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Memories of
Rod Gaspar

Rod Gaspar
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 129 of 1218 players
Gaspar
Rodney Earl Gaspar
Born: April 3, 1946 at Long Beach, Cal.
Throws: Left Bats: Both
Height: 5.11 Weight: 165

Rod Gaspar was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on November 12, 2008, September 29, 2012, April 3, 2014, December 29, 2017, August 5, 2018, February 7, 2019, and November 19, 2022.

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First Mets game: April 8, 1969
Last Mets game: October 1, 1970

Share your memories of Rod Gaspar

HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY:

Mr. Sparkle
April 27, 2001
Marginal player at best, scores a huge run to help the Mets win a game in the 69 series and then pretty much fades away. Still, I'd take his career any day. The guy's gotta feel lucky to have been at the right place at the right time.

Mike Tenenbaum
August 3, 2001
Right after clinching the 1969 NL pennant, Gaspar told Lindsey Nelson of the club's chances of beating the Baltimore Orioles, which many then-experts said was one of the greatest teams ever put together. "We'll beat 'em in four straight!" Gaspar exclaimed.

And after game five of the World Series, there was Lindsey Nelson interviewing Rod Gaspar. "Didn't I tell you? Didn't I tell you we're gonna beat them in four straight?"

Mike Dolitsky
August 5, 2001
A follow-up to Mike Tenenbaum's posting...before the World Series, a reporter relayed Gaspar's prediction that the Mets would win in 4 straight to Frank Robinson. Robinson's response was "Who the hell is 'Ron' Gaspar"?

Robby found out the answer in game 4 of the series when Gaspar scored the winning run on the infamous J.C. Martin play.

Gilinfiji
February 7, 2002
I was only 2 when the Mets won the '69 series, but I'll always remember him because of how Bob Murphy described him throwing out a Giant in a game down the stretch, on my old "Miracle Mets" record. How many of how you out there have that, too? Remember? "...the throw coming by Rod Gaspar and he is OOOOOUUUUUUT at the plate!!! Oh, what a throw by Gaspar!! Grote...rolls the ball back toward the mound on the gorund, now Clendenon picks the ball up, fires to third and (Bobby) Pfeil tags McCovey, double play! Double play and the side is out! An unbelievable throw from the left-field corner...An unbelievable throw by Rod Gaspar...the ballgame will go into extra innings."

jamesl
May 1, 2002
I remember during the miricale year of 1969 coming home from Rockaway beach and going in the bath tub to relax. I bought my radio in the bathroom. The Mets were playing the '68 NL Champs the ST. Louis Cards. The Mets are ahead 1-0 late in the game and the Cards have a runner on second. The batter gets a hit and the runner is going to test Rod's arm and try to score. The announcer (I think it was Murphy) is yelling " here comes the throw and he is (long pregnant pause) OOOUUUUTTTT!!!" Mets go on to win 1-0.

Am I remembering this right? Does anyone know who the runner or batter was?

I think Rod had 12 outfield assists as a sub. Word was he had a weak arm, therefore teams ran on him.

Guess they never caught on.

JohnB
September 2, 2002
I recall Gaspar as one of the ultimate role players in 1969. He didn't put up great stats, but he always seemed to be doing something to help the Mets win.

The Big Train
October 20, 2004
I briefly corresponded with Rod. It was quite clear that he is still a man who practices his faith openly.

Bill Parrinello
March 14, 2005
I was 12 in 1969. During June of that Championship season I wrote a fan letter to Rod Gaspar and other members of the Mets. My letter to Rod was simple, just telling him that he was one of my favorite players. I also wrote to some other players, Agee, Seaver, Harrelson, Jones and Charles. Hey when you're home in June from school you have free time. Anyway the only player I heard from was Rod Gaspar. He even sent me a autograph picture which I still have today. I never did hear from the other players; only Gaspar. So here it is 36 years later and Rod still rocks in my childhood memories!

John Leonard
March 11, 2019
I remember he tried for an inside-the-park home run that was some shot, and his hustle around the bases.

Paul Tonaki
December 28, 2022
Rod Gaspar played in Hawaii in the early 70's when I was 10 yrs old in '72. Hawaii was the AAA affiliate of the Padres, and where Al Michaels started his career. I know Rod Gaspar as Rocket Rod, an all time great centerfielder in Hawaii baseball lore. I'm sure Rod doesn't want to hear this, but as a kid, it seemed like he played in Hawaii forever. He is definitely one of the all time Hawaii Islander greats. Thanks for the memories Rod!

John
April 26, 2023
I am a Mets fan, but I remember Rod Gaspar from his time with the Hawaii Islanders. I moved to Hawaii in 1971 and I lived a block away from the old wooden baseball stadium. I went to a lot of games and Rod was always a fan favorite. Great personality and seemed like a really good player. After a couple of years Gaspar was gone, the old stadium was torn down and then the Islanders were gone. As I write this I am watching the Mets vs the Nationals on MLB.tv Back in those days they did not even have live radio for away games. The announcers would "recreate" games as they came in via teletype, A pencil tapped on a block of wood sounded like a bat hitting the ball. Good stuff!








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