If you took a poll for which player was the most beloved in Mets history, Mookie Wilson would be close to the top of that list. Wilson brought a brand of speed to Shea that was never seen before and he was not only loved by the fans but respected by his management and peers as well.

Wilson spent almost 10 seasons in New York as a player - where he hit .276 with 60 homers, 342 RBIs and a club record 281 stolen bases. He also spent six seasons on the Mets coaching staff working under Bobby Valentine.

These days the Mets former base stealer is spending his days down in Kingsport, TN as the manager of the Appalachian League (R) Kingsport Mets. Mookie still has the same good nature that endeared himself to the fans and loves every minute of his job.

“I enjoy it. It’s an experience,” Wilson said and adding that he loves seeing the progress of the young kids under his guidance.

For any manager there are influences on his style of managing. Mookie feels the same way. While saying he is his own man he does credit some of the managers in the past that he played for influencing his managerial style.

“I don’t try to emulate any (one) manager,” he said. “I played for laid back mangers like Joe Torre and Davey Johnson and (intense) managers like (his minor league manager) Frank Verdi. I try to be myself in my own way.”

And that has helped the former Mets centerfielder in his second year of managing Kingsport. It is a rookie league, so the players down there are in their first year. Right now most are raw talents and Wilson is helping them harness their skill.

“Most guys are in their first year and will play two months of the year (here),” Wilson told us. “Talent wise you are hoping for some progress”

The skipper did mention to look out for Carlos Gomez. Mookie feels that this player “could be something special.” It is too early to tell what Gomez will do, but currently the outfielder is hitting .280 with 1 home run and 19 RBIs in 143 at-bats. He has also swiped 8 bases, which may be the reason he has caught his manager’s eye.

Speed was Mookie’s game, but if anything he will be remembered for that one at-bat in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. It was two outs and Wilson was trying to keep the Mets alive. What happened in that series of pitches from Bob Stanley made him a part of baseball history.

“I just didn’t want to be the last out,” he said with a laugh. “Being a hero was not what I was trying to do.”

Besides that game Wilson also added that he fondly remembers being called up to the Majors and a home run that he hit off of Bruce Sutter to win a game at Shea.

Yet that was ages ago and Mookie is looking forward. Right now he feels that he is paying his managerial dues and hopes that he will be moved up to a higher level next year.

“I don’t expect to be in rookie ball next year. I haven’t put out any goal, but I am confident that I would be moved up,” he said.

Mookie does not want to be a career minor league instructor. Wilson is looking to move to the top and is aiming himself to manage in the Major Leagues one day.

“Everybody down here wants to manage in the Big Leagues one day,” he said with a laugh.

Photo by David G. Whitham, courtesy of kcmets.

  E-mail this story |  Printer-friendly |  Discuss