Dec 08 2017 02:39 AM
Re: RIP Tracy Stallard, 1937-2017
Ten Cool Things About Tracy Stallard
1. He and Dave Hillman had their fates linked, both coming out of the same rural circuit of Southwestern Virginia, signing with the Red Sox, and moving on to terrible early Mets teams.
2. Was, in fact, traded from the Sox with Al Moran and Pumpsie Green for Felix Mantilla. Can you imagine three guys bad enough to together add up to a single 1962 Met?! And yet, all three played.
3. Apart from living in infamy as the server of Roger Maris' 60th homerun ball, he was also on the losing end of Jim Bunning's perfect game.
4. Threw his first 13 games out of the pen for the Mets, but then landed like a godsend in the rotation of the terrible 1963 Mets, allowing only one run as he pitched into the seventh inning in his first start, and then throwing complete-game victories in his next two starts. He fell off from there, as you might imagine.
5. During his time in New York, he took a page out of the ol' Ralph Kiner playbook, dating Julie Newmar, in between her stints on Living Doll and Batman
6. Lost a colossal 37 games in only two seasons as a Met.
7. Tracy Stallard Enterprises offer fans and collectors AUTHENTIC Tracy Stallard signed items as well as offering private and public signings featuring legendary athletes. They strive to provide a friendly experience while maintaining first class service.
8. Played six seasons in the minors after his big league career was over.
9. Was something of a giant-kller, holding his own with the likes of Willie Mays (6-for-30, .200), Willie McCovey (5-for-33, .152, but with 3 home runs), Roberto Clemente (4-for-29, .138), and Frank Robinson (6-for-28, .214).
10. Although he appeared at a handful of Roger Maris golf tournaments, and was accessible through the website above, tended to keep a low profile in later life, seemingly alternating between embracing and eschewing is weird place in history. He didn't even show up for the dedication of the ball field at his high school, named in his honor.