1965 New York Mets season
Encyclopedia
The New York Mets
season was the 4th regular season for the Mets. They went 50-112 and finished 10th in the NL. They were managed by Casey Stengel
and Wes Westrum
. They played home games at Shea Stadium
.
came out of retirement and signed with the Mets as player–coach. He would only play 4 games, and on May 9, 1965 he appeared in his final game as a player. It was 3 days shy of his 40th birthday. He served as coach the rest of the way and proved to be a valuable asset to the team, especially with young talent like Jerry Grote
coming up.
Following the 1964 season, the Milwaukee Braves sold pitcher Warren Spahn to the Mets. Braves manager Bobby Bragan
predicted, "Spahnie won't win six games with the Mets." Spahn took on the dual role of pitcher and pitching coach in New York but won only four and lost twelve. Spahn was put on waivers on July 15, 1965 and released on July 22, 1965. He immediately signed with the San Francisco Giants, with whom he finished the season.
Wes Westrum
had joined the Mets as a coach in 1964 and became pitching coach in July 1965 after Spahn's release. When Casey Stengel was injured on August 30, 1965 and stepped down as skipper, Westrum became manager.
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
season was the 4th regular season for the Mets. They went 50-112 and finished 10th in the NL. They were managed by Casey Stengel
Casey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
and Wes Westrum
Wes Westrum
Wesley Noreen Westrum was an American professional baseball player, coach, manager, and scout. He played for 11 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the New York Giants from to . He was known as a superb defensive catcher...
. They played home games at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
.
Offseason
- November 23, 1964: Warren SpahnWarren SpahnWarren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
was purchased by the Mets from the Milwaukee BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. - November 30, 1964: Duke CarmelDuke CarmelLeon James "Duke" Carmel is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1959 and 1965, for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, and New York Yankees, primarily as an outfielder.-External links:...
was drafted from the Mets by the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 1964 rule 5 draftRule 5 draftThe Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. - December 7, 1964: Tracy StallardTracy StallardEvan Tracy Stallard is a retired American professional baseball player, a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1960 to 1966. He played with the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and St...
and Elio ChacónElio ChacónElio Chacón Rodríguez was a Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop who played in the National League from 1960 to 1962. He was the seventh baseball player from Venezuela to play in the majors....
were traded by the Mets to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Gordie RichardsonGordie RichardsonGordon Clark Richardson , is a retired American professional baseball player, a left-handed pitcher who played in the Major Leagues from 1964–1966 for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets...
and Johnny Lewis. - January 15, 1965: George AltmanGeorge AltmanGeorge Lee Altman is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball. From through , Altman played for the Chicago Cubs , St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets...
was traded by the Mets to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Billy CowanBilly CowanBilly Rolland Cowan is a retired professional baseball player who played eight seasons for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and California Angels of Major League Baseball.-References:...
.
Regular season
Former Yankee great Yogi BerraYogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
came out of retirement and signed with the Mets as player–coach. He would only play 4 games, and on May 9, 1965 he appeared in his final game as a player. It was 3 days shy of his 40th birthday. He served as coach the rest of the way and proved to be a valuable asset to the team, especially with young talent like Jerry Grote
Jerry Grote
Gerald Wayne Grote is a former professional baseball player. He played the majority of his Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the New York Mets and was regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of his era.-Early life:...
coming up.
Following the 1964 season, the Milwaukee Braves sold pitcher Warren Spahn to the Mets. Braves manager Bobby Bragan
Bobby Bragan
Robert Randall Bragan was a shortstop, catcher, manager, and coach in American Major League Baseball. He also was an influential executive in minor league baseball...
predicted, "Spahnie won't win six games with the Mets." Spahn took on the dual role of pitcher and pitching coach in New York but won only four and lost twelve. Spahn was put on waivers on July 15, 1965 and released on July 22, 1965. He immediately signed with the San Francisco Giants, with whom he finished the season.
