Posts

Danny Heep: 1986 World Champion Mets Outfielder / Pinch HItter (1983-1986)

Image
Daniel William Heep was born on July 3, 1957, in San Antonio, Texas. The five foot eleven, left hand hitting Heep, began his baseball career as a pitcher. Heep attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, winning two All American honors, while earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He would eventually be elected to the schools Hall of Fame. Heep was drafted as a second-round pick by the Houston Astros in 1978. In 1979 he was the Southern League’s MVP batting .327 with 21 HRs 30 doubles & 84 RBIs at AA Columbus.  Astros Career: Heep got a late season call up, making his MLB debut on August 31st, against the New York Mets. He went 0-1 as a pinch hitter that day popping out to third base, off pitcher Mets Craig Swan. The next year at AAA Tucson in the Pacific Coast League, Heep batted .343 with 17 HRs playing in 96 games. He got back to the Astros for 33 games that year, where he hit .276. 1980 NLCS:   In the 1980 NLCS loss to t...

Jim Beauchamp: 1973 N.L. Champion Mets Pinch Hitter (1972 - 1973)

Image
James Edward Beauchamp was born August 21, 1939, in Vinita, Oklahoma to his parents Dennis & Beulah Beauchamp. His father & grandfather were lawyers. Beauchamp attended Oklahoma State University, the same school that would later see Robin Ventura, Jeromy Burnitz, and Pete Incaviglia, get to the major leagues. Jim was a top athlete in basketball, track & baseball where he drew comparisons to Mickey Mantle also an Oklahoma native. The six-foot two right hand hitting outfielder, first baseman was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1958 with a $50,000 bonus.  Minor  Leagues:  Injuries would hurt his chances of living up to his potential. First, he crashed into a concrete wall & suffered a concussion, spending over a week in the hospital. Two years later he dislocated his shoulder & he needed surgery; it was never the same. He spent over a decade in the minor leagues making brief big league call ups. In the minor leag...

Gary Gentry: 1969 World Champion Mets Pitcher (1969 - 1972)

Image
Gary Edward Gentry was born October 6, 1946, in Phoenix, Arizona.  The six-foot right hander attended Arizona State University, getting to the College baseball finals there in his first two years. In 1967 he went 17-1 as a junior, setting a record striking out 229 batters in 174 innings.  In the semifinal game of the College World Series, Gary  struck out 15 batters in 14 innings pitched  He was named All American & the College Player of the Year as ASU won the championship.  Trivia: He was the third straight Sun Devil player to be named Player of the Year foll...