Al Moran: Early Sixties Mets Shortstop (1963-1964)

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Richard Alan Moran was born on December 5, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan. The right-handed hitting shortstop was signed by the Boston Red Sox out of Central Catholic high school in Detroit Michigan in 1958.

He spent five years in the minor leagues, getting traded over to the New York Mets organization in 1962 as a player to be named later in the Felix Mantilla deal.

Moran's nickname was "hiker".

Mets Career: In 1963 he was the last place Mets, main short stop playing 116 games at that position. Moran shared time with Chico Fernandez who played 43 games at short. Moran made 27 errors, second most among all NL short stops, posting a .951 fielding %. 

He batted just .193 with one HR, five doubles, two triples & 23 RBIs. He stole three bases getting thrown out seven times.

On August 8th he helped tie up a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he singled off future Met; Ray Sadecki, scoring Frank Thomas. The Mets won it on an 8th inning Duke Carmel HR. 

HR: On August 31st, at the Polo Grounds, Moran hit his only career HR. It was a two-run shot tying up a game off none other than Milwaukee Braves Hall of Famer; Warren Spahn. The Mets lost the game 4-3.

1964: This year Al hit only .227 in 16 games, getting replaced at short stop by the great defensive glove man & future Mets coach Roy McMillan. 

 Moran would play in the minor leagues through 1966 before retiring from the game.

In two seasons he finished his career with a .195 batting average 69 hits one HR, five doubles, two triples 27 RBIs & a .274 on base %. At short he posted a .961 on base % making 29 errors in 595 chances.

Retirement: After his playing days Moran coached baseball in Detroit at his old high school. He was always known to stay in good shape, with a great sense of humor, being an all-around good guy.

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