Not the answer for the Mets

Jim Fregosi with the Angels

In what seems like a good idea at the time, the New York Mets believe they solve their perennial problem at third base 52 years ago today by trading four players to the California Angels for Jim Fregosi.

Fregosi, an All-Star shortstop during his 11 seasons with the Angels but nary with an inning at third base in that time, lasts less than two seasons as New York’s third baseman before the Mets sell him to the Texas Rangers.

Two of the players the Mets give up for him – pitcher Don Rose and catcher Frank Estrada – have brief, forgettable stays in the majors.

A third player, outfielder Leroy Stanton, has five mostly serviceable seasons for the Angels.

The fourth player?

Oh, that would be a then-erratic, hard-throwing pitcher named Nolan Ryan, who wins 295 games after leaving the Mets en route to 324 victories in his career – not to mention compiling a record 5,714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters – and, of course, a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Nolan Ryan with the Mets