1962 New York Mets season

March 2026 November 2013 New York Mets 1962 New York Mets Insignia (1962 to 1992).svg National League Polo Grounds New York 40 120 y 10th Joan Payson George Weiss Casey Stengel WOR-TV WABC (AM) (Ralph Kiner, Lindsey Nelson, Bob Murphy) thumb|Casey Stengel, the 1962 Mets manager The 1962 New York Mets season was the first regular season for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB), as the National League returned to New York City for the first time since 1957. They went 40–120 (.250) and finished tenth and last in the National League, 60 1 2 games behind the NL Champion San Francisco Giants, who had once called New York home. The Mets were the latest team to be 60+ games behind in a division before the 2018 Baltimore Orioles finished 61 games behind the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. In one of the worst MLB seasons in the modern era and the National League since the 1952 Pittsburgh Pirates, the Mets lost 120 games, setting the record for the most losses in the era. Their losses became the second most when the 2024 Chicago White Sox lost their 121st game;https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/white-sox-mlb-record-losses-rcna172288 Chicago White Sox lose 121st game this season, most in baseball history September 27, 2024 September 27, 2024 Rohan Nadkarni NBC News though their winning percentage (.253) is still higher than the Mets' (.250).https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401570885 White Sox wrap up record-breaking losing season with 9-5 win over playoff-bound Tigers September 29, 2024 ESPN.com Associated Press September 30, 2024 The Mets' starting pitchers also recorded a new major league low of just 23 wins all season.https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/2mOUa Pitching Game Finder: From 1908 to 2018, Pitcher Won, as Starter, sorted by smallest Performances matching selected criteria by a Team Baseball Reference August 29, 2018 The team lost its first game 11–4 to the St. Louis Cardinals on April 11 and went on to lose its first nine games. Their first win in franchise history came on April 23 in Pittsburgh in a 9–1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, which also resulted in the Pirates' first loss after a 10–0 start. Their first win in New York came on April 28 in a 9–4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Having repaired their record to 12–19 on May 20 after sweeping a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Braves, the Mets lost their next 17 games. They also lost 11 games straight from July 15 to July 26 and 13 games straight from August 9 to August 21. Their longest winning streak of the season was three wins.http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/schedule.php?y=1962&t=NYN 1962 New York Mets Schedule by Baseball Almanac Baseball Almanac The Mets were managed by former New York Yankees manager Casey Stengel and played their home games at the Polo Grounds, which was their temporary home while Shea Stadium was being built in Queens. They remain infamous for their ineptitude and were one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball history. The team's 120 losses were the third most by any MLB team, after the infamous 1899 Cleveland Spiders lost 134. Their team batting average, team earned run average (ERA), and team fielding percentage were all the worst in the major leagues that season.1962 MLB Team Statistics https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/1962.shtml Baseball Reference 19 January 2018 Despite the team's terrible performance, fans came out in droves. Their 1962 season attendance of 922,530 was good enough for sixth in the National League. The season was chronicled in Jimmy Breslin's humorous best-selling 1963 book Can't Anybody Here Play This Game? The title came from a remark made by manager Casey Stengel expressing frustration over his team's poor play. One of the only bright spots was left fielder Frank Thomas, who hit .266 with 152 hits, 34 home runs, and 94 RBIs. Offseason July 20, 1961: Paul Blair was signed as an amateur free agent by the Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/blairpa01.shtml Paul Blair Stats - Baseball-Reference.com October 16, 1961: Billy Loes was purchased by the Mets from the San Francisco Giants.https://www.baseball-reference.com/l/loesbi01.shtml Billy Loes Stats - Baseball-Reference.com November 28, 1961: The Mets traded a player to be named later and cash to the Milwaukee Braves for Frank Thomas and a player to be named later. The deal was completed on May 21, 1962, when the Mets sent Gus Bell to the Braves, and the Braves sent Rick Herrscher to the Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/t/thomafr03.shtml Frank Thomas Stats - Baseball-Reference.com January 30, 1962: Joe Ginsberg was signed as a free agent by the Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/ginsbjo01.shtml Joe Ginsberg Stats - Baseball-Reference.com March 2, 1962: Billy Loes was returned by the Mets to the San Francisco Giants. Expansion draft 1961 MLB expansion draft thumb|225px|The Polo Grounds, where the Mets played their 1962 and 1963 seasons (1951 photograph) Craig Anderson, pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals Gus Bell,https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bellgu01.shtml Gus Bell Stats - Baseball-Reference.com outfielder, Cincinnati Reds Ed Bouchee,https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bouched01.shtml Ed Bouchee Stats - Baseball-Reference.com infielder, Chicago Cubs Chris Cannizzaro, catcher, St. Louis Cardinals Elio Chacón, infielder, Cincinnati Reds Joe Christopher, outfielder, Pittsburgh Pirates Choo-Choo Coleman, catcher, Philadelphia Phillies Roger Craig, pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers Ray Daviault, pitcher, San Francisco Giants John DeMerit, outfielder, Milwaukee Braves Sammy Drake, infielder, Chicago Cubs Jim Hickman, outfielder, St. Louis Cardinals Gil Hodges, infielder, Los Angeles Dodgers Jay Hook, pitcher, Cincinnati Reds Al Jackson, pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates Sherman Jones, pitcher, Cincinnati Reds Hobie Landrith,https://www.baseball-reference.com/l/landrho01.shtml Hobie Landrith Stats - Baseball-Reference.com catcher, San Francisco Giants Félix Mantilla, infielder, Milwaukee Braves Bob L. Miller, pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals Bobby Gene Smith, outfielder, Philadelphia Phillies Lee Walls, infielder/outfielder, Philadelphia Phillies Don Zimmer, infielder, Chicago Cubs 1961 minor league affiliates The Mets and Houston Colt .45s were established on October 17, 1960, giving them time to acquire minor league professional players, sign amateur free agents (there was no first-year MLB draft until 1965) and enter into working agreements with minor league affiliates during the 1961 season. New York had formal working agreements with three minor league baseball teams in 1961: AA Mobile Bears Southern Association Ernie White B Raleigh Capitals Carolina League Enos Slaughter D Lexington Indians Western Carolinas League Jack Hale Regular season As an expansion team, the Mets were not expected to do well. They finished last in the National League, and they also finished 24 games behind their expansion brethren, the Colt .45s. Season standings New York Mets Opening Day lineup The first game in franchise history was played on the road, at Busch Stadium, St. Louis, on Wednesday night, April 11, 1962. The Mets fell behind 2–0 and 5–2 early, then narrowed the deficit to one run, but ultimately lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 11–4. Former Brooklyn Dodgers Gil Hodges and Charlie Neal homered for the Mets, whose home opener at New York's Polo Grounds would wait until their second-ever official game, on Friday, April 13, 1962. +Opening Day Lineup # Name Position1 Richie Ashburn CF18 Félix Mantilla SS4 Charlie Neal 2B25 Frank Thomas LF3 Gus Bell RF14 Gil Hodges 1B17 Don Zimmer 3B5 Hobie Landrith C 38 Roger Craig SP https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN196204110.shtml New York Mets at St. Louis Cardinals Box Score, April 11, 1962 Baseball-Reference.com Sports Reference May 17, 2022 Record vs. opponents NYM Notable transactions April 26, 1962: Harry Chiti was purchased by the Mets from the Cleveland Indians.https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/chitiha01.shtml Harry Chiti Stats - Baseball-Reference.com April 26, 1962: Bob Smith was traded by the Mets to the Chicago Cubs for Sammy Taylor.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithbo04.shtml Bobby Smith Stats - Baseball-Reference.com May 1, 1962: Joe Ginsberg was released by the Mets. May 7, 1962: Don Zimmer was traded by the Mets to the Cincinnati Reds for Bob G. Miller and Cliff Cook.https://www.baseball-reference.com/z/zimmedo01.shtml Don Zimmer Stats - Baseball-Reference.comMets Obtain Three Players https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CqUtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B54FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4661%2C1186081 December 13, 2015 Associated Press The Gazette May 7, 1962 Montreal 22 May 7, 1962: Jim Marshall was traded by the Mets to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Vinegar Bend Mizell.https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mizelvi01.shtml Vinegar Bend Mizell Stats - Baseball-Reference.com May 9, 1962: Marv Throneberry was sold by the Baltimore Orioles to the New York Mets.