New York Mets: Mel Stottlemyre passes away as New York legend

While he’s also known for being with the Yankees, Mel Stottlemyre also had an impact on the New York Mets. His time with both teams made him a New York baseball legend.

On Sunday, former New York Mets pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre passed away from complications of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. He was 77.

I have already written about Stottlemyre’s time with the Yankees. Now, we will look at his time with the Mets.

After his playing career, Stottlemyre became a scout for the Seattle Mariners.

In 1984, Mel was hired by the Mets to be their pitching coach.

He spent ten seasons with the Mets and mentored players like Dwight “Doc” Gooden, Ron Darling, and Sid Fernandez.

He won his first of five total World Series titles with the Mets in 1986.

The Mets issued a statement on Mel’s passing, via Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:

"“We owe Mel so much gratitude for what he contributed to this organization. The success we enjoyed in the ’80s, including the world championship in 1986, was a direct result of his working closely with our young pitching staff. He was a true gentleman. Our condolences go out to his wife, Jean and two sons, Todd and Mel, Jr.”"

The Mets also released the following tweets:

Gooden, who worked with Stottlemyre as a rookie, said in a statement release by the Mets, per Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News, that all of his accomplishments in baseball were because of Stottlemyre:

"“Mel was more than a pitching coach to me. He was a dear friend. Everything I accomplished in the game was because of him. He taught me so much more than balls and strikes. I’ll miss him dearly.”"

Darling, who also worked with Mel as a rookie, told Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com that Stottlemyre was….

"“one of the classiest men I have ever known on or off the field. A wonderful pitching coach and father figure to the young pitchers on our Mets teams in the 1980’s.(His) devotion to his wife Jean, his sons and his pitchers will never be forgotten by New York or those he mentored. Today is the saddest day.”"

Stottlemyre was a good person, friend, player, and coach.

He had a huge impact on New York baseball, not just with the Yankees, but with the Mets as well.

He is a New York baseball legend and should go in the Hall of Fame. He was a champion and helped make New York baseball great.

Mel Stottlemyre, rest in glory. The Mets and the baseball world will miss you.