Frank Cashen, an executive with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets, died Monday at the age of 91.
Cashen was instrumental in bringing Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson to the Orioles in 1966, and he also was responsible for hiring manager Earl Weaver in Baltimore. However, Cashen is best remembered for the Mets teams he built in the 1980s.
Cashen was brought to New York by Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Nelson Doubleday in 1980, one year after the team finished an abysmal 63-99. The Mets endured losing seasons from 1980 through 1983, but through the draft and trade market, Cashen helped turn the team into a contender.
By 1984, the ship had turned for the Mets, thanks to Cashen’s moves. He traded for MVP first baseman Keith Hernandez and drafted back-to-back Rookie of the Year award winners in Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden. The pieces finally came together in 1986, and the Mets won their second World Series title over the Boston Red Sox in a memorable seven-game series.
On Monday, Wilpon expressed his gratitude for his former GM.
“No one had a more diverse career than Frank,” Wilpon said in a statement. “He was also a lawyer, a sports writer and marketing executive. His accomplishments will always be an integral part of our team history.”
Photo via Twitter/@MetsPics
