Desert Sun, Volume 39, Number 173, 23 February 1966 — FOR $47,000 Dick Stuart Goes to Mets [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FOR $47,000 Dick Stuart Goes to Mets

* GENE LUBE—Sports Editor

ST. PETERSBURGH, Fla. (UPI) —Slugging first baseman Dick Stuart, the legendary “Dr. Strangeglove” who has put several big league managers on tranquilizers with his antics, was the complete property of the New York Mets today in what has to go down as one of the great “bargain basement” trades in baseball history. The 33-year-old Stuart, who hit 42 home runs for the Boston Red Sox in 1963 and led the

American League in run batted in with 118 the sam year, came to the Met Tuesday from the Philadelphl. Phillies in exchange for mino league Infielders Bobby Klaus Wayne Graham and catche. Jim Schaffer. The three players, all of whom were on the roster of the Mets’ Jacksonville farm club, were transferred to the Phillies’ San Diego roster. To make room for Stuart on their own roster, the Mets sent infielder Jim Lampe to Jacksonville. Stuart wasted no time in signing his 1966 contract with the Mets Tuesday. The big slugger got an estimated $47,000. The Mets now boast thei - finest Infield in history with Stuart at first, Ron Hunt a‘. second, Roy McMillan at shortstop and Ken Boyer at third. None of the three players the Mets gave up for Stuart hit .230 last season. Klaus hit .191 In 119 games with the Mets. Schaffer hit .135 in 24 games with New York. Graham spen last year with the Mets’ Buffal farm club and hit .243 in 13 games.

DICK STUART