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Media Guide Query, 1967 & 1969

G-Fafif Feb 22 2010 12:51 AM

If anybody has the media guides from 1967 and 1969, I am requesting a favor: can you can check the chronologies of the previous season's roster maneuverings for any activity regarding the following two players: Bill Hepler in 1966 and Billy Short in 1968? I am gathering a list of Mets who, like Jeremy Reed in 2009, spent exactly one finite season on the Mets, no more, no less (I posted a thread a little while back on such players for the decade just finished). I've been able to divine, for sure, 40 players as members of the One Full Year club, which means Opening Day to the end of the season without being sent down or disabled or shipped off for reserves duty. I believe Hepler and Short would make it 41 and 42, respectively, but each has a gap or two in his gamelogs from his one year as a Met that at first led me to suspect they were DL'd. Further research indicates to me they were simply not used. In those days, with complete games more common and no fancy switching for matchups, two lefty relievers could get lost on a pitching staff, even on the pitching staffs of ninth-place clubs (though the 1968 Mets pitching staff was no ordinary ninth-place outfit). Anyway, as I'm sure several of you can understand, I seek closure. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

MFS62 Feb 22 2010 08:22 AM Re: Media Guide Query, 1967 & 1969

What may be even more important explaining roster moves in those days was the option rule. A player had three options/ recalls. Period. Not multiple moves within three option years. (like today) Most teams saved the recalls for September callups. A call up to replace a guy on the DL used up one of those moves. That said, unless really proven otherwise, I'd guess that the gaps in their usage were just that - periods of nonuse. Later

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 22 2010 08:32 AM Re: Media Guide Query, 1967 & 1969

I'm on this.

G-Fafif Feb 22 2010 10:15 AM Re: Media Guide Query, 1967 & 1969

[quote="MFS62":js26iks6]What may be even more important explaining roster moves in those days was the option rule. A player had three options/ recalls. Period. Not multiple moves within three option years. (like today) Most teams saved the recalls for September callups. A call up to replace a guy on the DL used up one of those moves. That said, unless really proven otherwise, I'd guess that the gaps in their usage were just that - periods of nonuse.[/quote:js26iks6] Worth noting Hepler was a Rule V draftee. Had to stay on the roster. Neither he nor Short logged any minor league time in the years in question.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 22 2010 01:58 PM Re: Media Guide Query, 1967 & 1969

Both players qualify. Hepler was rule-5'ed from Honolulu of the Senators, signed, and optioned to Buffalo after year. Short was purchased from Columbus (Pittsburgh), signed, and outrighted to Jacksonville after the year, when he was Rule 5ed by Cincinnati... neither guy was DLed or demoted or nothin.

metirish Feb 22 2010 02:01 PM Re: Media Guide Query, 1967 & 1969

Now we know what JCL did at work today....nice one.

G-Fafif Feb 22 2010 02:26 PM Re: Media Guide Query, 1967 & 1969

[quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]Both players qualify. Hepler was rule-5'ed from Honolulu of the Senators, signed, and optioned to Buffalo after year. Short was purchased from Columbus (Pittsburgh), signed, and outrighted to Jacksonville after the year, when he was Rule 5ed by Cincinnati... neither guy was DLed or demoted or nothin.

I thank you...

Now we know what JCL did at work today....nice one.

...and salute your values system.