Hobie Landrith, the FIRST player in New York Mets history, dies at age 93 after a 14-year MLB career with SEVEN different franchises
Hobie Landrith, the first player in Mets history, passed away last Thursday at the age of 93.
Landrith joined the Mets in the 1961 expansion draft as the team’s first pick, playing 23 games with the team before being traded to the Orioles the following year.
The news was reported by the Mets’ longtime public relations director — and current vice president of alumni relations — Jay Horwitz.
Horwitz said he had previously contacted Landrith “a few years ago,” and the catcher shared how he felt about his New York stint.
“He always cherished his short time with the Mets,” Horwitz wrote.
Hobie Landrith, a left-handed catcher, is featured on a 1955 baseball card
Landrith (center) is seen with former Giants Willie McCovey and Tom Haller in 2003
Before joining the Mets for their first season in 1962, Landrith played for the Cincinnati Redlegs, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants.
And after his time in New York, he spent parts of two seasons with the Orioles before completing his career with the Washington Senators in 1963.
Over 14 seasons, Landrith batted .233 with 34 home runs.
He hit a total of 450 hits in his career.