Bob Aspromonte – His New York Mets Career 1971

Bob Aspromonte a 3^rd baseman who started his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956 ended it in 1971 with the Mets.  He was the last Brooklyn Dodger to play in the majors.

The Mets acquired the native Brooklynite on December 1, 1970 from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Ron Herbel.  Despite hitting just .225 for the Mets Aspromonte became somewhat of a fan favorite for the 1971 Mets.  He would play in 104 games hitting 5 home runs while driving in 33.

His best game with the Mets occurred on May 18 against his former team the Atlanta Braves.  He hit 2 home runs and drove in 3 runs.

The Mets released him following the season ending his playing career.

While with the Mets Aspromonte wore number 2.

Bob Aspromonte also played for the following teams:
Brooklyn Dodgers – 1956
Los Angeles Dodgers – 1960,1961
Houston Astros – 1962-1968
Atlanta Braves – 1969,1970

Ken Singleton – His New York Mets Career 1970,1971

A native New Yorker, Ken Singleton was drafted by the Mets with the third overall pick in the 1967 free agent draft.   After working his way through the Mets minor league system Singleton made his Major League debut on June 24, 1970, he went 0-4 as the Mets starting leftfielder. He finished out the season as a regular member of the Mets outfield and hit .263 with 5 home runs and 26 RBIs. 

Singleton spent the entire 1971 season with the Mets as their regular right fielder.  His average dipped to .245 but he still managed to hit 13 home runs with 46 RBIs.  On the final day of the season Singleton hit 2 home runs against the St Louis Cardinals.  It turned out to be his last appearance in a Mets uniform.  Following the season the Mets traded Singleton to the Montreal Expos along with Tim Foli and Mike Jorgensen in exchange for Rusty Staub.

In 1 ½ seasons with the Mets Ken Singleton appeared in 184 games hit .252 with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs.   

While with the Mets Singleton wore number 29.

Ken Singleton also played for the following teams:
Montreal Expos – 1972-1974
Baltimore Orioles – 1975-1984

Francisco Estrada- His New York Mets Career 1971

Selected by the Mets in the 5^th round of the 1971 free agent draft, catcher Francisco Estrada spent the 1971 season in the minors before being recalled to the big club in September.  He would make his Major League debut on September 14 replacing Jerry Grote in the 5^th inning against the Montreal Expos.  Estrada would single in his first big league at bat and finished the game 1-2.  It would be his only appearance with the Mets, following the season, he was part of one of the most infamous trades in franchise history.  He was traded to the California Angels along with Leroy Stanton, Don Rose and Nolan Ryan in exchange for third baseman Jim Fregosi.

His one appearance with the Mets in 1971 would be his only major league appearance. 

While with the Mets Estrada wore number 5.

Buzz Capra – His New York Mets Career 1971,1972,1973

Right-handed pitcher Buzz Capra was selected by the Mets in the 27^th round of the 1969 free agent draft.  He made his major league debut with the Mets on September 15, 1971 against the Chicago Cubs, pitching four innings of relief in the Mets 6-2 loss, he allowed 1 unearned run while striking out 4.  He would appear in 3 games down the stretch for the Mets posting an 0-1 record with an 8.44 ERA in 5 1/3 innings.

Capra, started the 1972 season with the Mets and would appear in 14 games, 6 as a starter before being demoted to the minors in July.  He earned his first major league win on April 25th against the San Diego Padres.  As the starting pitcher, he allowed 1 run over 6 innings in the Mets 2-1 victory. At the time of his demotion Capra had a 3-2 record with a 4.58 ERA.

Capra started the 1973 season in the minors before joining the Mets in June.  Capra would appear in 24 games out of the bullpen and posted a 2-7 record with 4 saves and a 3.86 ERA.

He earned the save in a crucial game on September 18 against the Pittsburgh Pirates to keep the Mets in the National League Eastern Division race, a division the Mets would eventually win.  He entered the game in the bottom of the 9^th with the winning and go ahead runs on base and closed out the Mets 6-5 win.

Following the season the Mets sold Capra to the Atlanta Braves where he finished out his career.

In parts of 3 seasons for the Mets Capra appeared in 41 games, 6 as a starter and posted a 5-10 record with 4 saves and a 4.49 ERA.

While with the Mets Capra wore number 38.              

Buzz Capra also played for the Atlanta Braves – 1974-1977.