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1965 Ron Swoboda New York Mets Game Worn Hat
"Rocky" was his nickname, and Mets outfielder Ron Swoboda didn't earn it for his any fisticuffs. No, Swoboda was called Rocky by teammates because of his poor (rocky) fielding. But the ebullient Swoboda never let his fielding get him down, and ironically, he is today most remembered by his spectacular fielding play that helped the 1969 Miracle Mets win the World Series. Displayed is a 1965, Ron Swoboda New York Mets' game worn cap from his rookie season. Swoboda made his Major League debut in '65, and he got off to a powerful start at the plate, hitting 15 home runs by the All-Star break, the most of any Mets' rookie in the first half of a season until Pete Alonso hit 25 homers by the All-Star break in 2019. Swoboda later explained that in the first half of that '65 season he was seeing mostly fastballs, but when he hit so many dingers off fastballs in the season's first half, opposing pitchers tried to get him out on curves, and Swoboda hit only four homers in the second half of the season. When the offered cap was worn, during the '65 season, Swoboda hit 19 home runs, batted .228, and had 50 RBIs. Ron, popular with fans and teammates alike, is most remembered for a wondrous, diving catch he made of a fly ball by the Baltimore Orioles' Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, to stop an Orioles' rally, in the 9th inning of Game 4 of the '69 World Series. That catch helped the Mets to eventually win the game by a 2-1 score in the 10th inning and go on to win the World Series 4-1 in games, an amazing upset for the Miracle Mets, who shocked the baseball world in their World Series upset. Swoboda is mainly remembered as a New York Met (1995-70), but he also played for the Montreal Expos (1970) and the New York Yankees (1970-71). After his playing career, he became a baseball broadcaster. The cap is from the Louis Kendrick collection; he got items directly from players and teams. Kendrick's original identification card is stapled to the brim. This 2.2x3.1" card reads, in type, "1965 - cap. NEW YORK MET'S (sic) Ron Swoboda Sept. 25, 1965. This CAP was worn by Met', (sic) outfielder RON SWOBODA. Recived (sic) this CAP from the late MR. JOHN J. MURPHY/NEW YORK MET'S (sic) VICE PRESIDENT." The cap has Tim McAullife and KM Pro tagging inside. The cap is a size 7 1/4. A vintage "14," written by an unknown hand is black marker, is under the brim. Swoboda, now a broadcaster with the minor league New Orleans Baby Cakes, relates that fans sometimes kid him, saying, "How long are you going to keep living off of one catch?" Swoboda answers, "How long have I got left?" The game worn Swoboda Mets' cap is in excellent condition, particularly considering its 58-year-old age. Its blue and orange colors are still vibrant. The cap presents a wonderful remembrance from a '65 rookie who became a lovable Mets hero of the '69, legendary Miracle Mets.
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