Met Legend Bud Harrleson Passes Away
Bud Harrelson of the New York Mets waving to fans during the celebration of the 20th reunion of the World Series team of 1986 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York on August 19, 2006. (Photo by Bryan Yablonsky/Getty Images)
Mets legend Bud Harrleson passed away Thursday at the age of 79.
According to the New York Post, Harrelson was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s back in 2016.
A member of the Miracle Mets of 1969, Harrelson was a beloved figure for Mets fans, who had been a major part of the franchise both as a player, coach and manager.
A two-time National League All Star in 1970 and 1971, Harrelson played 13 years in the Major League’s for the Mets, amassing 1,029 hits (7th all time in Mets history), and 490 runs scored (11th all time in Mets history). He is also third all time in triples with 45, and eighth all time in Mets history in stolen bases with 115.
Harrelson had three hits and a run scored in the 1969 World Series that the Mets won in five games over the Baltimore Orioles. Four years later, he was a member of the 1973 National League champions, who lost to Oakland in seven games of that World Series. However, his postseason in ’73 is probably best remembered for fighting Pete Rose at second base when Rose slid hard into second base with Harrleson covering.
He would win his second World Series ring in 1986 as a member of the Mets coaching staff. In fact he was the third base coach when Ray Knight famously scored the game winning run in Game 6 of the World Series against Boston. Harrleson later managed the Metropolitans from 1990-91, winning 145 games.
He would spend his later years managing the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.
Celebrate Muhammad Ali's Birthday With These Highlights
Muhammed Ali would have celebrated his 82nd on January 17th.
Very few athletes can boast the title of undisputed GOAT in their sport. One boxer, however, left no room for debate over who is the best. Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., aka Muhammad Ali, is not only the greatest boxer of all time but one of the best athletes in history and one of the most recognizable figures in American culture. Born in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky Ali came from humble beginnings. Ali began his boxing career at just 12 years old on the advice of coach Joe E. Martin.
From there he found immediate success, with an amateur record of 100 wins and 5 losses Ali won Olympic gold in 1960 just before making his professional debut. Ali faced the toughest competition in his professional bouts. High-profile opponents include George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Sonny Liston. With an impressive record of 56 wins and 5 losses, he went undefeated for the first decade of his career. Only two athletes hold wins over Ali that were not avenged in rematches, Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick. Despite a few losses Ali was the first fighter to win the world heavyweight title three separate times, and defended his title 19 times.
Lesser known bouts include three entertaining exhibition bouts that Ali partook in. Two of which here against former NHL and NFL players. One of Ali’s least known but most influential bouts was a 1976 exhibition match against Antonio Inoki. Inoki was a Japanese wrestler and martial artist. Although Ali was not happy with the match and it ultimately ended in an uninteresting draw, it foreshadowed the rise of mixed martial arts. While today major organizations such as the UFC feature mixed-style bouts, Ali was a boxing wrestler nearly 50 years ago!
In addition to his impressive boxing resume, Ali is also remembered as a cultural icon and activist. He was even awarded the Philadelphia Liberty Medal for his lifelong contributions to philanthropy and activism.
Check out five of Ali’s greatest highlights below!
Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.
