Missing from the Shea good by was someone who was a big part of the World Championship of 1986. Although he didn't play many years for the Mets, Ray Knight was a huge part of the Champion Mets.
Knight was the one who scored the game winning run of game 6 on Mookie Wilson's ground ball through the legs of Bill Buckner.
Knight also hit an important home run in game seven, that broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning.
That off season, Knight, as a free agent, wanted a two year deal from the Mets. The Mets were only willing to go one year, at a salary of $800,000. Knight scoffed, and wound up accepting a $475,000 incentive laden deal from the Orioles. The offer the Mets made, was a $200,000 increase over his 1986 salary.
Knight wasn't there to accept his championship ring the following spring due to playing with the Orioles. The Mets wound up mailing him his ring. Knight has not been to Shea since, other than as a manager.
Knight claims there are no more hard feelings, but his words seem to ring hollow. The Mets invited Knight back in 2006 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mets Championship, and again this year to help close Shea. Both times, Knight declined, citing “previous commitments”. His reason for missing the 2006 commemorative celebration was due to a speaking engagement for Glaxo Smith Kline, a company that makes medicine that Knight has taken since suffering a heart attack in 2003.
Said Knight, "I committed to do seven dates as a spokesman for them and we were in Houston on that particular weekend. I couldn't not fulfil my obligation. It wasn't that I didn't want to come. It was that I had no way to get out of it."
This year, Knight claims he couldn't attend because he announces Washington National games, and had already taken days off. He feels a commitment to his employer, and felt it would be inappropriate to miss work, even though his employers said it would be fine. I guess the commentating on the worst team in baseball for it's final three games is more important than joining former team mates in a celebration.
"It was, believe me, much more important to be at Shea than to be at my desk doing commentary for a last place ball club, but my devotion and loyalty is a part of what I am," Knight said. "I just didn't feel like it was right to not be there for the final three games of the season. I already used my allotted days off."
According to Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz, repeated attempts had been made to try and get Knight to attend. Knight says he still loves and roots for the Mets, but words can be false. Hopefully, before it's too late, Knight will graciously accept an invitation from his former employer to partake in the celebration of the glory days of the 1980's.
For more, log onto Newsday and read Ray Knight, Mets remain apart
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