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Rod Gaspar
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 125 of 1252 players
Rodney Earl Gaspar
Born: April 3, 1946 at Long Beach, Cal.
Throws: Left Bats: Both
Height: 5.11 Weight: 165

Rod Gaspar was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on November 12, 2008, September 29, 2012, April 3, 2014, December 29, 2017, August 5, 2018, February 7, 2019, November 19, 2022, and March 18, 2024.

First Mets game: April 8, 1969
Last Mets game: October 1, 1970

Share your memories of Rod Gaspar HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY: Mr. Sparkle April 27, 2001 Marginal player at best, scores a huge run to help the Mets win a game in the 69 series and then pretty much fades away. Still, I'd take his career any day. The guy's gotta feel lucky to have been at the right place at the right time. Big Dave Shaw June 2, 2001 I remember my Dad piled me and about 7 friends into the family station wagon for Mets vs. San Fran on 5/30/69. I was in the bathroom when Shea crowd of 52,000-plus erupted 'cause Gaspar hit his only major league HR. I raced back inside just in time to see him crossing the plate. Mets won 4-3 on Duffy Dyer's pinch single late in game for victory #3 during important 11- game winning streak. Mike Tenenbaum August 3, 2001 Right after clinching the 1969 NL pennant, Gaspar told Lindsey Nelson of the club's chances of beating the Baltimore Orioles, which many then-experts said was one of the greatest teams ever put together. "We'll beat 'em in four straight!" Gaspar exclaimed. And after game five of the World Series, there was Lindsey Nelson interviewing Rod Gaspar. "Didn't I tell you? Didn't I tell you we're gonna beat them in four straight?" Mike Dolitsky August 5, 2001 A follow-up to Mike Tenenbaum's posting...before the World Series, a reporter relayed Gaspar's prediction that the Mets would win in 4 straight to Frank Robinson. Robinson's response was "Who the hell is 'Ron' Gaspar"? Robby found out the answer in game 4 of the series when Gaspar scored the winning run on the infamous J.C. Martin play. Gilinfiji February 7, 2002 I was only 2 when the Mets won the '69 series, but I'll always remember him because of how Bob Murphy described him throwing out a Giant in a game down the stretch, on my old "Miracle Mets" record. How many of how you out there have that, too? Remember? "...the throw coming by Rod Gaspar and he is OOOOOUUUUUUT at the plate!!! Oh, what a throw by Gaspar!! Grote...rolls the ball back toward the mound on the gorund, now Clendenon picks the ball up, fires to third and (Bobby) Pfeil tags McCovey, double play! Double play and the side is out! An unbelievable throw from the left-field corner...An unbelievable throw by Rod Gaspar...the ballgame will go into extra innings." jamesl May 1, 2002 I remember during the miricale year of 1969 coming home from Rockaway beach and going in the bath tub to relax. I bought my radio in the bathroom. The Mets were playing the '68 NL Champs the ST. Louis Cards. The Mets are ahead 1-0 late in the game and the Cards have a runner on second. The batter gets a hit and the runner is going to test Rod's arm and try to score. The announcer (I think it was Murphy) is yelling " here comes the throw and he is (long pregnant pause) OOOUUUUTTTT!!!" Mets go on to win 1-0. Am I remembering this right? Does anyone know who the runner or batter was? I think Rod had 12 outfield assists as a sub. Word was he had a weak arm, therefore teams ran on him. Guess they never caught on. JohnB September 2, 2002 I recall Gaspar as one of the ultimate role players in 1969. He didn't put up great stats, but he always seemed to be doing something to help the Mets win. Robert September 10, 2002 Hey jamesl, I don't remember who the batter for St. Louis was, but I'll swear the runner was none other than Lou Brock. Gaspar had an ungodly number of assists for a guy who only played an inning or two a game. Jonathan Stern September 12, 2004 A classic Met - a little guy with marginal skills who made good when it was all on the line, then faded away. But Rod's story is a little less inspiring than most - or perhaps it isn't. You decide. Like too many Mets, Rod let his 1969 success go to his head... and stomach. He showed up to Spring Training 1970 under the full assumption that he was a member of the Opening Day roster. But Gil Hodges and the Mets saw him play, and thought otherwise. Gaspar did not handle his demotion well. The Dick Schaap book on the 1969 team portrays Gaspar as a cocky young colt who did not handles benchings well either. Gaspar never did reestablish himself as a major leaguer following his 1970 demotion. In Maury Allen's book, Gaspar describes his post-baseball embracing of religion. "We were blessed" is stated often during the interview. Then, some years later, in the "Alumni" section of a mid-90's issue of Inside Pitch, there was no religion talk. Only the lament of an unhappy man who, by his own admittance, wasted his big-league career. Gaspar deserves a lot of credit for being so honest with himself and Mets fans. Still, that Inside Pitch article made for very sad reading. The Big Train October 20, 2004 I briefly corresponded with Rod. It was quite clear that he is still a man who practices his faith openly. Bill Parrinello March 14, 2005 I was 12 in 1969. During June of that Championship season I wrote a fan letter to Rod Gaspar and other members of the Mets. My letter to Rod was simple, just telling him that he was one of my favorite players. I also wrote to some other players, Agee, Seaver, Harrelson, Jones and Charles. Hey when you're home