The Bud Harrrelson life and legacy is a big packed-up box full of beautiful memories in the world of sport. Harrelson’s two hits in the 1969 National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves included a go-ahead triple in the fourth inning of the first game and an RBI double in Game 2 of the Mets’ three-game sweep.
Bud Harrelson, an adored figure in the history of the New York Mets, has died at 79 following a struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Harrelson’s influence on baseball and the people connected to the sport, including fans and fellow players, endures as a significant legacy. Beyond his athletic prowess, he was a remarkable individual, leaving indelible memories both within the game and in various aspects of life.
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Life
Harrelson married his first wife Yvonne on December 17, 1965. They later divorced, and Harrelson married Kim Battaglia in 1975.
His children are Kimberly, Timothy, Alexandra, Kassandra and Troy Joseph. Harrelson was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame on Long Island in the baseball category in 1992.
He appeared as himself in a 1999 episode of Everybody Loves Raymond along with several other members of the 1969 Mets. Harrelson resided in East Northport and Hauppauge, New York.
In one of the most famous scenes in baseball history, it was a euphoric Harrelson who waved home Ray Knight with the winning run on Bill Buckner’s error in Game 6 of the ’86 World Series against Boston.
Harrelson also managed the Mets for nearly two seasons, guiding them to a second-place NL East finish in 1990 after taking over in late May. He was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 1986, joining Rusty Staub as the first two players honored.
Harrelson was selected to two All-Star Games and won a Gold Glove during a major league career that lasted from 1965-80. Known to family and teammates as Buddy, he spent his first 13 seasons with New York and was the only man in a Mets uniform during both the 1969 and 1986 World Series.
Harrelson was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 and publicly disclosed his diagnosis in 2018. He died at a hospice in East Northport, New York on January 11, 2024 at age 79.
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Legacy
Following his retirement from playing, Harrelson discovered fulfillment in diverse pursuits. He effectively managed the Mets for nearly two years and subsequently became a part-owner of the Long Island Ducks. His association with the Ducks enabled him to maintain a connection with baseball and exert a lasting influence at grassroots levels.
Harrelson was the anchor of the ’69 Miracle Mets infield and the third base coach in ’86.
In Game 3 of the 1973 National League Championship Series between the Mets and Cincinnati Reds, Pete Rose slid hard into Harrelson at second base on a double play. The two ended up toe-to-toe and then wrestling in the infield dirt at Shea Stadium, triggering a wild, bench-clearing brawl that spilled into the outfield.
Outweighed by more than 30 pounds, the scrawny, gritty Harrelson got the worst of it. But he didn’t back down.
Harrelson was traded to the Phillies in 1978 and spent two years with them before playing his final season for the Texas Rangers. A switch-hitter, he finished his career with a .236 batting average and .616 OPS. He hit seven home runs — never more than one in a season — and stole 127 bases, including a career-high 28 for the Mets in 1971.
Despite his lack of power, Harrelson could be pesky at the plate. He drew 95 walks in 1970 and was always a good bunter. He batted .333 lifetime (20 for 60) against Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, with 14 walks and just three strikeouts for a .459 on-base percentage.
Early in his pro career with the struggling club, he tried switch-hitting at Casey Stengel’s suggestion and stuck with it. In 1972, Harrelson authored an instructional book titled “How to Play Better Baseball.”
After his diagnosis, Harrelson joined the board of directors of Alzheimer’s Association Long Island and worked with his family to raise awareness. He still made it out to Ducks games, eagerly greeting fans as a goodwill ambassador even if he couldn’t throw batting practice or coach first base anymore.
Fight With Pete Rose
A defining moment in Harrelson’s career unfolded during the notorious brawl with Pete Rose in the 1973 NL Championship Series. Despite facing a physical disadvantage, Harrelson demonstrated remarkable determination and character by holding his ground. This incident vividly highlighted his never-say-die ethos, endearing him to fans and earning the respect of teammates.
