Mets legend Buddy Harrelson dead at 79 after battle with Alzheimer's
Mets legend Buddy Harrelson has died at the age of 79 after a battle with Alzheimer's, the team announced.
"We were saddened to learn of Mets Hall of Famer Buddy Harrelson’s passing," Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. "He was a skilled defender and spark plug on the 1969 Miracle Mets. The Gold Glove shortstop played 13 years in Queens, appearing in more games at short than anyone else in team history. Buddy was the third base coach on the 1986 World Champs, becoming the only person to be in uniform on both World Series winning teams. We extend our deepest condolences to his entire family.”
Harrelson played for the Mets from 1965 to 1977, earning two All-Star nods and helping the team win the World Series in 1969 and reach another World Series in 1973.
"He always made prefect throws to me at first – everything was chest-high. Buddy and I were with the Mets in the early days and he did everything to promote the team," teammate Ed Kranepool said. "I don’t think we ever missed a Little League dinner in the early years to talk baseball to kids."
Winner of the 1971 Gold Glove award at shortstop, Harrelson was also a part of one of the most famous moments in Mets history when he fought Pete Rose of the Reds after a dustup near second base during game three of the 1973 NLCS.
After his playing career, Harrelson coached for the Mets in 1982 and from 1985 to 1990. Harrelson also had a brief stint as Mets manager, in 1990 and 1991.
Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling, who were part of the 1986 team, paid tribute to Harrelson:
"I played against Buddy. I remember him as a feisty player who would do anything to win," Hernandez said. "As a coach, he was so caring and giving. He was the best third base coach in the game. Also, he threw the best BP in baseball. We bonded over both being from the same area in San Francisco. He was just a great man."
Said Darling:
"Buddy loved coming to the field. He did things with such grace and caring. Without a doubt I learned more baseball from Buddy than any other person in the Mets organization."
