Remembering Mets History: (1974) NL Champion Mets Take A Goodwill Tour Of Japan
Jerry Koosman enjoys the fruits of Japan In the off season of 1974 the Mets took a three week good will tour of Japan. They had originally been asked to do the trip while still being the defending NL Champs. New York was a known team team in Japan & stars like Tom Seaver, Willie Mays, Yogi Berra, Jerry Koosman & Tug McGraw were well known in Japan as well. But not all the Mets were into the trip, Bud Harrelson, Cleon Jones, Jerry Grote &Tug McGraw did not participate in the journey. Some feel that McGraw being traded in the off season may have had something to do with his not going. Tom Seaver did not want to go eithr, his wife; Nancy was pregnant at the time with their second child. But all agreed Seaver was the big draw & had to make the trip. He went with Nancy, pitched in five games then came home early as Nancy got sick. Mets- Ed Kranepool, John Milner & Joe Torre On the trip the Mets showed off their new acquisition, infielder Joe Torre. The