Former Met of the Day: Dan Napoleon (1965-1966)

Daniel Napoleon was born January 11, 1942 in Claysburg, Pennsylvania. He was raised outside of South Jersey and attended Central High in Trenton. After attending Ryder University he was signed by the Mets as an amateur free agent in 1964. He hit 36 HRs and was Rookie of the Year in the NY Penn League in 1964. He had a brief two year career with the Mets in the mid sixties.

He made his debut in April of 1965, and in just his third at bat had his brightest moment. He hit a game winning pinch hit triple against the Giants earning manager Casey Stengel his 3000 career victory. He drove in another run in May, enjoying a two hit day. In 68 games Napoleon he batted only .144 going 14-97.

He spent the next season in the minors until he got the September call up on September 9th, 1966. He enjoyed a four game hit streak, while hitting safely in six of eight games. He batted .212 with 7 hits in 33 at bats. On April 1st 1967, he was traded with Eddie Bressoud to St. Louis for three players. Napoleon never appeared at the major league level again. He passed away in Trenton, New Jersey in April of 2003 at age 61.