The Post has a fun article on all the hyped Mets prospects over the years including my fave Lee Mazzilli:
LEE MAZZILLI
Position: OF/1B
Age at debut: 21
First game: Sept. 7, 1976, at Wrigley Field; went 0-for-1 after entering the game in left field in the seventh inning.
The hype: The Mets took the Brooklyn-born Mazzilli with the 14th pick of the 1973 draft. He stole seven bases in a minor league game and made the leap to the majors right from Double-A. As the franchise entered its darkest days, local boy Mazzilli offered a glimmer of hope.
The reality: Became an everyday player in 1977 and made the All-Star team in ’79. Developed into a solid player and fan favorite but never developed into a superstar. Dealt before the 1982 season to Texas for minor league pitchers Ron Darling and Walt Terrell. Returned to the Mets in the middle of the 1986 season and became a key bench player for the championship team.
My friend who came with me to Citi Field the other night who thought I was being over-protective when I wanted Johan out after the 41 pitch inning, and short inning at bat would be wise to study up on Tim Leary who is also mentioned in the article:
Strained a muscle in his right elbow two innings into his major league debut and did not pitch again in the big leagues until 1983.
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