Comments on: Good Times: Johan, Rusty and Gil

By: Lisa P.

Lisa P. — Sun, 27 May 2012 15:22:01 +0000

That was a touching story by Rusty who has such devotion to this team. It was a thrill to hear him yesterday and I love the occasional former Mets that have been visiting the booth with great frequency this season.

By: jerseymet

jerseymet — Sun, 27 May 2012 13:56:18 +0000

I also was struck by the story. This linkage with Gil only deepens my respect for Rusty. Rusty is a man of great personal integrety. He was instrumental in making the players union viable. At a time when players were afraid to be team representitives, Rusty represented the Astros during the Curt Flood Case.
As a player, I felt that, the Mets did a disservice to him, by underplaying him. When Kingman and Rusty were on their second go round with the Mets, Rusty was largley a reserve player. It was brutal to watch Kong strike out while Rusty pinch hit. Had he started at first I confident that Rusty would have gotten 3000 career hits.
I was also struck by Rusty’s comment that the 1986 Mets failure to repete was due to a “lack of disclipline” and off the field activities. I was heart broken when Rusty was not brought back in 1986.

By: srt

srt — Sun, 27 May 2012 02:20:46 +0000

Rusty tells this story about Gil Hodges and being traded to the Mets in his 2009 book Few And Chosen. First time I had heard or read that. Must have left a memorable impression on Rusty.

Wish I had got one of those bobbleheads today….

By: Gregg

Gregg — Sun, 27 May 2012 02:06:42 +0000

Funny you should mention the Staub deal being talked about on TV, Howie mentioned it early during today’s broadcast on WFAN. I was totally unaware thats how things went down with Rusty and Gil. I also guess, Howie and Gary dip some pre-game prepping together.