Yesterday I wondered out loud why Yogi Berra would unretire in 1965 for 9 ABs and then retire/get released/whatever in May.
Greg Prince from Faith & Fear In Flushing hooks us up with the answer.
Per the OUTSTANDING book, “The Amazing Mets, 1962-1969″ by William J. Ryczek, Casey got desperate for some offense out of the catching position and prevailed upon Yogi, his first base coach, to come out of retirement. He had hit in batting practice and Spring Training, so he gave it a go. He knew he didn’t really have it anymore, so he asked for his official release from playing. In those days, teams carried 28 players for the first month of the season, then cut down to 25. Yogi was one of the cutdowns and he amiably trotted back to the first base box.
Ah…that actually makes sense, which is odd since the Mets are involved.
I recall sometime in the mid 80’s that the Mets had a crux of injuries/roster move issues and (whatever the circumstances were) they considered activating third base coach Buddy Harrelson as the super-disaster shortstop. Anyone out there recall?
I think it’s a little odd for us youngsters to understand the whole early 1960’s Mets thing where it was somehow cool for old New York players to play for the Mets.
Greg rules…as you shall see in the 10am post.
