This is a big travel week for me, so I’ve written a few things in advance to keep things going while I’m on planes. A few weeks back the Post referenced Tim Leary, and Tim’s tale still haunts me. I stumbled across this article from the Times dated April 22, 1981 – and here’s a few things to stir the memories.
The right-hander made the jump from Class AA ball to the major leagues after an impressive spring training in which he pitched 18 innings with four runs (three earned), 13 hits, 13 strikeouts, three walks and a 1.50 earned-run average. He made his first regularseason start on April 12 in Chicago, pitching two innings and striking out three before leaving the game with a muscle strain on the inside of his right elbow. Still Feels Pain
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Meanwhile, Torre said that John Stearns, the catcher, was still a couple of days away from being ready to play, probably at third base to start. Lee Mazzilli, who missed Sunday’s doubleheader because of a sore back, is feeling better after treatment with cortisone and is expected to play in Pittsburgh tonight.
Stearns at third? I don’t recall that. Tim Leary never did become a star with the Mets. His promise would be fufilled (at least for a while) by a kid named Dwight Gooden a few years later.
Tim’s story would make a great episode of How I Met The Mets if SNY ever takes me up on my wonderful idea. SNY guys (Matt) I don’t want money, I just want to watch the darn thing.
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Ha! I forgot about that Tim Leary. So much so that I thought you were talking about the Tim Leary of LSD lore.