Loved the articles. I was at Jack DiLaurio’s first major league start and many in the area of the left field boxes in which I was sitting in were saying they wished they were able to see some of our top pitchers in stead. Well, what happened? Jack matched Bill Singer with shutout innings as the Singer was taking a perfect game and no hitter into the late innings.

I am so glad you mentioned Ed Charles. The Glider always held a special place in our hearts during that 1969 season. As fans, we all knew that at 36, his days were over but also knew there was something sweet and special about this one particular gentleman. His son suffered with cerebral palsey, he had to endure the indignties suffered all by African American ballplayers but even more so for those who weren’t clearly big stars had to literally way outperform their caucasion teamates (not just do better than them) to get a spot on the roster.

He knew this was his only shot and appreciated it even more than his young teamates whose careers were ahead of them. He took upon himself the role of the veteran player leading the kids in the clubhouse. No easy chore when he could no longer do it by leadership on the field like Clendennon, Cardwell, Taylor and other vets. Just shows how vital he was and how the young kids literally loved him.

Remember the greeting he got after rounding the bases against St. Louis, clapping his hands to savor the special moment of his career? That love the players had for him was quite evident as they greeted him in the dugout. Some were waiting for him outside the dugout. Many were crowded on top of the dugout steps. They all hugged him and slapped him on the back with such a demonstration of emotion it was obvious It more than just the usual congratulations (made even more celebratic in lieu of the added excitement of that special evening) in which they greeted Don Clendennon a few minutes earlier.

Yet last year I was taunted by a few here at MMO, saying how absurd it was for me to suggest that a .207 hitter was a valuable member of the team. Oh, the statistical guys were having a field day with me on that one. Just shows how little they understood – or could appreciate.

That is why I also have to disagree with you, Barry, on comparing the 2013 club to that of the 1969 team going into spring training. It is because those young pitching arms belonged to an organization run by baseball people trying to build a ball club, not making decisions on the best interests of the Wilpons so they can remain as owners.. Also, that was a front office which had faith and stood behind their players who believed in themselves, unlike Sandy Alderson who didn’t give a damn and said he still needed time to see what the team was made of in 2011.

And they never would have kept Ed Charles on the team – for just like those here who adhere to statistics and thus ridiculed Ed’s role with the Mets, stat guys like Alderson and DePodesta would have also not understand – or appreciated – what Ed Charles meant to the team. That’s where the human experience comes in, not the advanced statistical analysis.

You mentioned the current FO in what is otherwise a great article. But you know what would have happened if the current mentality was in place back then right? They would have done their calculations & projections on what the Cubs all-star roster would do, Donn Clendennon is never acquired and the Mets, due to those “calculations and projections” would never have even been in the post season that year, much less win the World Series.

Heck, guys like Grote & Harrelson would not even be Mets under the current adminstration’s philosophy.