in June from school you have free time. Anyway the only player I heard from was Rod Gaspar. He even sent me a autograph picture which I still have today. I never did hear from the other players; only Gaspar. So here it is 36 years later and Rod still rocks in my childhood memories! Mark May 4, 2005 Thanks Gilinfiji for reminding me of that great replay from the Miracle Mets record. I remember the play and it was a great throw by Gaspar. Rod Gaspar has to rank up there with Ringo Starr as one of the luckiest guys of all time. He played one full season in the majors, and it was with the Miracle Mets. Although his numbers may not show it he was an important piece of the puzzle in 1969. Where would the team have been without his many outfield assists? Jamey Bumbalo February 12, 2006 As many fans have observed, Rod Gaspar was without a doubt a lucky player who was with the right team at the right time. He did indeed play a crucial role in 1969 (his 1970 Topps card noted that he was mostly used as a defensive replacement). After 1969? I don't know about his outfield play, but in 1970, '71, and '74 he batted 5 for 45. Mark June 29, 2008 If we are all remembering the same play, it was against the Giants in Candlestick. The batter was Willie McCovey and the runner was Bob Burda. What made it more impressive was that the Mets had put on a "McCovey Shift" where the outfielders moved over towards right field and Gaspar was lined up basically in left-center. McCovey then hit the ball to deep left - so Gaspar had to cover some ground before fielding and throwing the ball. Witz November 11, 2008 I had to add this to a (years) earlier post that only tells half of one of the great stories to come out of 1969: Frank Robinson said something to the effect of 'Bring on Ron Gaspar!" When informed by teammate Merv Rettenmund that "it's Rod, stupid," the great man replied, "OK, then bring on Rod Stupid!" That story and his run scoring highlight from the Series, is all I know about Rod. RF Mojica December 13, 2010 In 1969, when I was only seven years old, my father, who was an old Giants fan, took us to a game at Shea to see the Mets play the Giants. Since I was so young, all I could remember about the game was that it was the first night game I ever went to, that Mike McCormick had a no-hitter going into the seventh inning and that Ron Swoboda broke up the no-hitter with a home run. With these facts, I looked up the box score of that game on the internet and discovered that it took place on May 30th and Rod Gaspar also hit a home run in that game. Looking up his record here, I find it was the only home run he ever hit in the major leagues. So the game had some distinction. Instead of seeing a no-hitter in person, I got to see Rod Gaspar's only major league home run in person. Maybe not as memorable as a no-hitter, but it's still something. Sixty-Niner April 8, 2013 During the '69 World Series celebration, Rod poured champagne over the head of Mayor John Lindsay on national television. Hizzoner himself returned the favor to him right away. How many players with career stats that feature a .208 batting average with one homer in 178 games played can say they did something like this? John Leonard March 11, 2019 I remember he tried for an inside-the-park home run that was some shot, and his hustle around the bases. MetsTV May 30, 2021 A few months after the 1969 World Series, Rod appeared with Ken Boswell and Wayne Garrett on an episode of The Dating Game. The three Mets players (unmarried at the time) were in competition for a date with a young lady. After they all answered a few questions from her, Rod was the lucky bachelor chosen and won a ski trip for two to Switzerland. I wonder how well he did on the slopes. Larry’s Mets Memories July 20, 2022 The Ringo Starr of 1969! The Charlie Brown of the Mets, with /his round head, but luckier! Far luckier than Lou Gehrig! An object of ridicule for the Orioles’ Frank Robinson. But a fielding specialist who also scored the winning run in Game 4 of the World Series. Also, dumped champagne over Mayor Lindsay’s head in front of stunned nation (more by the disbelieving fact that the Mets were WS Champs!) Then won a date on "The Dating Game". A lot to occupy on any NY Mets Hall-of-Fame plaque! Just kidding! But a modest man, a Met forever! Thanx for the legacy, Mr. Gaspar -every bit as good a right "fielder" as "Fran" Robinson, whoever the heck he is! Paul Tonaki December 28, 2022 Rod Gaspar played in Hawaii in the early 70's when I was 10 yrs old in '72. Hawaii was the AAA affiliate of the Padres, and where Al Michaels started his career. I know Rod Gaspar as Rocket Rod, an all time great centerfielder in Hawaii baseball lore. I'm sure Rod doesn't want to hear this, but as a kid, it seemed like he played in Hawaii forever. He is definitely one of the all time Hawaii Islander greats. Thanks for the memories Rod! John April 26, 2023 I am a Mets fan, but I remember Rod Gaspar from his time with the Hawaii Islanders. I moved to Hawaii in 1971 and I lived a block away from the old wooden baseball stadium. I went to a lot of games and Rod was always a fan favorite. Great personality and seemed like a really good player. After a couple of years Gaspar was gone, the old stadium was torn down and then the Islanders were gone. As I write this I am watching the Mets vs the Nationals on MLB.tv Back in those days they did not even have live radio for away games. The announcers would "recreate" games as they came in via teletype, A pencil tapped on a block of wood sounded like a bat hitting the ball. Good stuff!

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