31
2009
Frightening Moments In Mets History
An article by 
We’ve made it to another Halloween, Mets fans! That means it’s time for my first annual “Frightening Moments In Mets History” blog. It’s so scary that even Jose Reyes was not prepared for the shocking stories he was about to read.
I’ve gone through the archives (and by archives, I mean Google and my warped little mind) and picked out some moments that’ll make you cringe, some moments that’ll make you squirm and some moments that’ll make you want to look away. Of course, if you’re a Mets-ochist like I am, you’ll want to keep your eyes glued to the screen throughout the whole piece. After all, we wouldn’t want you to miss any of the bloody goodness.
So grab some popcorn or maybe some deviled eggs and enjoy some of the most macabre Mets moments I could find. Don’t worry. It won’t hurt you…unless if you let it.
There have been numerous trades in Mets history that might be considered frightening. For example, there was the trade that involved Nolan Ryan for Jim Fregosi. More recently, there was the trade of Scott Kazmir for the wrong Zambrano. Heck, I know a few 14-year old boys who were petrified when Anna Benson was traded away with her husband, Kris.
But perhaps the trade that scared off many Mets fans from coming back to Shea Stadium was the trade of Tom Seaver to the Cincinnati Reds in 1977. Seaver and Mets chairman of the board M. Donald Grant never had the best relationship, with the war of words often spilling onto the back pages of the tabloids. Seaver’s relationship with Grant reached its nadir when he blamed him for giving negative information about his wife to legendary sportswriter Dick Young. Young wrote a column claiming that Seaver and his wife were jealous of the money Nolan Ryan was earning with the California Angels.
On June 15, 1977, the Mets conducted what is now known as “The Midnight Massacre”, where they parted ways with Tom Seaver and slugger Dave Kingman in two separate trades. Following the trades, attendance at Shea Stadium dropped as quickly as the Mets did in the standings. Is it no wonder that fans started referring to Shea as Grant’s Tomb after the bloody massacre was complete?
There have been numerous on-field injuries that were gruesome to behold. Just recently, the Mets were forced to watch David Wright be the recipient of a head-seeking missile by Giants’ starter Matt Cain. The concussion suffered by Wright forced him to go on the disabled list for the first time in his career. Fortunately, the injury wasn’t as frightening as it looked as Wright was able to return to the Mets when his 15 day stay at the DL Hotel expired. Although he was forced to return his stylish hospital attire (see photo, right), he was more than happy to leave the hospital and return to the Mets lineup. Unfortunately, not every Mets player who went down with an injury was as fortunate as David was. Some players just vanished into thin air, never to be heard from again.
Remember Bernard Gilkey? He had a spectacular season for an otherwise unspectacular Mets club in 1996. He finished the season with a .317 average, along with 30 HR and 117 RBI. He also collected a franchise-record 44 doubles. Then he decided to appear in the movie “Men In Black”. In his one scene, he was playing left field at Shea Stadium when an alien spacecraft appeared over Flushing. Left in a state of shock, Gilkey never saw a fly ball headed in the direction of his coconut, where (you guessed it), he suffered a close encounter of the third kind with the baseball. Unlike David Wright’s injury, Gilkey’s head injury clearly affected his career. He followed up his stellar 1996 season with a subpar 1997 campaign, hitting only .249 with 18 HR and 78 RBI. It got worse from there. He was traded to Arizona during the 1998 season and only hit a total of 18 HR for the rest of his career until his final season in the majors in 2001.
One more injury involving heads happened in 2005 in San Diego, but this one was no laughing matter. On August 11, 2005, Carlos Beltran and Mike Cameron were involved in a terrifying on-field collision at Petco Park, where both players attempted to make a diving catch for a shallow fly ball.
Neither player caught the ball hit by Padres’ catcher David Ross, but they caught quite a bit of each other’s faces. Although Beltran escaped the collision with only minor injuries, the same could not be said for Cameron.
