Welcome to UnforMETable, an Amazin’ Avenue Audio show that looks back on less heralded, more obscure Mets players from the past.
Born in Brooklyn and having grown up on Long Island, the Mets tabbed local prospect John Pacella in the fourth round of the 1974 draft. The local boy would make brief appearances with the team in 1977 and 1979 before making a bit of a mark in 1980.
In addition to a stretch of solid starts in the middle of the season—including outdueling Steve Carlton for his first major league victory—Pacella gained some notoriety for his wild pitching motion, which caused him to lose his baseball cap on virtually every pitch.