Wilbur Huckle

Wilbur Allan Huckle

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 175 lb.

• Born December 23, 1937

Infielder Wilbur Huckle played in the New York Mets chain from 1963 to 1971, making it to AAA for parts of the 1966, 1967, and 1968 seasons. He started his pro career at the unusual age of 25.

Also known for short as "Wil" or "Will", the infielder was briefly with the Mets in September 1963 at the request of Casey Stengel. He was with Raleigh of the Class A Carolina League, and when that team's season ended on September 8, he then joined the Mets until he had to report for military duty on September 19. The Sporting News (September 14, 1963) quoted Stengel: "I have a good shortstop (Al Moran), but I heard a lot about this fellow and I want to see him. They tell me he's just great with the glove and could be one of the best in the business. Ordinarily, I could look at him at the school we're going to have early next spring, but he won't be out of the service in time."

On October 19, The Sporting News clarified that Huckle wasn't put on the official roster, so he does not qualify as a true "phantom major leaguer". However, he did wear a Mets uniform and worked out under Stengel's eye during the Mets' nine-game homestand at the Polo Grounds from September 10 through September 18.

Huckle was a minor cult figure in the early days of the Mets. In 1964, he inspired two buttons that put him forth as a mock candidate for the nation's highest office. One, under the banner of the "Metropolitan Party", read "Wilbur Huckle for President". The other "Huckle for President" pin bore the motto "Extremism in Defense of the Mets Is No Vice".

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
1972	Batavia Trojans	New York-Penn League	29-40	6th	New York Mets	none
1973	Batavia Trojans	New York-Penn League	33-36	5th	New York Mets	none
1974	Batavia Trojans	New York-Penn League	20-49	6th	New York Mets	none

Related Sites

• "The Wilbur Huckle Appreciation Society" at the Faith and Fear in Flushing blog