Three gamers from totally different eras of Mets historical past have joined the listing of members for Outdated-Timers’ Day, scheduled for Aug. 27 at Citi Subject.
The group held a Zoom name Thursday with Billy Wagner, Howard Johnson and Ken MacKenzie, all of whom have dedicated to the occasion. The Mets final held Outdated-Timers’ Day in 1994.
Wagner, the Mets nearer from 2006-09, obtained 51 p.c of the vote on the newest Corridor of Fame poll and has three alternatives at enshrinement remaining. A participant wants 75 p.c of the vote for induction by the Baseball Writers’ Affiliation of America.
“I’m trending in the correct manner and I've obtained plenty of good individuals who have mentioned very nice issues about me,” Wagner mentioned.
The left-hander’s main league debut got here with the Astros towards the Mets at Shea Stadium in 1995. Wagner recalled going through Rico Brogna, who almost homered towards him.
“However who cared?” Wagner mentioned. “It was my main league debut, and I used to be throwing it as onerous as attainable, and plus at that time, I used to be throwing strikes, so all people was all excited.”
Johnson, who performed third base for the Mets’ final World Collection successful group in 1986, had his personal reminiscences of Shea Stadium.
“I keep in mind that stadium being large, and it shook when the folks have been actually riled up,” Johnson mentioned. “Within the World Collection, it was unbelievable what was occurring throughout that Recreation 6, particularly. Only a loud ballpark, not a lot anymore do you hear the airplanes crossing. I feel that was an enormous deal again within the day.”
Amongst Johnson’s notable accomplishments with the Mets was thrice reaching 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in the identical season. Johnson stole a career-high 41 bases in 1989.
“I by no means was the quickest man, however I beloved stealing bases, and my focus nearly all the time was to get on base and attempt to steal, and I had that in me,” Johnson mentioned. “I wished to be that type of participant. If anyone walked me, I might steal and be in scoring place, to attain a run for my group and make them type of pay.”
MacKenzie, 87, was an unique Met — becoming a member of the franchise at its inception in 1962. The lefty managed a successful file (5-4) for a group that misplaced 120 video games.
“We didn’t have an infield that obtained very near floor balls, in order that they didn’t make plenty of errors,” MacKenzie mentioned.
The Mets beforehand introduced a listing of attendees that features Robin Ventura, Jon Matlack, Ron Swoboda and Daniel Murphy, amongst others. Mike Piazza introduced on Twitter his intent to attend. The group will roll out additional attendees because the 12 months progresses.
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