Bud Harrelson: the game I'll never forget: as told to Al Doyle: former Mets shortstop recalls 1969 World Series when New York upset the Baltimore Orioles

Baseball Digest, August, 2005 by Al Doyle

When Weis batted against McNally in the seventh, no one expected him to hit a homer to tie the game, but that's what he did. We scored two runs in the eighth and won 5-3. A lot of teams who came from last place or losing years don't finish the deal, but the Mets did.

It was inspirational. Everyone remembers the underdog.

Even though we were just three games over .500 (82-79) the Mets won the N.L. East in 1973. The Reds won the N.L. West, and the playoff game where Pete Rose and I got into a fight is the one that everyone remembers about my career.

It started after we beat the Reds in Game 2 in Cincinnati. Jon Matlack pitched a wonderful game--a two-hitter--and I was standing next to him when all the cameras and reporters were interviewing him.

I tried to be funny and said, "He made the Big Red Machine look like me hitting today." What I said got twisted.

The Mets worked out at Shea the next day. When the Reds came on the field, Joe Morgan grabbed me and said "If you ever say that about me again, I'll punch you." I knew Joe, and he was just frustrated. Rusty Staub came over and told him, "Bud didn't say anything about you, Joe."

Joe apologized, and he said, "Pete's gonna take that quote and get everyone fired up. I'm warning you." Pete slid into second in the fifth inning after I had gotten rid of the ball. He gave me an elbow to the head. I was mad, gave him a few choice words, and the rest is history. I'm surprised we weren't thrown out of the game.

Being a little guy, I always wore a Superman T-shirt under my jersey. When the reporters came over after the game, I taped over the Superman logo and said, "It looks like Pete had a load of kryptonite today."

Pete and I got along fine when we played on the Phillies, and I still see him today. Even though the Mets went on to lose the World Series to the A's, everyone remembers the fight with Rose.

BUD HARRELSON Background Information File

Born: June 6, 1944 (D-Day) in Niles, California Height: 5-11 Weight: 150 Bats: Both Throws: Right

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Co-owner and third base coach for the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League.

"It might sound crazy, but this is the best thing I've done in baseball," Harrelson declared. "We've brought professional baseball to Suffolk and Nassau counties. That's an area with three million people. We've drawn two million fans in six years to a park that seats 6,000."

Harrelson was involved in starting the Atlantic League, which has a large number of former big leaguers. The former Met says he isn't competing against his old team or the Yankees.

"The Ducks are affordable family entertainment," Harrelson said. "Our fans are 50 percent for the Mets and 50 percent for the Yankees. Everybody is close to the action here."

TURNING LEATHER INTO GOLD: The 1971 National League Gold Glove winner, Harrelson was known for his range, intelligence, instincts and sure hands at shortstop.

"That was my best individual achievement, because you're chosen by the other managers in the league," he said.