Jack DiLauro: Former Italian / American 1969 World Champion Mets Pitcher (1969)

Jack Edward DiLauro was born May 3, 1943 at Akron, Ohio. At high school DiLauro was a star baseball, basketball & football player.

The six foot two, left hander then attended the University of Akron, where he was signed by the Detroit Tigers. He was also offered a pro football contract as well, but chose baseball instead. 

While in the Tigers organization in the late sixties, DiLauro pitched for the AAA Toledo Mud Hens, located within two hours of his home at Akron. In those days his family & friends would make the short drive over to Toledo to watch him pitch. DiLauro went 6-5 in 1967 as the Mud Hen’s won the Governors Cup. 

In 1968 he was 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA as the Mud Hens won the league pennant. That season the big-league club Detroit Tigers won the World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. 

The Tigers pitching staff seemed set for the next few years with guys like; Denny McLain, Mickey Lolich, Earl Wilson, Joe Sparma & John Hiller. DiLauro was the odd man out & would not be around with the Tigers the next season. 

In December of 1968 he was traded to the New York Mets for catcher Hector Valle, who never caught a big-league game with the Mets or the Tigers.

Mets Career: In 1969, DiLauro was the oldest Mets rookie at age 26, on a very young staff. When he first arrived with the Mets, he thought his situation was even worse than in Detroit. He never thought he’d crack the talented pitching staff in New York with the young arms of; Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Jerry Koosman & Gary Gentry. 

Quotes- Jack Di Lauro: "I'm thinking, Jeez, I get traded to the Mets of all places to go.  I'm going to be back in the minors & might never get called up."

Jack began the season at AAA Tidewater going 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA in the first month of the season. 

In early May when Nolan Ryan was put on the disabled list, DiLauro got the call up to the big leagues. 

MLB Debut: On May 15th, 1969, DiLauro made his MLB debut, at Shea Stadium pitching in relief of Cal Koonce, throwing two scoreless innings in a 6-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves. 

He made two more appearances that month, throwing 5.2 scoreless innings in losses at the Houston Astrodome.

On June 4th at Shea Stadium, Jack got his first start, going up against Bill Singer & the Los Angeles Dodgers. He allowed just two hits as he shut out the Dodgers for nine innings, retiring his last 19 batters in a row. He earned a standing ovation from the Shea Faithful as he walked off the mound after the 9th inning. Bill Singer also shut out the Mets thru nine, the Mets won the game in the bottom of the 15th inning on a Wayne Garrett Walk off single.. 

In mid-June, he got two starts, taking losses in Los Angeles, allowing three runs in seven innings of work & at Shea, getting shut out by the Cardinals Nelson Briles.

On July 20th, DiLauro earned his only Mets victory at Jarry Park in Montreal, pitching the in the 10th inning in the second game of a double header. The Mets beat the Expos when Bobby Pfeil singled home Ron Swoboda for the winning run.

Through August & September he made 11 middle relief appearances. On September 3rd, Jack came into a tie game at Los Angeles & gave up a walk off double to Willie Davis taking the 5-4 loss. 

DiLauro appeared in 23 games overall for the 1969 Amazing Mets. He got four starts on the year, going 1-4 throwing 63 innings, allowing only 17 earned runs good enough for a 2.40 ERA. That ERA is one of the Mets All Time best for pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched.

His last Mets game was on the final day of the regular season, finishing off a loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

1969 Post Season: DiLauro did not appear in the post season. DiLauro felt he didn't get a chance
with Gil Hodges & later said he was never comfortable around him. 

Ed Sullivan Show: DiLauro appeared on the Ed Sullivan show with the World Champion 1969 Mets & actually did an impersonation of Ed Sullivan himself that night; it was one of his personal proudest moments. 

The Mets sang "You Gotta Have Heart" as a team dressed out of uniform in plain clothes. The musical guest that night was the band Smith, fronted by beautiful singer Gayle Smith. They did a fantastic version of "Baby It's You".

After the Miracle: When the season ended Jack was left unprotected in order to protect some of the young & upcoming Mets minor league prospects. In December DiLauro was picked up by the Houston Astros. 

In 1970 DiLauro went 1-3 with a 4.28 ERA for the Astros before landing back in the minor leagues. In 1971 he was traded along with Tug McGraw’s brother Hank, to the Atlanta Braves organization but would never pitch in the big leagues again.

Quotes- Jack DiLauro: Years later he told sportswriter Maury Allen: "I left baseball with a bitter taste. They needed me at the end of the season. I was only 29 when I was finished with baseball. I didn't have anything to do, any place to go, any training for anything else. I never made any money in baseball, so it was hard for me. I wished I could have gotten along better with managers & front office people. Hardly a day goes by that I don't think of something relating to the Mets of 1969."

Career Stats: In his brief two-year MLB career at 2-7 with a 3.05 ERA. He struck out 50 batters & walked 35 in 97 innings pitched in 65 appearances.

Retirement: DiLauro went on to work for the Koenig Sporting Goods Store in Akron Ohio, becoming district manager for 31 of their stores. 

Family: In 1977 he married his wife, Jane. The Di Lauro's & their two sons lived in a lakefront home in Malvern Ohio. 

Honors: Jack was elected to the Greater Akron Hall of Fame. 

DiLauro appeared at 1969 Mets reunions & memorabilia shows. In 2019 he last attended the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Amazing Mets at Citi Field.

Passing: In December 2024 Jacks passed away at age 81.