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Bud Harrelson, the starting shortstop on the 1969 Miracle Mets, passed away at the age of 79 on Thursday due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. One of the most popular members of that legendary team, Harrelson spent 13 years in a Mets uniform from 1965-77, then returned as a third-base coach in the 1980’s, making him the only man in a Mets uniform for both of the franchise’s World Series championships. He even did a stint as the team’s manager in 1990 and 1991.
Harrelson was well-respected by fans and teammates alike. One of those teammates, Art Shamsky, was the right fielder on the Miracle Mets. Shamsky appeared on 710 Len Berman and Michael Riedel in the Morning program to share his memories of his close friend.
“He was a great teammate, a consummate guy, a pro and a fan favorite” Shamsky reminisced with Berman and Riedel. “He wasn’t a big guy. He was a little guy that battled. You know he was a terrific shortstop. Buddy was really the glue of the infield and really an icon in Met history. Even though he had been ill for a number of years, it was a tough day.”
“He was a guy that, he worked hard to get into the big leagues, and I think he appreciated the fact that, again he wasn’t a big guy in stature, and fans loved the fact that he was a battler, as I would like to say, and I think his idea of giving back to the community was doing all of these charity events… and I think the fans appreciated that. You know, the ’69 Mets were so special. 55 years now and we’re still talking about that team.”
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