Mike Fitzgerald: The Mets Main Catcher Before Gary Carter (1983 - 1984)

Michael Roy Fitzgerald was born on July 13, 1960, in Long Beach, California. The six-foot catcher was drafted out of Lakewood high school at age 17, in the sixth round of the 1978 draft, by the New York Mets. 

He was fine defensive catcher getting to AAA Tidewater by 1981. He split time with Bruce Bochy as the Tides main catcher the next season.

In 1983 he hit his best with 14 HRs 65 RBIs & a .284 batting average, getting him promoted to the Mets as a September call up.

Mets Career-HR in First at Bat: On September 13th, Fitzgerald made his MLB debut at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. In his first career at-bat he homered off Tony Ghelfi in the Mets 5-1 win. 

He got a hit in his second game as well, but then was hitless in the last six games he played in during the 1983 season. Fitz finished the year (2-20) with a .100 average.

1984: In an exciting 1984 season, Fitzgerald won the Mets starting catching job over youngsters Junior Ortiz & John Gibbons, as well as veteran Ron Hodges. After spending a decade as a backup catcher Hodges had finally got a chance as the team's main catcher in 1983.

Dwight Gooden's Debut: In 1984 Fitzgerald had the honor of catching rookie phenom Dwight Gooden in his electrifying rookie season.

On April 7th in Houston, was behind the plate for Dwight Gooden in his MLB debut. Gooden struck out five batters in five innings earning his first career victory. Fitz would not catch Gooden again until May 1st & on that day Doc earned his second win, beating the Chicago Cubs at Shea Stadium. 

From May 5th through May 15th, he drove in six runs over a seven-game span, with RBIs in three straight games as well.

On May 14th Fitz was behind the plate when Doc Gooden fanned 14 Dodgers in a 2-0 shut out at Dodger Stadium. 

Multi- Three RBI Games: On July12th he collected three hits with a pair of RBI doubles in an 8-6 win over the Braves at Fulton County Stadium. Fitz also drove in a season high three runs which he matched four days later. On July 16th he had another three hit, three RBI game in a 13-3 win at Houston.

On July 23rd, he hit his second & only other HR of the season, a two-run shot off the Cardinals Ricky Horton in a 4-3 win at Shea Stadium. Wall Backman's 12th inning walk off single won the game.

On September, Fitz was Doc's battery mate as he set the single season strike out mark in a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Shea Stadium. That night centerfieldmaz was in attendance at Shea witnessing Gooden strike out a season high 16 batters.

Five days later in Philadelphia, Fitz called the signals to Gooden as he struck out another 16 batters, although he took a 2-1 loss to Shane Rawley.

For the season, Fitz only hit .242 with two HRs 15 doubles & 33 RBIs. He posted a .288 on base % & .593 OPS, certainly not enough power from the catcher's spot, for a team looking to win a championship.

Defensively he led all NL catchers with a .995 fielding percentage, made 715 put outs (5th in the NL) & threw out 34% of would-be base stealers. He also made the Topps All Star Rookie Team.

Trivia: Fitzgerald is one of five players to have the best fielding percentage at his position in his rookie season. The last to do it before him was Johnny Oates with the 1972 AL East Champion Baltimore Orioles. 

Blockbuster Trade: In the off season the Mets made the trade that completed their Championship caliber team. They sent Fitzgerald to Montreal along with Hubbie Brooks, Herm Winningham & Floyd Youmans in exchange for All Star Gary Carter.  It was one of the best trades the team ever made. Carter was the big bat the team needed as he helped them win the World Series in 1986.

Post Mets Career: Fitzgerald would be Montreal’s catcher for seven seasons (1985-1991) sharing time with Nelson Santovenia in those later years.

Baseball Card Trivia: In 1987, Fitz appears on Kevin Mitchell's Topps baseball card. Research shows that on Wednesday afternoon, June 25th in a 5-2 Mets win at Shea, Mitchell slid safely, scoring a run in a cloud of dust on a Ray Knight single. In that game Fitz drove in both Expos runs on two RBI doubles off Sid Fernandez.

Fitz would play in over 100 games four times, enjoying his best season in 1986 batting .282 with 6 HRs 37 RBIs & 13 doubles. Defensively his fielding % & caught stealing both fell off. In 1987 he had 12 errors charged to him (second most in the NL) with a .981 fielding %. 

In 1992 he signed with the California Angels playing there one season, batting .212 in 95 games. In
1993 he signed with the Seattle Mariners playing in their minor league system.

Career Stats: In his ten-year career, Fitzgerald batted .235 with 545 hits 48 HRs 95 doubles 9 triples 180 runs scored & 293 RBIs. He struck out 321 batters with 292 walks, posting a .321 on base % & 667 OPS. He caught 748 games behind the plate with a .987 fielding percentage throwing out 23% of would-be base stealers.

Family: Fitzgerald is a born-again Christian. Mike & his wife live in Long Beach California with their two children.