1976 New York Mets season
Encyclopedia
The New York Mets
season was the 15th regular season for the Mets, who played home games at Shea Stadium
. Led by manager Joe Frazier
, the team had a 86-76 record yielding a 3rd place finish in the National League East
.
and General Manager Joe McDonald
.
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 15th regular season for the Mets, who 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...
. Led by manager Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier (baseball)
Joseph Filmore Frazier was a former outfielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was signed as an amateur free agent in 1941, but did not play in the major leagues until 1947. After 1947, he spent parts of three seasons in the 1950s, primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals...
, the team had a 86-76 record yielding a 3rd place finish in the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
.
Offseason
On December 6, Mrs. Lorinda de Roulet, daughter of the late Joan Payson, was named president of the Mets. The critical decisions, however, were still made by board chairman Donald GrantDonald Grant
Donald Grant was a leader of the Industrial Workers of the World in Sydney, Australia, a member of the Sydney Twelve charged with conspiracy in 1916, and later a member of the Australian Labor Party who was elected to Sydney City Council, appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council, and...
and General Manager Joe McDonald
Joe McDonald (baseball executive)
Joe McDonald is a former front office executive in American Major League Baseball.He played prominent roles in the New York Mets organization in his career there between 1965 and 1980. McDonald was the Mets' Administrative Secretary, Minor League Clubs, where he dealt with minor league operations...
.
Notable transactions
- December 3, 1975: Kelvin ChapmanKelvin ChapmanKelvin Keith Chapman is a retired Major League Baseball player. He played his entire Major League career with the New York Mets.-Early career:...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Mets. - December 12, 1975: Rusty StaubRusty StaubDaniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
and Bill LaxtonBill LaxtonWilliam Harry Laxton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Laxton pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and .- Early career :...
were traded by the Mets to the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Mickey LolichMickey LolichMichael Stephen Lolich is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1962 until 1979 who played the majority of his career with the Detroit Tigers.-Baseball career:...
and Billy BaldwinBilly Baldwin (baseball)Robert Harvey Baldwin was a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1975 through 1976 for the 1975 Detroit Tigers and the 1976 New York Mets. Listed at 6'0", 175 lb., he batted and threw left handed....
. - January 7, 1976: 1976 Major League Baseball Draft1976 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
- Greg Harris was drafted by the Mets in the 7th round, but did not sign.
- Kim SeamanKim SeamanKim Michael Seaman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He appeared in 27 games for the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1979 and 1980 baseball seasons.-External links:...
was drafted by the Mets in the 4th round of the Secondary Phase.
- March 5, 1976: Mario RamírezMario RamírezMario Ramírez Torres is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He played six seasons in the major leagues from until , all coming off the bench. Known mainly for his defensive prowess, Ramírez had a career batting average of .192....
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Mets. - March 30, 1976: Jesús AlouJesús AlouJesús María Rojas Alou is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. During a 17-year baseball career, he played for the San Francisco Giants , Houston Astros , Oakland Athletics , and New York Mets...
was released by the Mets.
Notable transactions
- June 8, 1976: Dave Von OhlenDave Von OhlenDavid Von Ohlen is a former professional baseball pitcher. Von Ohlen pitched in all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1983 through 1987. He appeared in 181 major league games, all in relief....
was drafted by the Mets in the 17th round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft1976 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
. - July 21, 1976: Del UnserDel UnserDelbert Bernard Unser is a retired Major League Baseball center fielder and utility player who had a 15-year career from 1968 to 1982. Unser played for the Washington Senators from 1968 to 1971 and the Cleveland Indians in 1972...
and Wayne GarrettWayne GarrettRonald Wayne Garrett was the New York Mets starting third baseman from 1972 through 1975. Garrett also saw occasional duty as a second baseman and as a shortstop....
were traded by the Mets to the Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
for Jim DwyerJim Dwyer (baseball)James Edward Dwyer is a former outfielder who enjoyed an eighteen year major league career for seven different teams between and . Listed at 5' 10", 165 lb., he batted and threw left-handed.-MLB career:...
and Pepe MangualPepe MangualJosé Manuel "Pepe" Mangual Guilbe is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for the Montreal Expos and New York Mets.-External links:...
. - September 17, 1976: Greg Harris was signed as an amateur free agent by the Mets.
Roster
| 1976 New York Mets | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 139 | 531 | 150 | .282 | 1 | 35 | |
| CF | 77 | 276 | 63 | .228 | 5 | 25 | |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | 262 | 67 | .256 | 4 | 29 | |
| 80 | 251 | 56 | .223 | 4 | 26 | |
| 41 | 102 | 19 | .186 | 1 | 9 | |
| 24 | 59 | 12 | .203 | 1 | 15 | |
| 9 | 22 | 6 | .273 | 1 | 5 | |
| 11 | 13 | 2 | .154 | 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 | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 192.7 | 8 | 13 | 3.22 | 120 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 41.2 | 4 | 4 | 3.67 | 30 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 2.81 | 45 | ||
| 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3.25 | 11 | ||
| 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.38 | 9 | ||
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5.79 | 2 |