A Quick Remembrance

In case you haven’t heard the news by now, Darryl Hamilton … former Met and MLB Network contributor … was murdered yesterday. It was heartbreaking to watch MLB Network today where a tragedy unfolded in real time. Matt Vasgersian announced Hamilton’s passing at about five to one, and then commercials until the top of the hour, which is unusual. Then instead of High Heat at the top of the hour, a tear filled Matt Yallof announced his death. Then more commercials, then Chris Russo with a quick remembrance, and then the regular show finally started at about 1:10. I can’t even imagine what all those guys are feeling right now. It was heartbreaking to actually see grief unfold and my heart is with all those guys.

My memory of Hamilton is a little odd. Hamilton was an important bit player for the playoff/World Series teams in 1999 and 2000. In 2000, there was a little mini-controversy involving Hamilton riding in Roger Clemens’ plane to Houston after a regular season series against the Yankees. In fact, it was the game after Clemens beaned Piazza. Back before blogs and twitter, the arguments happened on message boards. Of course, there were opinions flying back and forth on the particular message board I was on (don’t ask me which one, I’ll never remember). And then one person basically said “As long as Hamilton has the Mets’ backs on the field, he could ride to Houston with Clemens on a two person bicycle for all I care.” And then somebody photoshopped a picture of Clemens and Hamilton riding a bike, and pretty much universally, both sides of the internet came together in laughter and the argument was over. For some reason that stuck with me through all those years.

That’s a silly memory, and probably doesn’t add anything important to anything. But I guess you grasp at silly memories that make you smile in situations like this.

Here’s an interview our friends at WLIE 540 did back in 2012 …