New York Mets hero and two-time World Series champion Ron Taylor passed away on Monday at age 87 in Toronto after a lengthy illness, the team announced.
Taylor made his Major League Baseball debut with the Cleveland Indians in 1962 before joining the St. Louis Cardinals the next year.
It was with the Cardinals in 1964 that he won his first World Series. Yet, Taylor was best known for his time with the Mets.
Taylor played for the Mets from 1967 through 1971, including his infamous run in 1969, which helped the Queens franchise win the World Series.
In 1969, Taylor led the Mets with 59 appearances and had 13 saves. He had a 9–4 record and a 2.72 earned-run average.
‘Ron was the only guy on our staff with postseason experience,’ said former Met Art Shamsky via news release. ‘He had won a championship with the Cardinals in 1964 and brought a winning mentality. We don’t win the title without Ron Taylor.’
New York Mets hero Ron Taylor (left) passed away on Monday at 87. Pictured is Tom Seaver
Taylor (left) is pictured here during the Mets’ 1969 championship run with Jerry Grote (right)
Taylor ended his playing career in 1972 after the Mets sold his contract to the Montreal Expos, who did not use him in a game.
He made his final few appearances for the San Diego Padres before retiring for good.
Taylor was on the Toronto Blue Jays medical staff from 1977 until his retirement in 2014.
On staff with the Blue Jays, albeit not in the dugout, Toronto won the 1992 and 1993 World Series titles.
Taylor ended his big-league career with a record of 45-43 and 464 strikeouts.
