January 12th: This Date In Mets History

Since the Northeast was hit with another relatively heavy snow, we figured we'd look back on this date in Mets history:

On this date in Mets History

1972: Mets signed back-up catcher and pinch hitter Ron Hodges - drafted in second round.

• Hodges was primarily a back-up catcher and pinch hitter who swung from the left side.
• Played his most games in a season, 110, at age 34 in 1983.
• Had his contract bought out by the Mets on October 31, 1984
  

1993: Former Mets SS Kelvin Elster is signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a Free Agent.

• Drafted by the Mets in the second round of 1984 Amateur Draft.
• After shoulder injuries, he was granted Free Agency on December 19, 1992
• Released by LA May 17, 1993
• Signed with Florida Marlins May 22, 1993 and was released on June 4th
• Spent time with teams after Florida: San Diego, NY Yankess, KC Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers (2X), Pirates, and returned to LA Dodgers before retiring in 2000.
  

2004: Former Mets 1B Tony Clark crosses the Triboro and signs as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.

• Clark was a stand-up likable character during his short time in Flushing.
  
• Hit 16 HR's in 280 AB's in his sole season (2003) with the Mets.
  

2006: The San Diego Padres sign Mets utility OF Eric Valent as a Free Agent.

• Valent played 130 games with the Mets in 2004, and put up some decent #'s: Hit 13 HR's in 270 AB's, hit .267, and knocked in 34 Runs
• Was released by the Padres on May 14, 2006. Never played in pros again.
  

2009: Mets sign Washington Nationals relief pitcher Tim Redding as a Free Agent.

• Redding had one miserable season with the Mets (2009) where he went 3-6 with a 5.10 ERA. He split his time (30 games) between starting (17) and games relieved (13). Redding didn't play after the 2009 season with the Mets.
• Spent the 2000 season in the minors with both the Yankees and Rockies.

Sources: Ultimate Mets Database, Baseball Reference, RetroSheet