Remembering Mets History (1966) Mets Choose Steve Chilcott over Reggie Jackson in the Draft
The Mets chose catcher Steve Chilcott as the number one draft pick, the first pick overall. In choosing Chilcott they passed up on a guy named Reggie Jackson. Reggie would get picked next by the Kansas City Athletics.
Chilcott was a star athlete at Antelope Valley high school, playing both baseball & football. He attracted a lot of attention & the scouts came out to see him. Among those coming out to watch him play, was the Mets manager Casey Stengle. Chilcott remembered that the day Stengel came to the ballpark to see him, hundreds of more people came just to see the legendary Casey.
Stengel & the Mets were convinced that Chilcott was their man; they even gave him a $75,000signing bonus to start. Big money in 1966 baseball.
It made sense, that Stengel picked the catcher, since he had spoken of how important catchers were & his most prized player during his heyday was his own catcher, Yogi Berra.
Also, even that early in his career there was some question about Reggie Jackson’s attitude, as well as his character.
Career Ending Injury: It happened when I dove back to the bag. It was a double play ball & I was out by ten feet. I don't know if the fielder dropped the ball of what because I didn't hear or see anything. I was about to head back to the dugout when he called me safe. I dove back into the bag & jammed my right shoulder"
In 1969, as the Mets were winning the World Series, Chilcott underwent surgery, playing just seven games at A ball Visalia.
He suffered another injury after getting hit with a foul ball in the shin & was moved to the outfield. The next year he hit .265 with 17 HRs & 68 RBIs, striking out 95 times in 345 at bats.
It must be noted that many baseball people at the time believed both players were destined to have solid MLB careers.
The Mets also had an abundance of outfielders & were looking for more catchers.
In 1967 Chilcott batted .290 at A ball with the Winter Haven Mets, with 290 at bats he did not qualify for the batting race in which he would have come in fourth.
He suffered a semi-dislocation of the shoulder & he could never fully recover from it ruining his once promising career. It got so bad if he reached or moved the wrong way, the shoulder would pop in or out of joint.
In 1969, as the Mets were winning the World Series, Chilcott underwent surgery, playing just seven games at A ball Visalia.
In 1970 he went from AA Memphis to AAA with the Tidewater Tides where he hit 11 HRs in 199 at bats.
By 1972 the Mets gave up on him, Steve played his final season in the AL New York’s club minor leagues. A broken hand limited him to 24 games. At the age of 24, his baseball career was over. In 337 minor league games he batted .248 with 39 HRs & 153 RBIs.
Retirement: After his playing days, he went back to school. He then worked as a temporary fire fighter in the Santa Barbara Fire Department.
Retirement: After his playing days, he went back to school. He then worked as a temporary fire fighter in the Santa Barbara Fire Department.
Chilcott then went into the construction business as a full-time contractor. In 2005 he retired from his work.