Members Of 1969 ‘Amazin’ Mets Come Together For Good Cause At Stew Leonard’s In Yonkers
YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — It has been 50 years since the “Miracle” Mets won the World Series and thrilled fans throughout the Tri-State Area.
The players reunited Monday for a common cause, CBS2’s Steve Overmyer reported.
For much of the 1960s, the Mets were the laughing stock of baseball.
But in 1969, everything changed.
“Even though it has been 50 years, it’s still vivid in our minds how important we were to the city of New York,” outfielder/first baseman Art Shamsky said. “After so many years being known as the lovable losers to being World Series champions.”
MORE: World Series Champion Art Shamsky On 1969 Mets, Tom Seaver & New Book
Members of that team came together for an autograph signing at Stew Leonard’s in Yonkers, a store also celebrating its 50th year.
The year 1969 was important for many reasons. The Jets won the Super Bowl, the Knicks went on to win the NBA title, and the country was celebrating a man on the moon. There was the peace and love of Woodstock but also enduring political unrest.
“It took all of our minds off of Vietnam and other things,” outfielder Cleon Jones said. “I could walk through New York and kids playing in the street saying, ‘I’m Tom Seaver,’ not Mickey Mantle, not Joe DiMaggio. This is the team that brought New York back together.”
MORE: Mets To Rename Street Next To Citi Field After Tom Seaver
Fans lined up Monday to spend a moment with their heroes and recapture a bit of their youth.
“I was listening to the World Series in class when Tommy Agee hit the home run, getting busted by the teacher because I was wearing an earpiece in my ear,’ one fan said.
The players joined forces again Monday, this time to support one another off the field. Proceeds from the Wishing Wells will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association, a tribute to legendary Met pitcher Seaver, who was recently diagnosed with dementia.
“Our memories are the most important thing to us. When we get older like this we realize it even more,” outfielder Ron Swoboda said. “We’re not all here and yet we are all going to walk together forever because of what happened in ’69.”
Time can never fade the real legacy of this team: unity.
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March 26, 2019 at 02:15AM
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