1973 N.L. Champion Mets Bat Boy: Danny Garcia

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This is an updated post, as Danny himself contacted centerfieldmaz with a correction to the photo that was previously used. Danny said he was one of three bat boys that season & attatched some correct photos of himself. Thanks for the update & thanks for reading Danny............

Daniel Raphael Garcia was born April 29, 1954 in Brooklyn, New York. He was raised in Queens & attended Baruch College studying psychology. He played baseball & somewhere along the line got a chance to work for the New York Mets. In 1973 he was one of three Mets bat boys the N.L champions used.


The 19 year old kid from Queens got a chance to sit in the same dug out as Tom Seaver, Willie Mays, Bud Harrelson, Tug McGraw, Rusty Staub & the rest of the legendary squad. He was the kid with the  semi afro sprouting from under his blue Mets cap.

After the season, he went to play for the Alaska Gold Panners, & in 1975 was drafted by the Kansas City Royals, in the eleventh round. He spent seven seasons in the minor leagues batting .288 & stealing 108 bases. He was never a power hitter, hitting just 11 HRs in 2851 at bats in his minor league career.

In 1980 at AAA Omaha he hit .320 and the next year got his chance to debut in the major leagues. He was brought up to the Royals at the end of April & batted just .143 (2-14) before being sent back down in late May after playing in just 12 games.

He retired after the 1982 season at AA buffalo, & went on to play in the Mexican League, Venezuela & Australia.

In the 1990’s he returned to MLB, fist as a minor league instructor for the San Diego Padres (1990-1992) & then a scout for the Milwaukee Brewers (1992-1999). From there he went on to a position as special assistant to the GM with the Baltimore Orioles (1999-2003).

He currently lives on Long Island
a baseball consultant, motivational speaker, and instructor.

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