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Remembering Mets History (1972) Willie Mays Returns to New York & the First Place Mets Go On a Franchise Record Eleven Game Win Streak

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background: The 1972 New York Mets started the season without their beloved manager Gil Hodges, as Hodges passed away from an untimely fatal heart attack at the end of Spring Training. The organization was in shock.  Mets coach, Yogi Berra was the popular choice getting named the teams fourth manager. The better baseball choice would have been Whitey Herzog, the Mets head of minor league player development.  That year the Mets traded away the hard throwing Nolan Ryan, to the California Angels for Jim Fregosi. In new York, Ryan was not happy, his pitching was brilliant at times but wild at other times. He still hadn't developed into the Hall of Fame legend he became.  Jim Fregosi a former All All Star was brought in for power but was past his best years. This was one of the worst trades of its era. The Mets also brought in All Star Rusty Staub from Montreal, but gave up three good young players in Ken Singleton, Tim Foli & Mike Jorgensen. Staub would break h...
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Bobby Valentine's Playing Career (1969 -1979)

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Robert John Valentine was Born May 13, 1950, in Stamford, Connecticut. The five-foot ten right hand hitting Valentine was a star baseball & football player at Rippowam, High School in Stamford. Trivia: Valentine is considered to be one of the best high school athletes in the sports history in the state of Connecticut. He is the only player to have his number retired in both sports at his high school. In football he was a half back & in baseball a versatile fielder that could play anywhere while hitting the ball all over the field. He was recruited by the University of Nebraska, Duke, Notre Dame & the University of Southern California. But in 1969, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. In 1968 with the A ball Ogden Dodgers his manager was Tommy Lasorda who became his mentor & life long friend. On that team Bobby played alongside  Steve Garvey & Bill Buckner . PCL's MVP: In 1970 at AA Spokane, Valentine hit 19 HRs with 80 RBIs ...
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