Welcome to UnforMETable, an Amazin’ Avenue Audio show that looks back on less heralded, more obscure Mets players from the past.
Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers shortly before their move to Los Angeles, Charley Smith was a prospect with some power who was never able to get an opportunity to establish himself in the majors across three organizations early in his young career.
That opportunity finally came with an even younger franchise just moving into their new home in Queens in 1964. Smith would endure a massive struggle after joining his new team—finally ending his 0-26 start with an infield single to third—before finally settling in an ultimately leading the team in home runs in 1964 with 20.