1975 New York Mets season
Encyclopedia
The New York Mets
season was the 14th regular season for the Mets, who played their home games at Shea Stadium
. Initially led by manager Yogi Berra
followed by Roy McMillan
, the team had an 82-80 record yielding a third-place finish in the National League
's Eastern Division
.
season, changes were made to make the team better. On February 28, the Mets scored a coup. For cash estimated at around $100,000, they acquired the San Francisco Giants
' explosive home run hitter, Dave Kingman
. A moody but undeniable talent, Kingman had batted just .223 for San Francisco in 1974, striking out every third at-bat, but many of his 18 home runs had traveled breathtaking distances. Kingman, the Mets hoped, would provide the home run power the club lacked, as well as generate some excitement.
The Mets were indeed stronger in 1975. Their .256 batting average was the highest in club history, and Kingman did supply some wallop with a then team-record 36 home runs, while Rusty Staub
's 105 RBIs made him the first Met to drive in 100. Again the club's greatest strength lay in its pitching, topped by Tom Seaver
's 22-9 record, good enough for a third Cy Young Award
. Jerry Koosman
was 14-13 and Jon Matlack
16-12, but after that no one won more than seven. It all added up to an 82-80 season and a tie for third.
on August 6. His replacement for the rest of the season was coach Roy McMillan
. Also gone, a week earlier, was Cleon Jones
, released outright. The mythmakers of 1969
were rapidly thinning out.
As the season rolled to an end, there was a quick succession of news stories impinging on the Mets. On September 29, Casey Stengel
died of cancer in California
at the age of 85. A few days later, on October 4, the club's popular "godmother" and principal owner, Mrs. Joan Payson, died at the age of 72. If death delineates history, then the Mets' historical past was beginning to take shape, 13 years after their origin.
In between these two passings, on October 3 the club announced the hiring of their fifth full-time manager. The new man was Joe Frazier
, former major league infielder and manager of the Tidewater Tides in 1975. Frazier was the first Mets skipper without some connection with New York's baseball past, and the first to be promoted from within. Frazier had led the Tides, the Mets' top farm club, to a first-place finish in the International League
, earning him the Sporting News award for Minor League Manager of the Year.
All-Star Game
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
season was the 14th regular season for the Mets, who played their home games at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
. Initially led by manager Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
followed by Roy McMillan
Roy McMillan
Roy David McMillan was a shortstop, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. From 1951 through 1966, McMillan played for the Cincinnati Reds , Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets . He batted and threw right-handed...
, the team had an 82-80 record yielding a third-place finish in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
's Eastern Division
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
.
Offseason
- October 22, 1974: Duffy DyerDuffy DyerDonald Robert "Duffy" Dyer is a former American professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the New York Mets , Pittsburgh Pirates , Montreal Expos , and Detroit Tigers .-Playing career:Dyer played alongside Sal Bando and Rick Monday as a member of...
was traded by the Mets to the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for Gene ClinesGene ClinesEugene Anthony Clines is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball, Clines played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , New York Mets , Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs . He was also the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs from 2005-2006...
. - December 3, 1974: Tug McGrawTug McGrawFrank Edwin "Tug" McGraw Jr. was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher and the father of Country music singer Tim McGraw and actor/TV personality Mark McGraw and Cari McGraw...
, Don HahnDon HahnDon Hahn is an American film producer who has produced some of the most successful Walt Disney animated films of the past 20 years. He currently owns his own film production company called Stone Circle Pictures.-Early life:...
, and Dave SchneckDave SchneckDavid Lee Schneck is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of three seasons, from until , with the New York Mets....
were traded by the Mets to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Del UnserDel UnserDelbert Bernard Unser is a retired Major League Baseball center fielder and utility player who had a 15-year career from 1968 to 1982. Unser played for the Washington Senators from 1968 to 1971 and the Cleveland Indians in 1972...
, Mac ScarceMac ScarceMac Scarce is a former baseball player who played in parts of 5 seasons from 1972–1978. During his short career, the 6' 3" lefty pitched primarily for the Philadelphia Phillies, as well as appearing briefly with the New York Mets and the Minnesota Twins...
and John StearnsJohn StearnsJohn Hardin Stearns is a former major league catcher who played for the New York Mets from to , and played a single game for the Philadelphia Phillies in ....
. - January 9, 1975: Greg Harris was drafted by the Mets in the 4th round of the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft1975 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1975 Major League Baseball draft..Many baseball draft experts consider the 1975 draft to be the weakest in MLB history.- External links :*- References :...
(Secondary Phase), but did not sign.
