Remember that Jim Hickman actually pitched an inning for the Dodgers in 1967? And Ron Hunt cried upon learning the news of the trade? That was also the winter that besides the trade of their lone all-star performer, the Mets also traded their best pitcher Dennis Ribant (the first Met to make the top 15 ERA leaders) for that can’t miss prospect Don Bosch and Don Cardwell. Cardwell went on to be the Mets opening day pitcher ahead of Fisher and Bob Shaw.

When Hunt was traded West Westrum’s plan was to platoon Eddie Broussoud and Chuck Hiller at second, before Eddie was released. Then Jerry Bucheck came over from St. Louis and for a month or so was the hottest Met hitter until cooling down fast.

Davis breaking his ankle in 1965 did pave the way for “Sweet” Lou Johnson to finally get his chance in the majors.

And with Hickman gone, so were all of the original 1962 Mets (Kranepoole was just a late September call-up) so in 1967 the Mets finally had an old timer’s day in which they honored their own instead of the old Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants.