Former Mets groundskeeper Pete Flynn has passed away this morning at the age of 79, the team announced Wednesday.
"Pete helped make our fields one of the best in baseball," said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon in a statement. "He took such pride in his work and was a pro's pro. Tom Seaver always said Shea Stadium's mound had no equal. That's a pretty good endorsement."
Flynn, who started working with the Mets at the Polo Grounds in 1962, became the team's head groundskeeper in 1974 and held the position until 2001. He remained with the organization until his retirement in 2011.