Season summary
After the Mets forgettable 19741974 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the 13th regular season for the Mets, who played home games at Shea Stadium. Led by manager Yogi Berra, the team had a 71-91 record yielding a fifth place finish in the National League East.- Offseason :...
season, changes were made to make the team better. On February 28, the Mets scored a coup. For cash estimated at around $100,000, they acquired the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
' explosive home run hitter, Dave Kingman
Dave Kingman
David Arthur Kingman , nicknamed "Kong" and "Sky King", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter. The towering 6' 6" Kingman was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1970s and 1980s...
. A moody but undeniable talent, Kingman had batted just .223 for San Francisco in 1974, striking out every third at-bat, but many of his 18 home runs had traveled breathtaking distances. Kingman, the Mets hoped, would provide the home run power the club lacked, as well as generate some excitement.
The Mets were indeed stronger in 1975. Their .256 batting average was the highest in club history, and Kingman did supply some wallop with a then team-record 36 home runs, while Rusty Staub
Rusty Staub
Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
's 105 RBIs made him the first Met to drive in 100. Again the club's greatest strength lay in its pitching, topped by Tom Seaver
Tom Seaver
George Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
's 22-9 record, good enough for a third Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
. Jerry Koosman
Jerry Koosman
Jerome Martin Koosman is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies between 1967 and 1985...
was 14-13 and Jon Matlack
Jon Matlack
Jonathan Trumpbour Matlack is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
16-12, but after that no one won more than seven. It all added up to an 82-80 season and a tie for third.
Firings and tragedies
The Mets' 82-80 season also added up to the dismissal of manger Yogi BerraYogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
on August 6. His replacement for the rest of the season was coach Roy McMillan
Roy McMillan
Roy David McMillan was a shortstop, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. From 1951 through 1966, McMillan played for the Cincinnati Reds , Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets . He batted and threw right-handed...
. Also gone, a week earlier, was Cleon Jones
Cleon Jones
Cleon Joseph Jones is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who is best remembered as the man who caught the final out of the "Miracle Mets" improbable World Series Championship over the Baltimore Orioles....
, released outright. The mythmakers of 1969
1969 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the eighth season for the Mets franchise, which played its home games at Shea Stadium. Managed by Gil Hodges, the team went 100-62, finishing first in the newly-established National League East by eight games over the Chicago Cubs...
were rapidly thinning out.
As the season rolled to an end, there was a quick succession of news stories impinging on the Mets. On September 29, Casey Stengel
Casey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
died of cancer in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
at the age of 85. A few days later, on October 4, the club's popular "godmother" and principal owner, Mrs. Joan Payson, died at the age of 72. If death delineates history, then the Mets' historical past was beginning to take shape, 13 years after their origin.
In between these two passings, on October 3 the club announced the hiring of their fifth full-time manager. The new man was Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier (baseball)
Joseph Filmore Frazier was a former outfielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was signed as an amateur free agent in 1941, but did not play in the major leagues until 1947. After 1947, he spent parts of three seasons in the 1950s, primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals...
, former major league infielder and manager of the Tidewater Tides in 1975. Frazier was the first Mets skipper without some connection with New York's baseball past, and the first to be promoted from within. Frazier had led the Tides, the Mets' top farm club, to a first-place finish in the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
, earning him the Sporting News award for Minor League Manager of the Year.
Notable transactions
- April 4, 1975: Joe NolanJoe NolanJoseph D J Nolan. , spent eleven seasons in the Major Leagues as a catcher with the New York Mets , Atlanta Braves , Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles...
was traded by the Mets to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Leo FosterLeo FosterLeonard Norris Foster is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He played all or part of five major league seasons between and , playing mostly at shortstop, second base, and third base, for the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets.-Sources:...
. - April 12, 1975: Jesús AlouJesús AlouJesús María Rojas Alou is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. During a 17-year baseball career, he played for the San Francisco Giants , Houston Astros , Oakland Athletics , and New York Mets...
was signed as a free agent by the Mets. - April 25, 1975: Bill LaxtonBill LaxtonWilliam Harry Laxton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Laxton pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and .- Early career :...
was signed as a free agent by the Mets.
Draft picks
- June 3, 1975: Butch BentonButch BentonAlfred Lee "Butch" Benton was a right-handed catcher in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians from 1978 to 1985....
was drafted by the Mets in the 1st round (6th pick) of the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft1975 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1975 Major League Baseball draft..Many baseball draft experts consider the 1975 draft to be the weakest in MLB history.- External links :*- References :...
.
Roster
| 1975 New York Mets | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 162 | 676 | 191 | .283 | 1 | 56 | |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 203 | 46 | .227 | 0 | 10 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 1.49 | 45 | ||
Awards and honors
- Dave KingmanDave KingmanDavid Arthur Kingman , nicknamed "Kong" and "Sky King", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter. The towering 6' 6" Kingman was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1970s and 1980s...
– Player of the Month, July 1975
All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...