Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of Bob Aspromonte

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Memories of
Bob Aspromonte

Bob Aspromonte
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 199 of 1252 players

Robert Thomas Aspromonte
Born: June 19, 1938 at Brooklyn, N.Y.
Throws: Right Bats: Right
Height: 6.02 Weight: 190

Bob Aspromonte was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on November 30, 2014, February 18, 2019, and June 19, 2020.

First Mets game: April 6, 1971
Last Mets game: September 28, 1971

Share your memories of Bob Aspromonte

HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY:

Roscoe
The first game I ever went to was June 19, 1971, on Bob Aspromonte's birthday! I remember Bob mainly for this, and for being the last active Brooklyn Dodger.

Al
What do Bob Aspromonte, John Franco and Pete Falcone have in common with Sandy Koufax? They all went to Lafayette H.S. in Brooklyn (so did Bob's brother Ken, who played mostly with the Cleveland Indians...I think).

Mikey T (Biggest Mets Fan in Ohio)
I collect Mets cards and wrote to Bob Aspromonte and included a 1971 Topps card to be autographed. When my SASE was returned, he had included an awesome promtional photo from that year, autographed with Best Wishes to me. Class and thoughtfulness!

EG
March 18, 2001
For some reason, his 71 Topps was one of my favorites. Had no idea he was the last of the active Brooklyn Dodgers. I think his brother was managing the Indians at the same time.

Michael Puccio
March 14, 2002
I remember going to a Mets game with my father sometime in '71 or '72 and meeting Bob outside of the stadium after the game. I was a very shy lad back then and, after being convinced by my dad, nervously approached him to ask him for his autograph. Seeing how nervous I was being in front of him and another Mets player (I forget who) he smiled at me and gently took the piece of paper I had in my hand and signed it, wishing me the best. I'll never forget that. To me Bob is probably one of the alltime classiest players who was fortunate enough to play in an era where you didnt have to fork over financial funds to get a player's autograph like you have to today. I hope all is going well with Bob today and God Bless him and his family.

Craig Olshlager
April 30, 2002
I first became a Met fan in 1971. Bob became my first baseball hero because of his very hot start that year. I remember when I went to my first night game in 1971. It was in August. At 3rd base, Bob made a couple of phenomenal plays! I was thrilled. These memories have stayed with me. It was one of the first games that Jon Matlack started. On a slow squibber, Bob had to push a young and flustered Matlack out of his way and made bullet throw to first... and got the out. WAY TO GO, BOB! I'll never forget it!

Bill Schulhoff
August 12, 2002
My "Bob Aspromonte" memory is meeting him several times outside of Shea Stadium after games. He was the most approachable, fan-friendly player there was. After speaking with him several times, he remembered us (as kids, we went to Shea quite a bit) and would approach us as we stood around the player exit outside, sometimes introducing us to his guests and family members. A real claasy gentleman who made us feel special.

johnmn55
January 23, 2003
In the 70's, every year there was a new stiff brought in at third (Foy, Fregosi, Staiger etc.). Aspromonte was '71's version.

MikeR
October 1, 2003
Bob Aspromonte is still a great guy and really appreciates his fans. I wrote him a letter a few years ago and he responded and included an autographed photo of him. Great Guy!

Kiwiwriter
July 13, 2004
It's funny how the last active New York Giant (Willie Mays) and the last active Brooklyn Dodger (Bob Aspromonte) ended their careers with the New York Mets.

Feat Fan
March 29, 2006
Brooklyn born (as am I) Aspro the ASTRO, was on the decline when he joined the team in '71. Joining the likes of Boyer,Fregosi and Foy, still not the answer at third base for the Amazin's!
Was a slick fielding, competent hitter during his Houston days, handled the bat well and played hard. Just not for us.

Jamey Bumbalo
November 11, 2006
His only claim to fame during his time with the Mets was, as most fans know, he was the active last major leaguer to have played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. About 10 years ago I had a customer service telephone job, and a customer named Aspromonte called in. She was surprised when I asked her if she was related to Bob and his brother Ken. (She was.)

Inz 41
January 26, 2008
My first baseball glove was a Spalding Bob Aspromonte autographed model. I still have it. Aspromonte was no David Wright, but he was a big improvement from Joe Foy.

