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Jay Kleven 1949-2009

Met Hunter Jul 22 2009 10:53 AM

Jay Kleven resident of San Lorenzo passed away unexpectedly on June 30th at the age of 59. He was a loving, caring man who lived his life to the fullest. He was a graduate of San Lorenzo High and Cal State Hayward. After college he was signed by the New York Mets and worked his way up to the "show" in 1976. He was an educator of many and was currently working as a teacher for the San Lorenzo School District. He loved his family, friends and his San Francisco Giants. He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Terry, his son Jerry, daughter-in-law Kristina. His three brothers Geoff, Jory and Jerry and their families. His brother-in-law John and sister-in-law Cindy and their families. His many wonderful nieces and nephews and many, many great friends. He was also preceeded in death by his parents Jerry and Joy Kleven and John and Frances Flores. Services will be held on Friday July 10th at 2pm at St. Johns Church on Lewelling Blvd in San Lorenzo. In lieu of flowers our families asks that you make a donation in "Jay's" name to either the San Leandro Sports Foundation at 151 Callan Ave., Ste 306, San Leandro, CA 94577, or to the San Lorenzo High School Boosters Club.

Edgy DC Jul 22 2009 11:02 AM

Two games, a week apart. Both pinch-hitting for Jerry Grote and taking over at catcher. That's a Crash Davis career.

G-Fafif Jul 22 2009 11:04 AM

Lifetime affinity for his hometown team trumped his loyalty to the one that gave him his shot. Admirable, from a fan perspective. Nine years ago I donated my Jay Kleven 1975 Tidewater Tides card to my future blog partner to help him complete his quest to collect a card for Every Met Who Ever Played. It gave me much happiness to see it enshrined in what we call The Holy Books.

seawolf17 Jul 22 2009 11:08 AM

Dammit! These guys need to stop dying before I can get them to sign cards.

Met Hunter Jul 22 2009 11:11 AM

I have a modest Met collection myself. Cards, photos, index cards, and a book with over 550 former and current Mets autographs in it. Earlier this year, I wrote to Jay and he asked me if I could help him locate any cards or photos for his family. I was able to get him about 3-4 WIZ cards and a Mets 8x10 off the internet. He couldn't have been happier. He wrote me a long letter and promised when he one day headed to NY, would meet up with me and sign my book. He told me his 2 weeks as a Met were among the greatest in his life. Whenever he signed, he wrote 1976 Mets. So sorry to hear of his passing.

Edgy DC Jul 22 2009 11:12 AM

His one career hit was off of Hollafamer Bruce Sutter. Look at this bunch. Who knew Latka Gravas was a Tidewater Tide? <img src="http://i11.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/f2/42/dac8_12.JPG">

metirish Jul 22 2009 11:17 AM

="Met Hunter":2zrvzzik]I have a modest Met collection myself. Cards, photos, index cards, and a book with over 550 former and current Mets autographs in it. Earlier this year, I wrote to Jay and he asked me if I could help him locate any cards or photos for his family. I was able to get him about 3-4 WIZ cards and a Mets 8x10 off the internet. He couldn't have been happier. He wrote me a long letter and promised when he one day headed to NY, would meet up with me and sign my book. He told me his 2 weeks as a Met were among the greatest in his life. Whenever he signed, he wrote 1976 Mets. So sorry to hear of his passing.[/quote:2zrvzzik] Great story RIP John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 22 2009 11:19 AM ="Met Hunter":3jba1g1f]I have a modest Met collection myself. Cards, photos, index cards, and a book with over 550 former and current Mets autographs in it. Earlier this year, I wrote to Jay and he asked me if I could help him locate any cards or photos for his family. I was able to get him about 3-4 WIZ cards and a Mets 8x10 off the internet. He couldn't have been happier. He wrote me a long letter and promised when he one day headed to NY, would meet up with me and sign my book. He told me his 2 weeks as a Met were among the greatest in his life. Whenever he signed, he wrote 1976 Mets. So sorry to hear of his passing.[/quote:3jba1g1f] That's great, and I'm sorry to hear it at the same time. Edgy DC Jul 22 2009 11:22 AM ="seawolf17"]Dammit! These guys need to stop dying before I can get them to sign cards. What's killing me is that we're getting reports of their deaths days or weeks later. What the hell?! These are Mets. Edgy DC Jul 22 2009 11:31 AM Good: Only Major Leaguer to come out of Cal State-East Bay. Bad: Died of complications after hip surgery. Centerfield Jul 22 2009 11:50 AM ="Edgy DC":ydwg6hxe]Died of complications after hip surgery.[/quote:ydwg6hxe] Mets' medical staff estimate this could keep him out of action for 2-3 weeks. Met Hunter Jul 22 2009 12:05 PM ="Edgy DC"] ="seawolf17"]Dammit! These guys need to stop dying before I can get them to sign cards. What's killing me is that we're getting reports of their deaths days or weeks later. What the hell?! These are Mets. I track these things somewhat, for my autograph pursuits. Two of the longest unreported Met passings, in my memory, were Mike Bishop and Danny Napoleon. Bishop was about 3 months. Napoleon was about a year and a half before there were any reports. Talk about gone and forgotten. G-Fafif Jul 22 2009 12:17 PM ="Centerfield":1qj2xxtx] ="Edgy DC":1qj2xxtx]Died of complications after hip surgery.[/quote:1qj2xxtx] Mets' medical staff estimate this could keep him out of action for 2-3 weeks.[/quote:1qj2xxtx] Bullet of Cool nominee. metsguyinmichigan Jul 22 2009 12:44 PM ="Centerfield":25bnu2o6] ="Edgy DC":25bnu2o6]Died of complications after hip surgery.[/quote:25bnu2o6] Mets' medical staff estimate this could keep him out of action for 2-3 weeks.[/quote:25bnu2o6] Bad ass!!!! Don't let Tony B. represent the team at the funeral.