A Truly Nice Man
I grew up in New Jersey. The Mick was my hero. I started following the Yankees in 1967 and remember Mel pitching for some pretty bad Yankee teams.
Then in 1986 I took a NY Mets cruise just after they won the World Series. Mel was on that cruise, along with Tommy Agee, Lenny Dysktra, Bobby Ojeda, and a few others. Mel was playing basketball on the ship and hurt his ankle, as I recall.
Finally, I was at Yankee Stadium on Old Timers Day in 2015 when they surprised Mel with a plaque in Monument Park. His body was failing him by then but I know he was totally thrilled to be so honored because he said so!
Thanks, Mel. You were a class act. RIP.
Mark Arzoumanian
Chicago
|