Fan fave despite losing 27 straight
MIAMI — Anthony Young, a part of the Mets’ colorful history of struggles, died Tuesday in Houston after a long illness, the team announced. The pitcher, who lost a majorleague record 27 straight games, was 51 years old.
“Anthony was a true gentleman,” said Turk Wendell, a former Mets pitcher, who participated in Mets fantasy camp with Young during the last several years. “At this year’s fantasy camp, he told us he had a brain tumor. That was Anthony. He never ran away from anything.”
Young made his major-league debut with the Mets in August 1991. Between May 1992 and July 1993, the right-hander lost 27 consecutive decisions but managed to become a fan favorite during the streak because of his sense of humor.
The pitcher even appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in the middle of the drought, facing the host who had repeatedly made him the butt of his monologue jokes. Leno told Young: “You can make fun of my chin if you want to.”
“A.Y. took a lot of kidding about his losing records,” said Doug Flynn, a fellow Mets player and fantasy coach. “But he was the victim of some bad luck during the streak. He knew inside that he was a better pitcher than his numbers.”
The late Met went 0-14 as a starter and 0-13 as a reliever during the streak, but he did pick up 15 saves in 1992.
“I got a bad rap on that,” Young told the Daily News in 2009. “I always said I didn’t feel like I was pitching badly. It just happened to happen to me. I don’t feel like I deserve it, but I’m known for it.”
Young also pitched with the Cubs from 1994-1995 and with the Astros in 1996. Over six seasons in the major leagues, he posted a 15-48 record and a career 3.89 ERA. He recorded 20 career saves.
CoNFoRTo NEEDS TIME
A second set of X-Rays on Tuesday confirmed that Michael Conforto does not have a broken bone in his hand. An attempt to swing a bat, however, also confirmed that the Mets outfielder will likely miss a few more days.
“The good news is there isn’t a break,” Conforto said. “It’s just a bruise and it should be OK.”
WHEELS UP?
Zack Wheeler was scheduled to throw one more side session before the Mets make the final decision on when to bring him back off the disabled list.
“Going to have another bullpen session. We haven’t got him penciled in anyplace, but we’re certainly hoping he’s back here in the next few days,” Terry Collins said.
Wheeler was placed on the disabled list last week with what the team said was biceps tendinitis.