Greg Harts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greg Harts |
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: April 21, 1950 Atlanta, Georgia |
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| debut | |||
| September 15, 1973, for the New York Mets | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 20, 1973, for the New York Mets | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .500 | ||
| Home runs | 0 | ||
| Runs batted in | 0 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Gregory Rudolph Harts (born April 21, 1950) is an American former professional baseball player. He played for the New York Mets in 1973. The Mets were the champions of the National League that year. Even though he didn't play in the field in the Major Leagues, he was mostly an outfielder in the minor leagues.
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Greg Harts' Baseball Journey
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Greg Harts was signed by the Mets in 1970. This means he joined the team as a new player without being drafted. He spent most of 1971 with the Marion Mets in the Rookie League. He also played a few games for the Single-A Pompano Beach Mets. In 1971, he played for the Single-A Visalia Mets.
Harts started 1972 with the AA Memphis Blues. His manager, Johnny Antonelli, thought he had good speed and a strong arm. He also said Harts' hitting was "very satisfactory." Harts was added to the Mets' main 40-man roster after the 1972 season. This meant he was closer to playing in the Major Leagues.
Reaching the Major Leagues
In the spring training of 1973, Harts tried to earn a spot with the Mets. He was competing to be a backup center fielder. He was sent back to the Blues but was called up to the Mets in September.
Greg Harts made his first Major League appearance on September 15, 1973. He played as a pinch hitter for the Mets at Shea Stadium against the Chicago Cubs. A pinch hitter is a player who bats in place of another player, usually the pitcher. Harts got a hit in his very first time at bat in the Major Leagues! This is a special achievement for a baseball player.
He had only one more time at bat in 1973, where he hit the ball on the ground and was out. He never played in the Major Leagues again after that season. The Mets were doing very well in September 1973. They moved into first place in their division. The crowds were very excited. Mets' pitcher Tom Seaver noticed that young players like Harts were amazed by the huge, cheering crowds.
After His Major League Time
In 1974, Harts started the season with the AAA Tidewater Tides. He was later sent to the AA Victoria Toros. This happened because he was not hitting very well with Tidewater. At the end of the season, he was removed from the Mets' 40-man roster. In 1975, he tried to become a pitcher in the minor leagues. However, this did not lead to a Major League pitching career.
Greg Harts was also known by a fun nickname: "The Peanut Man."
