By Chet Gumpert
Fans who grew up with David Wright holding down third base for a decade had a different experience than Mets fans who came before them. It was a running joke how the Mets simply couldn’t find someone to play third. And it wasn’t for a lack of trying. We wish they didn’t try so hard, as it cost them some valuable prospects when they went chasing for former glory to fill the black hole of the hot corner.
As an expansion club, the Mets had no choice but to use players from other teams at the beginning of their existence. Felix Mantilla was selected in the expansion draft from the Milwaukee Braves and did a serviceable job in 1962. After the season he was shipped to the Red Sox for three players who did very little for the Mets, while Mantilla gave Boston three strong seasons.
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