On the play, Cameron broke his nose, had multiple fractures of both cheekbones and suffered a slight concussion. He was placed on the disabled list and did not play again in 2005.
The collision in San Diego would be the last time Mike Cameron played for the New York Mets as he was traded to San Diego (how ironic) for Xavier Nady during the off-season. To this day, Cameron has trouble remembering the collision, not that it’s a memory he would like to have back.
Frightening moments aren’t always events that resulted in fan favorites being traded away or players getting injured. Sometimes, it could be a failed experiment on the field. Does anyone remember “Turn Ahead The Clock Day” in 1999?
Ten years ago, Major League Baseball decided to go the other way with its popular retro uniform promotions. Instead of looking back at its glorious past, baseball decided to look ahead at its ugly future. At least the uniforms were ugly. For one night in 1999, major league teams wore futuristic jerseys and caps in what had to have been the concoction of a seriously inebriated marketing department. The Mets played the Pittsburgh Pirates that night and were defeated by a young rookie pitcher by the name of Kris Benson (that name seems awfully familiar).
It didn’t matter that the 5-1 defeat to the lowly Pirates almost kept the Mets from making the playoffs that year (they needed a one-game playoff with Cincinnati to earn the wild card berth). All that mattered was that Orel Hershiser looked like this in his Mercury Mets jersey (see photo, right).
Yes, Mets fans. Orel Hershiser was actually a Met. That, in and of itself, is scary enough to me. But putting him in that abominable jersey is downright chilling. Spooky is as spooky does.
I can imagine you’re getting ready to give out candy to all the lovely trick-or-treaters who are about to ring your bell and then thank you for your sweet treats by throwing toilet paper all over your trees. So I will leave you with the most frightening moment in Mets history. What could be more frightening than the horrific injuries suffered by Mets players over the years? Is there anything that scared more Mets fans away than the Midnight Massacre? Is it possible that there is something more terrifying than the sight of Orel Hershiser in a Mercury Mets jersey?
Yes, my friends. I believe there is. The most frightening moment in Mets history began in 2006 and has continued to this day. That’s right, Mets fans. I’m talking about Jose Lima.
In 2006, the Mets used numerous starting pitchers because of injuries. The only starters to make more than 23 starts were Tom Glavine and Steve Trachsel. Although Pedro Martinez and Orlando “The Dookie” Hernandez were also around during the first half of the season, a fifth starter was still needed. Unfortunately, one of the men they turned to was Jose Lima.
The Mets allowed Lima to make four starts for them in 2006. The self-proclaimed creator of “Lima Time” was worse than Charlie Brown facing a squad full of Peppermint Patties. In those four starts, Lima was only able to pitch 17.1 innings. His ERA was an abysmal 9.87 and he was the losing pitcher in all four starts. Although Lima’s career with the Mets was finished, Lima was not finished with the Mets.
Urban legend has it that Jose Lima did not leave the Mets quietly (not that he could ever be quiet if he wanted to). It has been told that when Lima left the Mets, he placed a hex on the team, vowing that they would never win another championship. Just as the “Curse of the Bambino” prevented the Red Sox from winning a championship for 86 years and the “Curse of the Billy Goat” is still haunting the Cubs, the “Curse of Lima Time” has been passed down to the Mets.
In 2006, the Mets appeared to be steamrolling towards the World Series until Carlos Beltran saw the “Do Not Swing” sign on Adam Wainwright’s curveball. The hex continued into 2007 and 2008 as the Mets failed to make the postseason in both years. Finally, in 2009, the injury portion of the curse took hold and choked the life away from the team.
Now tell me, Mets fans. How can there be anything more frightening than the “Curse of Lima Time”? It’s so frightening that the curse has even affected Lima himself. After being designated for assignment by the Mets in 2006, Lima never pitched again in the major leagues. Even his fledgling singing career never took off as he has only sold one of his CDs and that was to his mother (she bought it in the bargain bin).
