One Time Mets Infielder: Tucker Ashford (1983)

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Thomas Steven Ashford was born on December 4th 1954 in Memphis, Tennessee. The six foot one right hand hitter was an outstanding short stop with a small bat. He was the second overall pick in the 1974 draft, chosen by the San Diego Padres.

He wouldnt make it to the majors until 1976 in a four game call up. In 1977 he was the Padres main third baseman playing in just 81 games hitting just .218. When Ozzie Smith arrived the next season, Ashford saw action in 75 games at all the other infield positions.

After spending three years at San Diego, he was traded along with Hall of Famer; Gaylord Perry to the Texas Rangers for Willie "the hot dog" Montanez.

Ashford would go to the Toronto Blue Jays, the A.L. New York club & then get traded to the New York Mets for a player to be named later, who was Steve Ray a minor leaguer. Ashford made his Mets debut on May 6th 1983, playing third base in a 7-4 Mets win at Shea over the Cincinnati Reds. In 35 uneventful games that season for New York, he hit just .179 with two RBIs. On April 1st 1984 he was traded to the Kansas City Royals for pitcher Tom Edens, who played two games as a Met.

Ashford retired after the 1984 season, with a .154 average, 111 hits 6 HRs 31 doubles & 55 RBIs. He would play 143 games at third base, 37 at second, 14 at frst base & 12 at short stop.

Retirement: Ashford became a manage in the Mets minor leagues starting in 1984 with the Kingsport Mets. In 1986 he brought the Columbia Mets to a first place finish in the South Atlantic League. In 1987 & 1988 he was skipper of the AA Jackson Mets finishing 5th & 7th.

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