Ed Bauta - The 23rd Met Pitcher

     Ed Bauta was acquired from the Cardinals in exchange for Ken MacKenzie on August 5th, 1963.  Ed's Met career consisted of 17 games during the '63 and '64 seasons.  He compiled a 5.28 ERA in the majors, but spent most of his time with the Mets in the minor leagues.  

     The first ball was purchased off of eBay.  The second ball was was signed by Mr. Bauta with two different pens, after being sent to his home.  When asked the question "What was your favorite memory as a Met?"   He replied .. "When I left"   This was definitely one on my most memorable signatures through the mail.

Carlton Willey - The 20th Met Pitcher

     Carlton Willey joined the Mets on March 23rd, 1963, after his contract was purchased from the Braves.  Willey flourished with the Mets, posting a 3.10 ERA in 1963.  His 4.3 WAR lead the '63 Mets and was also one of the best seasons of the '60's timeline.  Carlton's Met career hit an unexpected bump, when he was hit in the jaw by a line drive in April of 1964.  Afterwards, he was never the same.  He averaged 29 innings pitched over the next two seasons and hung it up in '65.  Who know what could have been, but his 1963 season was one for the ages, especially considering how terrible the defense was in the early Met years.  Mr. Willey passed away at the age of 78, on July 21st, 2009.

     Both balls were purchased off of eBay.   His signed baseballs aren't particularly hard to find.

Tracy Stallard - The 19th Met Pitcher

     Tracey Stallard was acquired on December 11th, 1962 from the Boston Red Sox, along with Pumpsie Green and Al Moran in exchange for Felix Mantilla.  Tracy had a rough 1963 season, posting a 4.71 ERA over 154 innings, which included 23 starts.  His 1964 season was much better posting a 3.79 ERA over 225.2 innings pitched.   Unfortunately, run support was nowhere to be found.  Stallard lead the league with 20 losses that season.  After the '64 season, the Mets cashed in on Stallard's 2.0 WAR season.  On December 7th, they dealt him to St. Louis along with Elio Chacon for Johnny Lewis and Gordie Richardson.  Stallard pitched the '65 and '66 season for the Cardinals, before finally hanging it up in 1969.

Larry Foss - The 17th Met Pitcher

    Larry Foss was claimed off waivers from the Pirates on September 6th, 1962.  He appeared in five games, posting a 4.63 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched.  Larry would never pitch in the majors again.   He was dealt to Milwaukee in May of 1963, and soon retired after toiling a few innings at AAA Denver of the PCL.   

"Vinegar Bend" Mizell - The 13th Met Pitcher

     Wilmer "Vinegar Bend" Mizell was received from Pittsburgh on May 7th, 1962 in exchange for Jim Marshall.   After posting a 7.34 ERA over 38 IP, Vinegar Bend was released three months later on August 4th.  Overall, Wilmer had a solid major league career, consistently posting sub four ERAs throughout his twenties.  He took two years off from baseball in 1954 and 1955 to serve in the U.S. Army.  

      After retirement from baseball, Mizell began a political career.  He served 6 years in the U.S. House of representatives.  Wilmer was also appointed Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Economic Development and Executive Director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.  "Vinegar Bend" passed away on February 21st, 1999 from complications of a heart attack.