Pat Zachry, one of the players acquired by the Mets in the infamous Tom Seaver trade, died Thursday at the age of 71 in Waco, Texas. According to Mets public relations guru Jay Horwitz,.
Horwitz wrote that Zachry died “after a long illness.”
Former teammate Johnny Bench Also reported the death of Mr. Zachry..
“One of the greats and an incredible teammate passed away yesterday! #PatZachry was an ROY in 1976, made two postseason starts, and was important in the Tom Seaver trade. He was one of the best players,” Bench wrote in Friday morning’s X. “Tears were shed for my friend!”
Zachry will forever be part of Mets lore for his role in perhaps the worst trade in Mets history, painfully known as the “Midnight Massacre.”
The Mets traded three-time Cy Young Award winner Seaver to the Reds for a four-player package of Zachary, Doug Flynn, Steve Henderson, and Dan Norman.
Seaver had a 75-46 record with a 3.18 ERA for the Reds from 1977 to 1982.
Zachry, who was named National League Rookie of the Year in 1976, appeared in one All-Star season with the Mets in 1978, starting 21 games and posting a record of 10 wins, 6 losses, and a 3.33 ERA.
That season ended prematurely in Messiaen fashion when he was injured after allowing a hit to Pete Rose on July 24, extending Rose’s hitting streak.
After being pulled, Zachry attempted to kick his batting helmet, but missed and broke his leg instead.
The right-hander appeared in 135 games (113 starts) for the Mets from 1977 to 1982, posting a 41-46 record with a 3.63 ERA.
“It was unfortunate that it didn’t work out because of injuries and other things,” Zachry told the Post in 2020.
Zachry accidentally kicked the dugout steps in frustration, resulting in a bruise that caused him to miss part of the 1978 season.
“One of the things I regret is kicking my helmet and breaking my leg,” Zachry said. “It was my own fault. It caused some other things that shouldn’t have hurt my performance.
“…it was always entertaining and never boring. It’s a shame we couldn’t give the public more than they paid for, but not for lack of trying.”
Zachry compiled a 69-67 record with a 3.52 ERA over a 10-year career that included two seasons with the Dodgers and 10 games with the Phillies in 1985.
He won a championship with the Reds in 1976.
“None of us thought we could replace Tom,” Flynn told Horwitz. You won’t find a better teammate than Zach. We will all miss him very much. ”
Flynn added: “Pat was Rookie of the Year, an All-Star and a World Series player. He had a great career.”
