Honorary 1962 New York Mets – Lenny Randle

Although Lenny Randle played for the New York Mets, he has been selected to join this prestigious and hallowed fraternity because of his exploits with two other teams, the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners.

I have a good recollection of the incident that hastened the end of his career with the Rangers. In the spring of 1977, Randle was one of the competitors for the starting job at second base. When the job was given to a rival player, Randle asked to speak with Rangers Manager Frank Luchese in private. After an exchange of words, Randle punched Luchese, fracturing the manager’s cheekbone. The team suspended Randle and then traded him to the New York Mets.

The Mets, whose lineup was in need of some additional punch at the time, were rewarded that season when Randle socked his way to a .304 batting average, clubbed twenty-two doubles, belted seven triples and thumped five home runs. His arsenal of weapons enabled him to steal thirty-three bases as well. His numbers dipped precipitously in 1978, and the Mets released him just before the 1979 season.

Several years later, while playing third base for the Seattle Mariners, Randle distinguished himself again. In a game at the Kingdome, an opposing batter swung at a pitch and hit a slow, meandering ball that flirted down the third base line. Randle was one of the Mariners who went for the ball, which moved so slowly that the batter could not be thrown out.

That’s when Randle got on his hands and knees and attempted to influence the ball’s destination. ”I used the power of suggestion,” our man said, insisting that he did not blow on the ball. The umpire thought Randle did indeed blow the ball foul, and the runner was awarded first base. The picture above shows this unique baseball moment.

So there you have it. Whether beating up his manager, pummeling the baseball, using the power of suggestion to influence a play or attempting to blow a fair ball foul, Lenny Randle showed he belongs. This is the sort of player who made the unexpected seem common place. Ours is a team where there is always room for surprises, and Lenny Randle sure was full of them. Welcome, Lenny Randle, to the Honorary 1962 New York Mets.

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This is an ongoing series dedicated to my beloved 1962 New York Mets, an inept bunch whom many historians consider the worst baseball team ever. They taught me more ways to lose baseball games than I ever dared to imagine. During that inaugural season, they won 40 and lost 120 games, finishing 60 and a half games out of first place. In order to be recognized, a current or retired player, or team, has to do something reminiscent of the 1962 Mets. Trust me, this isn’t easy.