Tommie Agee – His New York Mets Career 1968-1972

On December 15, 1967 the New York Mets acquired Tommie Agee along with Al Weis from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Jack Fisher, Tommy Davis, Billy Wynne and Buddy Booker.

Tommie Agee who had three cups of coffee with the Cleveland Indians from 1962 to 1964 was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 1966 as a member of the White Sox.  But his production fell off the next season and the White Sox decided they had seen enough and shipped him to the Mets.  Though he struggled in his first season in New York (.217 average, 5 HRs and 17 RBIs), he turned out to a god send in helping the Mets win the 1969 World Series. 

In 1969 Tommie Agee got off to a strong start hitting two home runs during the third game of the season against the Montreal Expos, one of which was hit to section 48 of the upper deck in Shea Stadium.  He became the first and only player to hit a home run into the upper deck. Agee would go on to hit .271 while leading the Mets in home runs (26), RBI’s (76) and runs scored (97). 

Even though Agee had a brilliant regular season in 1969, it was his brilliant postseason performance which cemented his legacy in Mets history.  After hitting .357 with two home runs and four RBI’s in the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves, Agee continued his superb play in the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles.

After the Mets split the first two games in Baltimore they returned home looking to win their first World Series title.  Tommie Agee led off game three of the series with a home run off of Baltimore ace and future Hall of Famer Jim Palmer to give the Mets an early 1-0 lead.  A lead they would not relinquish due in large part to the defensive heroics of Agee in centerfield.  Agee made two spectacular catches in centerfield saving at least five runs from scoring.  The Mets would win the game by a score of 5-0 and never looked back as they shocked the world and won their first World Series title.

Agee continued his stellar play in 1970 hitting a career best .286 while once again leading the Mets with 24 home runs and 75 RBIs.  In 1970 Agee also became the first player in franchise history to win a gold glove. 

In 1970 Agee also set the following franchise records, which have all since been broken:

Most At-bats – 636
Most Runs – 107
Most Hits –  182
Most Stolen Bases – 31
Most Total Bases – 298 

Though Agee still led the Mets in 1971 with 14 home runs, sharing the honor with Ed Kranepool and Cleon Jones, knee injuries affected his production in 1971 and 1972 prompting the Mets to trade him to the Houston Astros following the 1972 season.  for Rich Chiles and Buddy Harris.

He would go on to play for the Astros and Cardinals in 1973 but was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 1974 season ending his playing career. 

In five seasons with the Mets Tommie Agee hit .262 with 82 home runs and 265 RBI’s in 661 games.  He also played 8 postseason games hitting .250 with 3 home runs and 5 runs batted in. 

Tommie Agee was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 2002 but unfortunately was not able to enjoy the moment as he passed away in January 2001.

While with the Mets Agee wore number 20.

Tommie Agee also played for the following teams:
Cleveland Indians – 1962-1964
Chicago White Sox – 1965-1967
St, Louis Cardinals – 1973
Houston Astros – 1973

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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

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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.

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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.