In 1969 when I was just starting to develop a passion for baseball thanks to my Dad, the Mets fielded one of their most famous teams ever. Anchoring the defense of that team at short was Bud Harrelson. At 5’11” and 160 pounds, he was larger than life for me because of the way he played the game. I chose number 3 for my little league uniform number because of Bud.
Harrelson played with the Mets for thirteen seasons from 1965 to 1977, collecting two all-star berths and a gold glove along the way. He was a gritty defender, seldom ending the game with a clean uniform, and he played the game in an old-school way. Of course, one of his most famous moments was a very old-school play in the 1973 NLCS when he got into a dust-up with a much larger Pete Rose who had slid aggressively into Harrelson to break up a double play.
I don’t want Bud Harrelson to be remembered just for that play though. He was a great glove man in a middle infield for a Mets team that went to the World Series twice in four years. Bud went 54 games without an error in his all-star 1970 season which was a record at the time for shortstops. For all the excellent Mets defenders you can name, Bud with his 13.7 defensive WAR is still tops among all of them.
Bud wasn’t a prolific hitter, but he always seemed to come through in at-bats where his team needed him most whether it was a skillfully placed bunt, working out a walk, stealing a base, or getting a clutch base hit. His career slash line of .236/.327/.288 doesn’t do him justice for the impact he had on his team, but it does point out his lack of power – which made his every-other-year home run a very special occasion.
There are many stories already published out there on Bud’s life and his career in baseball. I’m not here to top them with any more insightful information. I just wanted to pay tribute to a player that helped stoke my passion for baseball when I was a boy and the sport has brought me countless moments of joy since then. Rest in peace, Bud Harrelson.
8 comments:
It's funny in your youth who you find larger-than-life, yet in retrospect that indefinable something that drew that person to you often manifests itself into a reality that may not have been present in other fans at the time. I remember an inordinate connection to Rusty Staub whose exploits with his bat were far greater than anything Bud ever did. Then again, I also lived for the innings pitched by less-than-stellar arms like George Stone and Jeff Innis.
Remember Harrelson for the competitor he was, not for his limited batting average and non-existent power.
I'm not sure Buddy will ever rest in peace
Even in heaven will he be turning a grounder into a double play
This time for the ultimate manager
Buddy Harrelson was my second favorite to Buddy Hackett.
Buddy would never have made it today unless he added 25 pounds or more. He might never have been drafted today.
He was all heart and determination.
Liked these memories:
He roomed with Seaver for the entire time they were Mets together, having first met in AAA-level ball in the Met system. "We were perfect roommates," Harrelson remembered in his memoir, Turning Two. "Tom did all the reading and I did all the talking."
"Buddy was 150 pounds soaking wet," his Hall of Fame teammate and best friend Tom Seaver remembered, "but he wouldn't back down from anyone."
Those who say Rose was trying to break up double play need to look at replay. The contact made was way after ball was released. Practically in milners glove. Famous photo of pete clocking buddy but the rarely shown photo of the way late stand up slide of Pete's forearm and elbow ramming buddy in neck and under chin. Breaking up double play???
Jge, and for that matter, Rose and Ray Fosse. In an All Star game no less.
Nothing against Harrelson who was a great Mets player but I doubt in today’s baseball if he’d be a starting SS in today’s baseball. Seems like executives want a decent fielding SS but needs to hit.
Great comments everyone! Keep 'em coming as we remember Buddy today.
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