Remembering Mets History (1967) Wes Westrum Resigns As Manager As the Gil Hodges Era Is About to Begin
It was apparent that the Mets were going in a different managerial direction the following season & Westrum was not the guy. The organization felt it was time to move up in the standings & new leader on the field was needed to do that.
The club president Bing Devin had a list of new candidates that included Mets coach Yogi Berra, as well as Bill Virdon, Sam Mele, Harry Walker & Westrum's former NY Giants teammate Alvin Dark. There were also rumors that the Mets were trying to bring in former Brooklyn Dodger Legend Gil Hodges who was managing the Washington Senators.
Wes Westrum had been a former catcher for the NY Giants (1947-1957) known for his defense more than his hitting. He ranks second all time (to Buster Posey) in Giants history in games caught behind the plate (902).In 1964, Westrum joined the Mets coaching staff, the following year in July he became the teams pitching coach when short time pitcher/coach Warren Spahn left the team. After only eleven days in that position Westrum took over as manager for Casey Stengel who broke his hip in a fall. Casey eventually retired & Westrum stayed in the position over the next three seasons.
Trivia: Besides being the second manager in Mets history, Westrum is the first manager to lead the Mets out of the cellar as they finished ninth in 1966, with the most victories (66) they had won in their first five seasons in the league.
When asked to finish out the season, he declined saying he wanted to visit his mother in Clearbrook Minnesota, then his wife & daughters in Phoenix.
Hodges was still living in New York, he was eager to come back to be with his family as well as his many friends. The Mets fans already loved him as he had played with the team in their first two years & his final two years as a player. The old New York Brooklyn Dodger fans practically canonized him a Saint.
Hodges signed a contract for the Mets at $60,000 annually. The rest is Mets history by the end of his second season as Met manager he won the World Series with the Amazing, Miracle World Champion Mets.
Westrum took the team by surprise when he walked into Bing Devine's office with his resignation, but he wanted to be the one that left first before getting fired.
Quotes- Wes Westrum: "Primarily & honestly I came to the conclusion that the strain of waiting in addition to the physical & mental strain of the whole thing had developed into a blessing in disguise."
The Mets named coach Salty Parker as the interim manager for the remainder of the season until a replacement was decided. Parker would lead the Mets to a 4-7 finish as manager.
Quotes- M. Donald Grant: "We're looking for a man who will win the pennant for us. That may sound facetious but we are looking for a man who will move us up in the standings".
A turning point for the Mets franchise came just a few short days later, when the front office announced they would be able to obtain the popular Gil Hodges for the position of manager.
Although it was tough, somehow Mets GM Johnny Murphy was able to work out a deal with Washington Senators GM George Selkirk. The Mets sent Bill Denehy & $100,000 to the Seantors in exchange for Hodges.
Although it was tough, somehow Mets GM Johnny Murphy was able to work out a deal with Washington Senators GM George Selkirk. The Mets sent Bill Denehy & $100,000 to the Seantors in exchange for Hodges.
Hodges was still living in New York, he was eager to come back to be with his family as well as his many friends. The Mets fans already loved him as he had played with the team in their first two years & his final two years as a player. The old New York Brooklyn Dodger fans practically canonized him a Saint. Hodges signed a contract for the Mets at $60,000 annually. The rest is Mets history by the end of his second season as Met manager he won the World Series with the Amazing, Miracle World Champion Mets.
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