Why didn't the Mets win more games???

[JollyElm]

When I see people posting pics of their cards from the 60's and 70's, something occurs to me. It seems that every visiting team was absolutely dogged by photographers from the moment they stepped into Shea Stadium in those days. If all the great players of that era were so busy posing for baseball card photos on game days --

"OK, Hank, pretend you're fielding a ball..." **CLICK**CLICK** "…look up as if you're going to catch it…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…act like you're going to throw it somewhere…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…now lose the mitt and give me a big smile…" **CLICK**CLICK** "...now thoughtfully look off into the distance…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…let a laugh go as we get some glamor shots…" **CLICK**CLICK** **CLICK**CLICK** "…now let's get you standing and then sitting in the dugout…" **CLICK**CLICK** **CLICK**CLICK** "…and pensively choosing a piece of lumber from the bat rack…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…now go towards the stands and sign some autographs for the fans…" **CLICK**CLICK** **CLICK**CLICK** "…okay, grab a bat…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…point the head at me…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…put it on your shoulder…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…now give me a follow through…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…batting stance…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…big smile…" **CLICK**CLICK** "...okay, batting helmet on…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…now off…" **CLICK**CLICK** "...how about kneeling in the on-deck circle…" **CLICK**CLICK** "...give us a pose of sheer determination…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…now look playful…" **CLICK**CLICK** "…now let's grab some of your teammates for group shots and start the entire process all over again…"

-- how in heck did they manage to effectively warm up, take batting practice, dog flies, etc., and get loose and ready for the game??? They were probably dog tired and exhausted before the first pitch was even tossed. Even with their poor teams from those years, the Mets would've had an extreme leg up on the competition and should have won a helluva lot more games than they did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come on!!!! What a shame.

[Rich Klein]

for both the Yankees 65-74 and Mets 62-68 it's called lack of talent for the most part

[chris6net]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

for both the Yankees 65-74 and Mets 62-68 it's called lack of talent for the most part

Two names come to mind. Marv Throneberry and Horace Clarke!

[Steve D]

It's strange, but besides Tom Seaver and Jon Matlack, the one player who first comes to mind for the 1970's Mets is the Stork, George Theodore (and he only played 2 years).

And I began collecting baseball cards in 1970 and studied them like the Encyclopedia, to where I knew pretty much who every player on every team was.

I guess they had the pitching, with Seaver, Matlack, Jerry Koosman, Craig Swan and Tug McGraw, but they never seemed to have the hitting. Who knows what would've happened had they not traded Seaver to the Reds in 1977, and even before that, if they had never traded Nolan Ryan in 1972 (although Ryan has credited Tom Morgan, who was the Angels' pitching coach in the 1970s, for his becoming the pitcher he turned out to be). If Ryan had not gone to the Angels, he might not have had the HOF career he ended up having.

Steve

[Volod]

Originally Posted by chris6net

Two names come to mind. Marv Throneberry and Horace Clarke!

Yankee front office was so miffed that Baltimore swung the Frank Robinson deal in '66, the NY braintrust engineered a big trade with the Phils for Frank's brother, Bill, the following season. Ooops, turned out that they only shared the last name, not the same genes.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by Volod

Yankee front office was so miffed that Baltimore swung the Frank Robinson deal in '66, the NY braintrust engineered a big trade with the Phils for Frank's brother, Bill, the following season. Ooops, turned out that they only shared the last name, not the same genes.

Um, it was with Atlanta, not Philly that had Mr. Robinson available for trade.

[Volod]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Um, it was with Atlanta, not Philly that had Mr. Robinson available for trade.

Good catch, Rich. Bill's longer association with the Phillies tripped me up.