Greenville Mets
Encyclopedia
The Greenville Mets was the name of an American
minor league baseball
franchise representing Greenville, South Carolina
, that played for the and seasons in the Class A Western Carolinas League
. It played its home games at Meadowbrook Park and produced future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
and strikeout
king Nolan Ryan
as well as another hurler, Jerry Koosman
, who would go on to star on the New York Mets
' 1969
"Miracle Mets" team.
Greenville was represented in the WCL from 1963–1972, taking its nicknames from its various parent organizations. The Mets succeeded the Milwaukee Braves
as the Major League Baseball
parents of the Greenville franchise after the campaign. Koosman played on the 1965 club, posting a lacklustre 5-11 won/lost record and an earned run average
of 4.71. But Ryan dominated the 1966 Western Carolinas League. He won 17 games, lost only two, and struck out 272 batters in 183 innings pitched. The Greenville Mets also produced future MLB players Duffy Dyer
, Ed Figueroa
and Dick Selma
, among others.
The Mets moved to the Florida State League
in 1967 and the Boston Red Sox
became parents of the Greenville WCL club.
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|- style="background: #F2F2F2;"
! Year !! Record !! Finish !! Attendance !! Manager
|- align=center
| 1965
|| 44-80 || Eighth || 30,250 || Ken Deal
|- align=center
| 1966
|| 86-40 || Second || 59,078 || Pete Pavlick
|}
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
franchise representing Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
, that played for the and seasons in the Class A Western Carolinas League
Western Carolinas League
The Western Carolinas League was a Class D and a low Class A full-season league in American minor league baseball. The WCL changed its name prior to the 1980 season and has been known since as the South Atlantic League, a highly successful low Class A circuit with teams up the Eastern Seaboard...
. It played its home games at Meadowbrook Park and produced future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
and strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
king Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
as well as another hurler, 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...
, who would go on to star on the New York Mets
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...
' 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...
"Miracle Mets" team.
Greenville was represented in the WCL from 1963–1972, taking its nicknames from its various parent organizations. The Mets succeeded the Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The 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....
as the Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
parents of the Greenville franchise after the campaign. Koosman played on the 1965 club, posting a lacklustre 5-11 won/lost record and an earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 4.71. But Ryan dominated the 1966 Western Carolinas League. He won 17 games, lost only two, and struck out 272 batters in 183 innings pitched. The Greenville Mets also produced future MLB players Duffy Dyer
Duffy Dyer
Donald 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...
, Ed Figueroa
Ed Figueroa
Eduardo Figueroa Padilla , is a former Major League Baseball player. He holds the distinction of being the only pitcher from Puerto Rico to win twenty games in a season.-USMC:...
and Dick Selma
Dick Selma
Richard Jay Selma was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1965-1974...
, among others.
The Mets moved to the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
in 1967 and the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
became parents of the Greenville WCL club.
{|border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #F9F9F9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;"
|- style="background: #F2F2F2;"
! Year !! Record !! Finish !! Attendance !! Manager
|- align=center
| 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
|| 44-80 || Eighth || 30,250 || Ken Deal
Ken Deal
Kenneth Eugene Deal was an American pitcher and manager in minor league baseball. As a pitcher, he twice won more than 20 games . During a 16-year career he won 121 games, losing 95 and compiled an earned run average of 3.24...
|- align=center
| 1966
1966 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Frank Robinson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 12 at Busch Stadium: National League, 2–1 ; Brooks Robinson, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Ohio State...
|| 86-40 || Second || 59,078 || Pete Pavlick
Pete Pavlick
Peter Pavlick, Jr. was a minor league baseball manager who is notable for leading the Georgia State League's Sandersville Giants to a co-league championship in 1955...
|}