Remembering Mets History (1982) Joel Youngblood Plays For Two MLB Teams On The Same Day
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Joel Youngblood had been with the Mets since 1977, the versatile outfielder had a strong arm. He also played infield positions second base, third base & two games at short for the Mets. He actually made the 1981 All Star team as well. He was a good player on a bad team, that never found a permanent position for two long.
When the new Mets ownership took over, things began to change. As a young Mookie Wilson arrived with the Mets, there was less room for Youngblood.
He felt he was good enough to start on the poor club & if not, he asked to be traded. He also knew his days in New York were numbered.
When the new Mets ownership took over, things began to change. As a young Mookie Wilson arrived with the Mets, there was less room for Youngblood.
He felt he was good enough to start on the poor club & if not, he asked to be traded. He also knew his days in New York were numbered.
New York Mets Manager, George Bamberger, was well aware that a trade was being negotiated for his All-Star outfielder.Mets Game: As the Mets were in Chicago playing the Cubs. Met Manager, George Bamberger, penciled in Youngblood as the Mets cleanup hitter, in the line up for that day.
In the 1st inning, Youngblood struck out against Hall of Famer, Fergie Jenkins. In the 3rd inning, with the Mets up 1-0 & the bases loaded, Youngblood singled off Jenkins scoring Wally Backman & pitcher Craig Swan.
In the middle of the next inning, Mookie Wilson was put in the game, replacing Youngblood. After getting the RBI hit, Joel was feeling like he was to have a good day at the plate & wondered why he was being removed from the game.
He went over to ask his manager about the move. Manager George Bamberger informed him that he had just been traded to the Montreal Expos.
In the 1st inning, Youngblood struck out against Hall of Famer, Fergie Jenkins. In the 3rd inning, with the Mets up 1-0 & the bases loaded, Youngblood singled off Jenkins scoring Wally Backman & pitcher Craig Swan.
In the middle of the next inning, Mookie Wilson was put in the game, replacing Youngblood. After getting the RBI hit, Joel was feeling like he was to have a good day at the plate & wondered why he was being removed from the game. He went over to ask his manager about the move. Manager George Bamberger informed him that he had just been traded to the Montreal Expos.
He also stated that, the Montreal team was short players and wanted Youngblood to join the ball club as soon as he could. They were asking to see if he could make it to that night's Expo game scheduled in Philadelphia.
Youngblood exited the Mets dugout, saying goodbye to his teammates, telling them what had happened. In the locker room he showered, packed his bags and got a cab to the airport.
It was then he realized he forgot his glove at Wrigley Field. He told the cab driver; he'd give him a big tip, but he had to go back to the ballpark to get the glove, real fast then get to the airport.
Quotes- Joel Youngblood: "And I knew that would take away from the time I had, and I was jeopardizing my opportunity to make that flight. But I’d played with that glove for years. So, I went back, got my glove, and the cab got me to the airport in probably another 30 minutes. It was a 6:05 flight – 7:05 Philly time.”
He eventually caught the next flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Philadelphia, arriving at Veterans Stadium just as the night game began.
Youngblood exited the Mets dugout, saying goodbye to his teammates, telling them what had happened. In the locker room he showered, packed his bags and got a cab to the airport.
It was then he realized he forgot his glove at Wrigley Field. He told the cab driver; he'd give him a big tip, but he had to go back to the ballpark to get the glove, real fast then get to the airport.Quotes- Joel Youngblood: "And I knew that would take away from the time I had, and I was jeopardizing my opportunity to make that flight. But I’d played with that glove for years. So, I went back, got my glove, and the cab got me to the airport in probably another 30 minutes. It was a 6:05 flight – 7:05 Philly time.”
He eventually caught the next flight from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Philadelphia, arriving at Veterans Stadium just as the night game began.
There in the visitors' locker room, the Expos already had a uniform waiting for him. It had his long last name &uniform number already stitched in on the back of it.
Expos Game: Youngblood now a Montreal Expo, got dressed and walked into his new team’s dugout, getting greeted by Montreal manager; Jim Fanning.Fanning inserted him in right field, replacing Jerry White in the 6th inning. He came to bat in the top of the 7th and singled off the Phillies future Hall of Famer, Steve Carlton.
Youngblood made baseball history, becoming the first player to get two hits on the same day for two different teams. It must also be noted that he accomplished the feat, against two future Hall of Fame pitchers.
At the end of 1982, he would become a free agent & sign with the San Francisco Giants.
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