OTD 2001: Mets Legend Tommie Agee Passes From Heart Attack

On January 22, 2001, the Mets’ center fielder from their 1969 championship team, Tommie Agee, suffered a heart attack in Manhattan and passed away hours later. The Magnolia, AL native was 58 years old.

Agee was traded to the Mets by the Chicago White Sox before the 1968 season, in a deal that also brought Al Weis to Queens. Weis would go on to hit a famous home run in the 1969 World Series. Agee struggled in the 1968 season (the year of the pitcher), posting a slash line of .217/.255/.307 with five home runs. Things turned around for him (and for the Mets) in the 1969 season.

Agee served as the leadoff hitter in the Mets’ 1969 lineup, and slashed .271/.342/.464 with 26 home runs, 76 RBIs, and 12 stolen basses, good for a 5.2 bWAR. In the postseason, spanning eight games, he hit .250 with three home runs, two of which in the World Series. Tommie’s best statistical season was 1970, .286/.344/.469 with 24 home runs and 31 stolen bases, leading to a bWAR of 5.4. After a solid 1971 season (bWAR of 3.5), Agee dropped off dramatically. He posted a 0.1 bWAR in 1972, and was traded to the Houston Astros after the season. His playing career ended after the 1973 season at just 31 years of age.

When Mets fans think about Tommie Agee, his two outstanding catches in Game Three of the 1969 World Series immediately come to mind. In Game Three, he also belted a home run. You can his highlights from that pivotal game in the video below.

While Agee was a gifted fielder with outstanding speed, he had tremendous power as well. He is the only player in history to hit a fair ball into the upper deck at Shea Stadium. On April 10, 1969, he blasted a home run to left field off Expos’ pitcher Larry Jaster (he hit two home runs in the game). The spot where the ball landed was marked with a sign by the Mets. The sign, with Agee’s name and the date, was sold to a private collector when Shea Stadium was demolished.

With the current labor dispute and the money available in the game today, it’s interesting to note that Tommie Agee, a World Series hero, earned approximately $200,500 over his twelve year career and six major league contracts.

Here’s an MMO hat tip to a Mets World Series hero, the late Tommie Agee.

The post OTD 2001: Mets Legend Tommie Agee Passes From Heart Attack first appeared on Metsmerized Online.