It takes all kinds, and the 1969 Mets had them, from the glamorously terrific Tom Seaver to the scrappy Bud Harrelson to all manner of kids, veterans, role players and indispensable cogs in between.
But Jerry Grote stood alone, both as the behind-the-plate anchor for a young, talented pitching staff and for his personality.
He was a rough-around-the-edges Texan whose grit and grouchiness could irritate everyone from opponents to sportswriters to even teammates, and it was an essential part of that team’s Amazin’ run to a world championship.
In hockey, they call it “sandpaper.” That is a loaded term in pitching and catching circles, of course, but it fits here. Grote was an abrasive who polished a gem.
By the time he died at 81 on Sunday — back home in Texas, naturally — he had become a historical footnote for most younger Mets fans, but not to those who watched him play, or played with or against him.
“He was the reason for my success,” pitcher Jerry Koosman said in comments from Grote’s teammates released by the Mets. “I am heartbroken. No one was better behind the plate.”
Shortly after Cleon Jones caught Davey Johnson’s fly ball to end the ’69 World Series, Grote caught Koosman on the mound in a leaping, celebratory hug that became an iconic image of that day.
Mets catcher Jerry Grote, right, embraces pitcher Jerry Koosman as Ed Charles, left, joins the celebration after the Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the Game 5 to win the World Series at Shea Stadium on Oct. 16. 1969 Credit: AP
“Jerry was a bulldog,” Jones said. “He was the glue that kept the staff together.”
But the most telling testimony about Grote’s skill came from opponents, notably including the man widely considered the greatest defensive catcher of that era.
“Johnny Bench once told me, ‘If [Grote] was on the Reds, I would be playing third base,’ ” Ed Kranepool said.
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