by David Skolnik

Created on: December 16, 2007

The inept, hilarious, over-the-hill team known as the 1962 New York Metropolitans is the worst club this country has seen since the turn of the 20th century. When the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers abandoned New York for California in 1957, the National League was left with a void in the Big Apple.

By 1962, an investor, Bill Shea, announced the formation of the New York Mets. Along with the Houston Colt 45's, the Mets were allowed to take players from a pool of candidates from the other National League teams. Instead of going with youth, the Mets selected a core of established players from the Giants, Dodgers and Yankees, hoping their appeal would create a fan base. Thus, Roger Craig, Richie Ashburn, Al Jackson and Frank Thomas became the household names of the team, but they were past their prime and usefulness.

The manager of the 62 Mets, Casey Stengel, was hired out of retirement after gaining hall of fame credentials with the Yankees. Not even the 'ol "perfessor" could right this sinking ship. The Mets jumped out of the gate falling on their faces, losing their first nine games en route to a dubious 40-120 finish.

Yet, the Metsies would draw huge crowds at the Polo Grounds because many wanted to see these darlings of the National League. Folks had heard they were sloppy, funny and nimble-footed, but they just had to see for themselves. Many Mets fans, myself included, had to weather those embarrassing moments of the early and mid-1960s while the Yankees of Mantle and Maris were making back page headlines.

By 1963, just two players from the '62 squad were on the opening day roster. A year later, the Mets moved to their new home in Queens, Shea Stadium, a pitcher-friendly ballpark. It wouldn't be much longer until players like Ed Kranepool, Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and the great Nolan Ryan would form the nucleus of a young and hungry team that would win a World Series in 1969.

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