Wes Westrum
Wes Westrum
Wesley Noreen Westrum was an American professional baseball player, coach, manager, and scout. He played for 11 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the New York Giants from to . He was known as a superb defensive catcher...
had joined the Mets as a coach in 1964 and became pitching coach in July 1965 after Spahn's release. When Casey Stengel was injured on August 30, 1965 and stepped down as skipper, Westrum became manager.
Notable transactions
- April 27, 1965: Yogi BerraYogi BerraLawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
was signed as a free agent by the Mets. - May 17, 1965: Yogi Berra was released by the Mets.
- June 8, 1965: 1965 Major League Baseball Draft1965 Major League Baseball DraftThe 1965 Major League Baseball Draft is the first year in which a draft took place for Major League Baseball.In Major League Baseball's first Free Agent Amateur Draft, the Kansas City Athletics selected Arizona State sophomore Rick Monday as the number one pick...
- Nolan RyanNolan RyanLynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
was drafted by the Mets in the 12th round. - Don ShawDon Shaw (baseball)Donald Wellington Shaw is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched all or part of five seasons in the majors, between and , for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals and Oakland Athletics.-External links:...
was drafted by the Mets in the 35th round.
- Nolan Ryan
- July 17, 1965: Warren Spahn was released by the Mets.
- July 21, 1965: Jesse GonderJesse GonderJesse Lemar Gonder , was a professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Braves, and Pittsburgh Pirates....
was traded by the Mets to the Milwaukee BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Gary KolbGary KolbGary Alan Kolb is a retired American professional baseball player. An outfielder and utilityman, Kolb played all or parts of seven seasons of Major League Baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates...
. - August 5, 1965: Billy CowanBilly CowanBilly Rolland Cowan is a retired professional baseball player who played eight seasons for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and California Angels of Major League Baseball.-References:...
was traded by the Mets to the Milwaukee BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for players to be named later. The Braves completed the deal by sending Lou KlimchockLou KlimchockLouis Stephen Klimchock was an infielder for the Kansas City Athletics , Milwaukee Braves , Washington Senators , New York Mets and Cleveland Indians ....
and Ernie BowmanErnie BowmanErnest Ferrell Bowman is a former Major League Baseball infielder. Bowman played for the San Francisco Giants from to . He batted and threw right-handed....
to the Mets on September 25.
Roster
| 1965 New York Mets | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 114 | 251 | 17 | 46 | .183 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 1B | 153 | 525 | 44 | 133 | .253 | 10 | 53 | 1 | |
| 2B | 100 | 286 | 24 | 68 | .238 | 5 | 21 | 1 | |
| 3B | 135 | 499 | 49 | 122 | .244 | 16 | 62 | 2 | |
| SS | 157 | 528 | 44 | 128 | .242 | 1 | 42 | 1 | |
| LF | 135 | 399 | 52 | 91 | .228 | 19 | 50 | 2 | |
| CF | 141 | 369 | 32 | 87 | .236 | 15 | 40 | 3 | |
| RF | 148 | 477 | 64 | 117 | .245 | 15 | 45 | 4 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 148 | 437 | 38 | 109 | .249 | 5 | 40 | 4 | |
| 82 | 156 | 16 | 28 | .179 | 3 | 9 | 3 | |
| 53 | 105 | 6 | 25 | .238 | 4 | 9 | 0 | |
| 40 | 90 | 8 | 15 | .167 | 1 | 7 | 3 | |
| 4 | 9 | 1 | 2 | .222 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 253.2 | 8 | 24 | 3.94 | 68 | 116 | |
| 37 | 205.1 | 8 | 20 | 4.34 | 61 | 120 | |
| 20 | 126 | 4 | 12 | 4.36 | 35 | 56 | |
| 5 | 28 | 0 | 2 | 3.21 | 7 | 19 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 112.1 | 4 | 8 | 4.49 | 58 | |
| 32 | 87 | 6 | 6 | 4.45 | 62 | |
| 35 | 90.2 | 1 | 10 | 4.67 | 58 | |
| 13 | 28 | 1 | 2 | 4.18 | 13 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 4.60 | 16 | |
| 35 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3.78 | 43 | |
| 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4.28 | 19 | |
| 19 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3.82 | 13 | |
| 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4.00 | 9 | |