I don’t know if the Mets will have to call in an exorcist, the guys from Ghost Hunters or the woman from Poltergeist, but there has certainly been some paranormal activity going around the Mets clubhouse over the years. It seems to have followed them from Shea Stadium to Citi Field. Whether the “Curse of Lima Time” is real or not, it needs to be erased before the Mets continue to experience frightening moments on the field.
Well, Scooby Gang, that’s all I have for you today. I hope you can sleep well tonight and that these stories of terror didn’t make you go running to that old box in the attic where you’ve been storing your Mets night light all these years. Remember, these moments have only affected the Mets, not their fans. At least they haven’t affected the fans yet. Have a great Halloween!
About the Author: Ed Leyro
Ed Leyro was hatched in the Bronx, but spent most of his youth in Queens at Shea Stadium. Apparently, all that time spent at Mets games paid off as Ed met his wife (The Coop) for the first time at Citi Field during its inaugural season. Guess the 2009 season was good for something after all. In addition to his work at Mets Merized Online, Ed also owns, operates and is head janitor at Studious Metsimus, where he shares blogging duties with Joey Beartran. For those not in the know, Joey is a teddy bear dressed in a Mets hoodie. Clearly, Studious Metsimus is not your typical Mets blog.
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You forgot one of the most important ones in Mets History. Mike Piazza getting beaned by Roger Clemens. Never mind David Wright
Piazza’s was by far the most scariest and more important.
At least they knew Piazza was alive, the fright with Wright’s beaning was how he was completely motionless.
If it made this list, who are you to say “forget it”?
Write your own list so people can tell you to “forget it” and see how you respond, geez dude.
I had a list of about 15 scary Mets moments (although not all were scary, if you’re aware of my writing style) and Piazza’s HBP by Clemens was one of the 15, as was the time when Clemens fired the broken bat in Piazza’s direction during the World Series.
I chose Wright because it was fresh in Mets fans minds and because I had found the picture of him in scrubs. Also, I thought it would set up the other two head injuries better.
Just in case you want to know, I was also considering Roger McDowell wearing the Mets uniform upside down (see 1986: A Year To Remember home video), pictures of ugly Mets players, Mel Rojas, Zakk Wylde’s rendition of the National Anthem at Shea Stadium (as a favor to Mike Piazza) and a game in 1996 against the Cubs where Pete Harnisch and Scott Servais got into a fight that started a bench clearing brawl that got too close to the stands and Mark Grace accidentally punched me in the left cheek (true story).
If I had included everything I was considering, this blog might not have posted until after Halloween was over. It was long enough as it is!
ED, ONE I WAS SUPRISED NOT TO SEE REFERENCED WAS THE INJURY THAT PRODUCED A MICHAEL MYERS PITCHING APPEWARANCE AFTER MATLACK’S HORRENDOUS INJURY THAT BROUGHT ABOUT PITCHING WITH A FACEMASK.
I also forgot Luis Castillo limping around like he was trying out for a part in a George A. Romero zombie flick.
Ed, I agree, the first comment was very offensive because this supposed fan said to “never mind Wright” hello, his life was in danger, people are so bitter about how the season was that they lose sight over a life or death situation.
Of course, Piazza’s beaning by Clemens and that whole situation was scary and all that, no denying that, but people should be more considerate and not make it known that something was omitted from the list, that was my point.
I was also thinking about the 2000 World Series. The Yanks won but the Mets jinxed them til 2009 when the jinx returned in spades. Duaner Sanchez and his cab ride. I agree with who said that one. Ollie is an albatross around Mets neck and the bullpen has never been the same. And if we really think hard I’m sure there are even more frightening moments. (Insert evil laugh here). On a positive note, happy All Saints Day.
you stink, all of you mets fans, you took jay bay fronm us sox fans. unless he can pitch, he aint gonna help you. so what the extra 3 runs or 3 rd place, dont ruin a future boston legend. Have fun stinking for the rest of your life, cause we got cameron, beltre, papi, lackey, beck, lesta, elsbury, MVPedroia, scutaro,papalbon, ramirez, okajima, bard, drew, v-mart,dice-k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did the 5th grade let out early today?
