had a catch."
--Ron Swoboda

"How long have I got left?"
--Ron Swoboda, after being asked for how many years could he talk about 'The Catch'

"I was an average player who made a great play."
--Ron Swoboda

Tommie Agee Hits One of Longest Home Run at Shea

One of the greatest home runs in Mets history came off the bat of Tommie Agee on April 10th, 1969. It hit the Upper Deck at Shea Stadium--one of the most monstrous home runs ever hit at Shea Stadium. Unfortunately the game was not televised so there is no video of the home run, but there are some great quotes about Tommie Agee's Upper Deck Home run.

"It would have hit the bus in the parking lot if it hadn't hit the seats."
--Ron Swoboda

"A lot of times you don't watch 'em. That one I had to watch because I knew it was hit pretty good."
--Larry Jaster, the pitcher who gave up the home run to Agee

"It wasn't coming down when it his those seats--it was just a line drive that kept on going."
--Bud Harrelson

Of course Agee was an all-time great Met known for those two incredible catches in the 1969 World Series, but he also was a terrific hitter and fielder. In 1969, he actually finished 6th in the MVP balloting.

Here is a clip from the 1969 World Series featuring the great catches of Tommie Agee,

Val Pascucci Would Own New York

Can you imagine if Val Pascucci made the team and really contributed. What a great story that would be----His size, his story, his name---we would have Valmania in New York.

People love heavyweight power guys. Pascucci is 6'6, 270. You can't get much bigger then that in major league baseball. He has an incredible amount of power and can hit a homer in every park including Yellowstone (I stole an old quote said about Harmon Killebrew).

Plus he's got a great back story as a career minor leaguer with Crash Davis (love those Bull Durham references) like home run numbers. On top of that he's got a great name.

I tell you the guy would own New York. Get those Valmania shirts, Pasucci Power hats,  Pascucci Pizza, etc. Possibilities are endless. Remember, if he makes it big, you heard it here first.

R.A. Dickey and Second and Third Acts

Even though R.A. Dickey didn't pitch well yesterday, it is hard to be upset. Early spring training--who cares. Early spring training for pitchers is only relevant for young guys--Matt Harvey or comebacks after major injuries--Johan. Though I didn't see yesterday's game--it got me thinking that there is no sport like baseball for second, third or even fourth acts. I mean the starting pitchers were R.A. Dickey and Chien Ming Wang--they have had more acts then Hamlet.

On top of that, I saw that Bartolo Colon pitched well for the A's yesterday. I mean Bartolo Colon is older then Chuck Hinton (looking for obscure Indians reference). There are a lot of reasons I love baseball and the love of comebacks of aging players is one of them.

R.A. Dickey is an incredible story. He was basically in the baseball scrap heaps until he developed and controlled his knuckle ball. Now, when he has it going, he is one of the toughest pitchers in baseball. Last year's record obscured the fact that he actually was very effective in a lot of his starts and had minimal run support (I know that is a shock with that potent Met offense). Plus he seems like a good guy which means a lot to me.

Maybe if things go South early this year, the Mets can tender some contracts to some former players. Heard that Mike Vail can still hit the ball, John Stearns (his nickname of Dude was way ahead of its time) can still steal a base especially for a catcher, Pat Zachary can  give you some long relief innings--the possibilities are limitless.

Mets Should Sign Chris Young

I have always been a Chris Young fan since his days in San Diego. Even in his early years in Texas, he showed some real potential. But what I most remember is his 2006, 11-5 record with the Padres. His E.R.A was 3.46. Down the stretch when the Padres made their run, he was virtually unhittable. He became their number one guy. Even in 2007, he put up some terrific numbers with a 3.12 E.R.A. The reality is that since 2006, he has only pitched a little over four hundred innings and his one Met start last year was a terrific one.

We all know about the injuries. Believe me, I was a huge fan last year and knew that it was a harbinger for the Mets season when he went down after the first start. But isn't it worth a flyer to grab him on the cheap?  I still believe he has got terrific stuff and can play a significant role when healthy. Also, as a Princeton grad, this is the year for Ivy Leaguers in New York Sports. I hope the Mets pick him up. It is not a huge gamble on their part and can pay some nice dividends.

Mike Pelfrey Spring Training Debut

Mike Pelfrey had a tough game yesterday and as predicted the comments are already out there (the most obvious being that he is already in mid-season form). I know we are in a social media world where we over analyze everything, but the idea of analyzing a first spring training start is ridiculous. The only time it makes sense is when someone is coming off a major injury (like Johan) or there is a young phenom you are dying to see (like Harvey and Wheeler).

Like all Met fans, I have suffered through the maddening inconsistency of Pelfrey. Please though lets not look at yesterday as any kind of harbinger for the future. Otherwise, we will be in for a long year before spring training even ends.

The Greatest Mets By Position in History

Who do you think are the greatest Mets player position by position? Check out my list. Please share your opinion.

First Base---Keith Hernandez
Second Base--Edgardo Alfonzo (Felix Millan gets honorable mention)
Shortstop--Jose Reyes
Third Base--David Wright
Left Field--Cleon Jones
Center Field---Tommie Agee
Right Field--Darryl Strawberry
Catcher--Mike Piazza (just ahead of Gary Carter)
Starting Pitcher--Tom Seaver (though give me the first two year of Doc Gooden and I would compare him favorably to any pitcher in history)
Relief Pitcher--John Franco (Tug McGraw gets honorable mention)
Manager--Gil Hodges

Please share your list.