1975 Timeline

Following a season of nagging injuries and mediocre performance, Tom Seaver agrees to take a 20% pay cut for the 1975 season. Seaver said the decision was made in five minutes during a conversation with M. Donald Grant. “No, I wasn’t disturbed by the cut ... The ball club has been very good and honest with me … they paid me a good amount last year and I didn’t pitch up to that amount,” said Seaver.

Ralph Kiner earns Hall of Fame membership by a single vote. Kiner led or tied for the National League lead in home runs the first seven seasons of his career and retired with a home run percentage second only to that of Babe Ruth.

The New York Mets fire manager Yogi Berra. “This decision has been hanging over our heads for some time,” said M. Donald Grant. “We were on the verge of telling Yogi he was out, but always the team would bounce back. It was a yo-yo season. Like grapes, the wins and losses came in clusters.” Grant confessed he’d considered firing Berra as early as 1973. The decision came after Tom Seaver met with Grant privately to express his concern over the team’s lack of respect for their manager. In three-plus seasons, Berra compiled a 292-296 record (.497 winning percentage), including the 1973 National League title. He was replaced by interim manager Roy McMillan.

The New York Mets hire Joe Frazier as manager. “Joe Frazier has consistently proved to us his ability to handle players,” said Mets GM Joe McDonald. “Winning is what it’s all about and Joe Frazier is a winner.” In one-and-one-half seasons as manager, Frazier compiled a 101-106 record (.488 winning percentage).

Joan Whitney Payson, the principal owner of the New York Mets since the franchise inception, dies at age 72.

The New York Mets acquire Mickey Lolich and outfielder Billy Baldwin for outfielder Rusty Staub and pitcher Bill Laxton. Lolich posts a 8-13 record in one season in New York.