Those Mercury Mets were awful. What were they thinking? And Cameron looks like he’s kissing Beltran in that pic. lol Happy halloween!
How about Mookie and Lenny’s collision in 87 or 88? My mom made me turn off the tv because she was so upset by it.
I remember that one well. It seemed like they did a do-si-do in the air. That’s what you get when you have two natural centerfielders going after the same ball. They both felt they had the right to wave the other one off, similar to Beltran and Cameron’s catch.
Happy Halloween!
You also forgot that Jerry Manuel was given vote of confidence to manage in 2010. Very frightening.
The Omar Minaya 3 year extension still gives me nightmares.
But yeah the Mike Piazza incident with Clemes should’ve been first on this list I mean the blog title does say ” Mets History “.
A moment to rival any of these injuries: in 1973, pitcher Jon Matlack got drilled in the head with a come-backer and was knocked unconscious. Docs later told him he was a couple of inches from being killed. He was hospitalized with a fractured skull, but came back to pitch well that year (14 wins).
And there was this non-injury fright: When Cleon Jones was going for the NL batting title in 1969, he got lots of race-related hate mail, but one made headlines: someone threatened to shoot him dead after a specific out in a specific inning at Shea. There was talk about whether to put Jones in the game, but he stood out there in left field that day, with security at Shea obviously very heavy. I remember watching the game on TV, the out was made, hoping and hoping that nothing was about to happen. And nothing did.
Wow, I have never heard that Cleon Jones story. That is messed up!
when don hahn and george theodore ran into each other in 1973 talk about brutal breaking theodore hip
Here’s a couple of more scary Mets moments.
Vince Coleman throwing firecrackers at a group of kids, sending three to the hospital, and getting suspended for the rest of the season.
Brett Saberhagen filling a spray bottle with bleach and then spraying it at reporters when they came to his locker.
Speaking of those early to mid 90s teams, we can’t leave Bobby Bonilla threatening to show Bob Klapisch the Bronx.
Thats right I forgot about that, Speaking of Bobby Bonilla here’s an even more HORRIFYING fact.
When the Mets released Bonilla in January of 2000, instead of picking up the $5.9 million owed to him for that year, they agreed to pay him nearly $1.2 million annually over the course of 25 years. That starts in 2011 and lasts until 2036 and will cost the Mets almost $30 million dollars. Maybe we should start referring to him as Bobby Boo.
I actually didn’t know that about Bonilla. I think I’ll be calling him something other than the Halloween-appropriate name Bobby Boo. Too bad this is a family site or else I’d share it here…
HEY, ED, DO U RECALL WHO IT WAS WE NEEDED SOOO BADLY FROM LA THAT WE TOOK BOZO BOBBY BACK AFTER WE’D SO DESPERATELY DEALT HIM TO BALT? THAT REACQUISITION SHOULD CERTAINLY SOLIDIFY PHILLIPS’ RANKING NEAR BOTTOM OF NYM GMs
I have one, how about the time Bud Harrelson ran into Pete Rose’s fist….lol I have a copy of that signed by both of them..
Good call, Kay! I was too young to remember that (I was 11 months old during the 1973 NLCS, but I believe I was wearing Yankee diapers for obvious reasons), but I’ve seen numerous highlights and recall Bob Murphy’s “…and a fight breaks out” call.
Pete Rose never could keep his hands to himself, such as when he repeatedly shoved umpire Dave Pallone in a game against the Mets in 1988.
You’re a pup Ed – lol – I was 8 years old, and remember screaming, and thinking, “that bad man is hitting my favorite player, make him stop”.
Tearing down SHEA!
[...] over at MetsMerized Online, in the spirit of Halloween, revisits some of the more scary moments in Mets [...]