It has been more than 50 years since the New York Mets won their first-ever World Series title.
The legend of the 1969 New York Mets has been chronicled in news stories, documentaries, video compilations, social media feeds and books. Since that Amazin’ Mets run, nine of the 31 players and coaches from the World Series roster have passed away including World Series MVP Donn Clendenon, manager Gil Hodges, Tommie Agee and the iconic Yogi Berra.
During the 50th Anniversary celebration of the 1969 World Series team during the 2019 season, it became obvious that some of the remaining living Mets are fighting their own health struggles. Tom Seaver and Bud Harrelson are battling dementia. Gary Gentry has suffered a stroke. Ed Kranepool was recovering from kidney surgery.
Life is fragile.
The joy is most of the 1969 championship team were able to return to New York and participate in the pre-game ceremonies. Joe Pignatano (90) is the oldest living member of the 1969 team and three living players are over 80 years old including J.C. Martin (83), Ron Taylor (82) and Al Weis (82)
This past weekend SNY, the New York Mets television affiliate, aired all five games of the 1969 World Series. The experience washed over Mets fans, bringing back memories and giving the younger Mets fans an opportunity to learn more about the team, the fan base and the experience.
The rewind pricked us to compile a list of the entire World Series roster of players and coaches, both living and passed away, to remind us to continue to celebrate this important marker in franchise history. If you get the opportunity to meet any of the remaining ’69 Amazin’ Mets, we encourage you to take the time to shake their hand (if possible), thank them and honor what they did for the franchise.
(updated on 05.11.2020)
Alive
Tom Seaver (75)
Ken Boswell (74)
Al Weis (82)
Bud Harrelson (75)
Cleon Jones (77)
Ron Swoboda (75)
Ed Kranepool (75)
J.C. Martin (83)
Jerry Grote (77)
Rod Gaspar (74)
Art Shamsky (78)
Wayne Garrett (72)
Ron Taylor (82)
Jerry Koosman (77)
Gary Gentry (73)
Jim McAndrew (76)
Nolan Ryan (73)
Duffy Dyer (74)
Jack DiLauro (77)
Joe Pignatano (90)
Passed Away
Donn Clendenon
Ed Charles
Tommie Agee
Tug McGraw
Cal Koonce
Gil Hodges
Yogi Berra
Rube Walker
Eddie Yost
Don Cardwell