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19420507&id=EfMZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SiMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7037,514944&hl=en The Times-News - Google News Archive Search June 7, 1962 The New York Mets sell Hobie Landrith to the Orioles.Gary Landrith Replaces Father Schenectady Gazette Associated Press 22 8 June 1962 June 15, 1962: Harry Chiti was returned by the Mets to the Cleveland Indians. June 27, 1962: Ed Kranepool was signed as an amateur free agent by the Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/k/kraneed01.shtml Ed Kranepool Stats - Baseball-Reference.com August 4, 1962: Vinegar Bend Mizell was released by the Mets. September 7, 1962: Galen Cisco was selected off waivers by the Mets from the Boston Red Sox.https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/ciscoga01.shtml Galen Cisco Stats - Baseball-Reference.com Roster 1962 New York Mets Roster Pitchers 20 Craig Anderson 26 Galen Cisco 38 Roger Craig 35 Ray Daviault 27 Larry Foss 27,34 Dave Hillman 47 Jay Hook 29 Willard Hunter 15 Al Jackson 36 Sherman Jones 41 Clem Labine 19 Ken MacKenzie 36 Bob G. Miller 24 Bob L. Miller 26 Vinegar Bend Mizell 26 Herb Moford 22 Bob Moorhead Catchers  8 Chris Cannizzaro 44 Harry Chiti 17 Choo-Choo Coleman 12 Joe Ginsberg  5 Hobie Landrith  5 Joe Pignatano 16 Sammy Taylor Infielders 11,3 Ed Bouchee  7 Elio Chacón  6 Cliff Cook 12 Sammy Drake  6 Rick Herrscher 14 Gil Hodges 10 Rod Kanehl 21 Ed Kranepool  6 Jim Marshall 18 Félix Mantilla  4 Charlie Neal  2 Marv Throneberry 17 Don Zimmer Outfielders  1 Richie Ashburn  3 Gus Bell 23 Joe Christopher 29 John DeMerit  9 Jim Hickman 16 Bobby Gene Smith 25 Frank Thomas 11 Gene Woodling Manager 37 Casey Stengel Coaches 52 Solly Hemus (Third base) 53 Rogers Hornsby (Hitting) 48 Red Kress 51 Cookie Lavagetto (First base) 54 Red Ruffing (Pitching) Player stats = Indicates team leader Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C Chris Cannizzaro 59 133 32 .241 0 9 1B Marv Throneberry 116 357 87 .244 16 49 2B Charlie Neal 136 508 132 .260 11 58 3B Félix Mantilla Félix Mantilla (baseball) 141 466 128 .275 11 59 SS Elio Chacón 118 368 87 .236 2 27 LF Frank Thomas Frank Thomas (outfielder) 156 571 152 .266 34 94 CF Jim Hickman Jim Hickman (1960s outfielder) 140 392 96 .245 13 46 RF Joe Christopher 119 271 66 .244 6 32https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/1962.shtml 1962 New York Mets Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI Richie Ashburn 135 389 119 .306 7 28 Rod Kanehl 133 351 87 .248 4 27 Gene Woodling 81 190 52 .274 5 24 Sammy Taylor Sammy Taylor (baseball) 68 158 35 .222 3 20 Choo Choo Coleman 55 152 38 .250 6 17 Gil Hodges 54 127 32 .252 9 17 Cliff Cook 40 112 26 .232 2 9 Gus Bell 30 101 15 .149 1 6 Ed Bouchee 50 87 14 .161 3 10 Joe Pignatano 27 56 13 .232 0 2 Sammy Drake 25 52 10 .192 0 7 Don Zimmer 14 52 4 .077 0 1 Rick Herrscher 35 50 11 .220 1 6 Hobie Landrith 23 45 13 .289 1 7 Harry Chiti 15 41 8 .195 0 0 Jim Marshall Jim Marshall (baseball) 17 32 11 .344 3 4 Bob Smith Bobby Smith (baseball) 8 22 3 .136 0 2 John DeMerit 14 16 3 .188 1 1 Ed Kranepool 3 6 1 .167 0 0 Joe Ginsberg 2 5 0 .000 0 0 Pitching = Indicates league leader Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Roger Craig Roger Craig (baseball) 42 233.1 10 24 4.51 118 Al Jackson 36 231.1 8 20 4.40 118 Jay Hook 37 213.2 8 19 4.84 113 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L SV ERA SO Bob L. Miller Bob Miller (baseball, born 1939) 33 143.2 1 12 0 4.89 91 Craig Anderson Craig Anderson (right-handed pitcher) 50 131.1 3 17 4 5.35 62 Bob Moorhead 38 105.1 0 2 0 4.53 63 Willard Hunter 27 63.0 1 6 0 5.57 40 Sherman Jones 8 23.1 0 4 0 7.71 11 Galen Cisco 4 19.1 1 1 0 3.26 13 Larry Foss 5 11.2 0 1 0 4.63 3 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L SV ERA SO Ray Daviault 36 81.0 1 5 0 6.22 51 Ken MacKenzie Ken MacKenzie (baseball) 42 80.0 5 4 1 4.95 51 Vinegar Bend Mizell Wilmer Mizell 17 38.0 0 2 0 7.34 15 Bob G. Miller Bob Miller (1953–62 pitcher) 17 20.1 2 2 1 7.08 8 Dave Hillman 13 16.2 0 0 1 6.32 8 Herb Moford 7 15.0 0 1 0 7.20 5 Clem Labine 3 4.0 0 0 0 11.25 2 Awards and honors League top five finishers Richie Ashburn #3 in NL in bases on balls (81) Roger Craig MLB leader in losses (24) #2 in NL in home runs allowed (35) #3 in NL in earned runs allowed (117) Jay Hook #4 in NL in earned runs allowed (115) #4 in NL in home runs allowed (31) Al Jackson #2 in NL in losses (20) Farm system Minor League Baseball 1962 minor league affiliates AAA Syracuse Chiefs International League Frank Verdi and Johnny Vander Meer C Santa Barbara Rancheros California League Gene Lillard D Quincy Jets Midwest League Ken Deal D Auburn Mets New York–Penn League Dick Cole LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Auburn Syracuse affiliation shared with Washington Senators Notes 2 References 1962 New York Mets at Baseball Reference 1962 New York Mets Roster at Baseball Almanac Johnson Lloyd Wolff Miles The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball 2nd Durham, North Carolina Baseball America 1997 978-0-9637189-8-3 Category:New York Mets seasons New York Mets season Category:Major League Baseball inaugural teams seasons New York Mets Category:Washington Heights, Manhattan Category:1960s in Manhattan