Remember 1969: Who Won? Deals of History - 1986

 

Mets Trades through the years:  Who won?

It's time to put the finishing touches on a Championship Year! 

November 1985 through October 1986

Notes:   Although they only made two trades that year, the first two were excellent ones that really helped in 1986.     At that time, I was a fan of Calvin Schiraldi and actually thought they made a mistake.   Oops, my bad.                           

(1)  New York Mets traded Calvin Schiraldi, John Christensen, Wes Gardner and LaSchelle Tarver to the Boston Red Sox for Bob Ojeda, John Mitchell, Chris Bayer and Tom McCarthy  (Nov 13, 1985)

 

(2)  New York Mets traded Billy Beane, Bill Latham and Joe Klink to the Minnesota Twins for TimTeufel and Pat Crosby  (Jan 16, 1986)

 

(3)  New York Mets traded Ronn Reynolds and Jeff Bittiger to the Philadelphia Phillies for Ron Gideon and Rodger Cole  (Jan 16, 1986)

 

(4)  New York Mets traded Ed Lynch to the Chicago Cubs for Dave Liddell and Dave Lenderman  (Jun 30, 1986)

Trivia:   There are some interesting stories with the 1986  trades.    One player involved has one of the lowest  OPS+  ever and another has one of the highest.    LaShelle Tarver finished his career at 3 for 25 for a -24 OPS+ while Dave Lidell had one hit in one at bat (recently written up as one of five currently living ex-players who finished their career with a perfect one for one).    For that one at-bat, he has a +454 OPS+ 

 Am I the only person that has been pronouncing Bobby O's last name incorrectly for the last 35 years?  I am just now learning that the correct pronunciation is  \oh-HAY-duh\.   I always thought it was  \oh-HEE-duh\.     Hmm.  I watched a lot of 1986 Mets games . .   

Ron Gideon is an interesting story.  He is listed as a "first baseman - relief pitcher" in his B-R bio.   He hit .250 across 7 minor league seasons and over 1750 at-bats and finished with a sub 3.00 ERA in 78 innings pitched at the A and AA levels.    He never made the majors as a player, but is now the first base coach for the Rockies after having managed 15 years in the low minors - a few with the Mets, but more in the Colorado organization.    He also has a namesake son who played a few years in the minors and never made the show either.