Hank M
April 30, 2008
I went to my first Mets' game on June 19, 1971. I wore a Mets' uniform with Bob's number 2 on it that day. I never really knew why I decided on that number. Looking back, though, it was probably because I was just finishing second grade in school. But I did know that it was Bob's uniform I was wearing.
It was a memorable Helmet Day at Shea. The Mets won, 6-5, in 15 innings. Bob got into the game as a pinch hitter. I think he batted for Ron Taylor.
As Roscoe describes in the entry above, this game was played on Bob's birthday. I didn't know this at the time, but wish that I did. Still, it feels good to know that on my first visit to Shea Stadium, I donned the uniform of a Mets' player on his special day.

Patricia Nowlin
May 10, 2008
I became a fan and was in Bob Aspromonte's fan club while he played third base for the Colt .45's and wore the #14 uniform. It was always a delight to get to meet him and to get his autograph. I took a picture with him which I still have. My grandparents or my aunt and uncle always took us to the games in the old Colt .45 stadium and at the Astrodome. There will never be as far as I'm concerned another third baseman as great as Bob.

Jimrat
September 19, 2008
There's a truly amazing story involving Bob I recently became aware of. In 1963, a boy in Arkansas was struck by lightning and lost his vision. He was taken to Houston for treatment. The boy wanted to meet Bob (then with the Colt .45s), who obliged by visiting him in the hospital. The two became close immediately.
Bob wasn't a power hitter, but he promised the boy he would hit a home run for him in the game that day. Bob did just that, thrilling the still sightless lad. The boy eventually became able to see again and wanted Bob to hit another homer for him; one that he could see. Bob said he would do it and proceeded to hit a game-ending grand slam! A month later, he hit another grand slam promised to the kid, who was in the stands to witness it. It was an incredible series of events for both Bob and this boy!
How many times has it been told that Babe Ruth promised to hit a home run for little Johnny dying in the hospital? That is nothing but a myth. With Bob and his young friend, the story is true. Despite not being a hall-of-famer, Bob is a real baseball hero.

Mark Shallin
February 21, 2012
It was the last day of the '67 season at Shea, and Astro Bob "Aspro" Aspromonte hit a homer to left field that hit the top of the fence and bounced into the Astro's bullpen. I wasn't thrilled when the Mets got him but he was just another in a long line of one year stopgap 3rd basemen -- weren't he and Fregosi interchangeable? -- except we gave Ron Herbel for him and gave up Nolan Ryan for Fregosi. The worst trade in Mets history.

E. M. Edwards
March 22, 2020
I was at Bob Aspromonte day. Interesting enough that was his only year with the Mets, after spending 12 years with other teams, and then retired. That very well could've been the best birthday he had. He was showered with a ton of gifts, and a gorgeous Cadillac! Lite blue and white top.

John biscuti
November 9, 2020
I remember going to a Mets game with my father and my uncle Joe (Jocko) Vassallo. My uncle was 12 years older than Bob. My uncle called him over, and he gave my uncle a hug, and said I used to carry your uncle's bats when I was a kid. I could not believe that I was talking to a major leaguer. He told me how good a ball player my uncle was. A day I always think about with fondness.

Louis Baffuto
November 4, 2022
The first time that I met Bob Aspromonte was in 1962, I was 9 years old. He was playing softball across the street from Lafayette High School. When I approached him for an autograph he put his glove on top of my head. Then saw him play against the Mets at the Polo Grounds. I followed his career. I went to his parents house twice. Took a picture with him and then to get a poster autographed. For my 60th birthday someone informed him and he mailed me a birthday card. I just got a autographed Colt 45 jersey. When I look back I remember how pleasant he was, not like the players of today.

Patricia Charron
April 15, 2024
I had stopped at the Jack Tar hotel in San Francisco for breakfast on my way to Candlestick to see the Astros play the Giants. Had a big crush on Bob at the time and had hoped I would get to see him for breakfast. Was the tender, innocent age of 17 and had never come into contact with gay people before when one sat several seats away from me and kept bothering me. Bob and several others came in to eat and sat by me. I leaned over towards Bob and told him the guy wouldn’t leave me alone. He got a big grin on his face, and calmly said, that’s no guy, that’s a girl dressed to look like a guy! One of the other players told me not to worry, the Astros would take care of me as they recognized me from the ballpark from where I would usually wait for my adopted uncle who was the visiting club house manager for the Giants in the players parking lot before and after games.