The Day I Met Art Shamsky
Who is Art Shamsky? Arthur Louis Shamsky was a pro baseball player that played for the Reds, Mets, Cubs and Athletics. He won a world series with the New York Mets in 1969, recording the last out as a pinch-hitter in the only game the Mets lost in that series.
Art Shamsky once played a game in which he homered to tie the game and then hit two extra inning homers in his next two at bats (the Reds - his team then - lost). The next game, Shamsky hit a homer in his first at bat tying him with a select few individuals that have homered in four consecutive at-bats.
in 1968 Shamsky was traded to the Mets and he hit .300 with 14 HR and 47 RBI that seaoson for them..
Art Shamsky was a member of a Mets ballclub that was part of an incredible era in sports history. With the country in a tumultuous state with the Vietnam War and other events happening, the Mets came into the world series with the oddsmakers putting them as a 1-100 chance to win. They proved the world wrong beating the then mighty Baltimore Orioles. Prior to the Mets series appearance the New York Jets played their way to a football championship game (now called Superbowl III) and beat the Baltimore Colts in a game that they were 17 1/2 point underdog. After the Jets and Mets captured their sports crown the New York Knicks went on to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA finals. To date this is the only time that three city teams have won consecutively. It was the first championship for all three of those teams.
Art Shamksy being part of one of the three teams and knowing members of the other teams well, dreamed of compiling a book with the amazing story of New York sports in a time of confusion in the country. The book, The Magnificent Seasons, captures the story from the view of many different folks around the country. Shamsky interviewed many for the book including New York Governors, Mayor of Baltimore at the time (who's three teams, including the Bullets - who were ousted by the Knicks in the first playoff round - met the three NY teams in the postseason) Vietnam War Vets, Broadcasters and more. The book is an excellent compilation of facts and information about these three championship teams in trying times.
Art Shamsky was one of a few Jewish pro-baseball players back then. Which brings me to why I met Art Shamsky. The local JCC is currently having their annual bookfest, and they usually bring in authors to speak and sign books. This year Shamsky was chosen to come and talk and have a formal book signing. Art came to town on Sunday, December 4th, and spoke for about 40 minutes. In his speech he told this story when asked if he ever encountered anti-semitism while playing: "One year the Mets had a doubleheader on Yom Kippur and I decided to sit out both games. I was not at the ballpark. The Mets won both games 1-0, with each games starting pitcher driving in the lone run (only time in history). When I came back to the stadium and looked in my locker there was a big sign that said 'hey, Art, why don't you sit out the rest of the season!
Mr. Shamsky took questions and I asked him to tell us what he thought of Omar Minaya and the Mets recent moves (that was when they had only signed Wagner and acquired Delgado). He went on to explain that he likes Omar and that the moves seem to be the right ones, they look good, and he thinks that the all the moves will make a difference.Shamsky said: "they still have some needs, a catcher, some bullpen help, but we'll see how it turns out".
Afterward Shamsky signed books for guests and to me he wrote "To Levi: even though you're a Yankee fan, I hope you enjoy the book!" When I asked Art "when you made that final out in that World Series game, did you keep the ball or give it to Doug Mientkiewicz?" he had a good laugh with me.
oVeR AnD oUt!!
Art Shamsky once played a game in which he homered to tie the game and then hit two extra inning homers in his next two at bats (the Reds - his team then - lost). The next game, Shamsky hit a homer in his first at bat tying him with a select few individuals that have homered in four consecutive at-bats.
in 1968 Shamsky was traded to the Mets and he hit .300 with 14 HR and 47 RBI that seaoson for them..
Art Shamsky was a member of a Mets ballclub that was part of an incredible era in sports history. With the country in a tumultuous state with the Vietnam War and other events happening, the Mets came into the world series with the oddsmakers putting them as a 1-100 chance to win. They proved the world wrong beating the then mighty Baltimore Orioles. Prior to the Mets series appearance the New York Jets played their way to a football championship game (now called Superbowl III) and beat the Baltimore Colts in a game that they were 17 1/2 point underdog. After the Jets and Mets captured their sports crown the New York Knicks went on to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA finals. To date this is the only time that three city teams have won consecutively. It was the first championship for all three of those teams.
Art Shamksy being part of one of the three teams and knowing members of the other teams well, dreamed of compiling a book with the amazing story of New York sports in a time of confusion in the country. The book, The Magnificent Seasons, captures the story from the view of many different folks around the country. Shamsky interviewed many for the book including New York Governors, Mayor of Baltimore at the time (who's three teams, including the Bullets - who were ousted by the Knicks in the first playoff round - met the three NY teams in the postseason) Vietnam War Vets, Broadcasters and more. The book is an excellent compilation of facts and information about these three championship teams in trying times.
Art Shamsky was one of a few Jewish pro-baseball players back then. Which brings me to why I met Art Shamsky. The local JCC is currently having their annual bookfest, and they usually bring in authors to speak and sign books. This year Shamsky was chosen to come and talk and have a formal book signing. Art came to town on Sunday, December 4th, and spoke for about 40 minutes. In his speech he told this story when asked if he ever encountered anti-semitism while playing: "One year the Mets had a doubleheader on Yom Kippur and I decided to sit out both games. I was not at the ballpark. The Mets won both games 1-0, with each games starting pitcher driving in the lone run (only time in history). When I came back to the stadium and looked in my locker there was a big sign that said 'hey, Art, why don't you sit out the rest of the season!
Mr. Shamsky took questions and I asked him to tell us what he thought of Omar Minaya and the Mets recent moves (that was when they had only signed Wagner and acquired Delgado). He went on to explain that he likes Omar and that the moves seem to be the right ones, they look good, and he thinks that the all the moves will make a difference.Shamsky said: "they still have some needs, a catcher, some bullpen help, but we'll see how it turns out".
Afterward Shamsky signed books for guests and to me he wrote "To Levi: even though you're a Yankee fan, I hope you enjoy the book!" When I asked Art "when you made that final out in that World Series game, did you keep the ball or give it to Doug Mientkiewicz?" he had a good laugh with me.
oVeR AnD oUt!!
posted by Levi M. at 12:02 AM
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