The literal “port laureate” of baseball passed away yesterday at the age of 84.
Nicknamed “The Glider,” Ed Charles got a relatively late start, making his debut with the Kansas City Athletics in 1962 at the age of 29. He was traded to the Mets in 1967. As a fan of the team, I rooted for him during their first world championship, which was Charles’ last campaign. Although he appeared in just 61 games that year, his contributions were more as an “elder statesman” than as a player. The memory of that famous photo of him rejoicing after the final game of the World Series lingers to this day.
Charles was a real Renaissance man, sharing his poetry like Stan Musial used to share his harmonica playing. Here’s his obituary from The New York Times, written by George Vecsey (who published, Joy In Mudville: Being a Complete Account of the Unparalleled History of the New York Mets From Their Most Perturbed Beginnings to Their Amazing Rise to Glory and Renown, one of several books written that came out immediately following that season and which certainly held the record for longest title at the time).
More on Charles’ passing from the New York Post, Newsday, and New York Daily News (by Bill Madden).
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