Bud Harrelson was a prominent figure in Major League Baseball, primarily known for his tenure with the New York Mets. His career spanned from 1965 to 1980, during which he played shortstop for the Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers. Following his playing career, Harrelson transitioned into coaching and managing roles. He was part of the coaching staff for the 1986 World Series champion Mets team and later managed the Mets in 1990 and 1991. Harrelson's connection to baseball extended beyond the major leagues, as he also held coaching and part-owner positions with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
June 6, 1944: Birth of Bud Harrelson
Bud Harrelson was born in Niles, California on June 6, 1944.
1962: High School Graduation
Bud Harrelson graduated from Sunset High School in 1962.
1963: Signs with Mets
Bud Harrelson signed with the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 1963.
September 1, 1965: Promotion to Major Leagues
Bud Harrelson was promoted to the major leagues by the Mets on September 1, 1965.
December 17, 1965: First Marriage
Bud Harrelson married Yvonne on December 17, 1965.
1965: Major League Debut
Bud Harrelson made his Major League debut with the New York Mets in 1965.
May 28, 1969: Key RBI Single
On May 28, 1969, Bud Harrelson hit an RBI single that sparked an 11-game winning streak for the Mets.
1969: First World Series Win
Bud Harrelson won his first World Series as a player with the Mets in 1969.
1969: Key Hits in NLCS
Harrelson had key hits, including a go-ahead triple and an RBI double, during the 1969 NLCS.
1969: Part of the 1969 Mets
Harrelson was a member of the 1969 New York Mets team.
1969: 1969 Championship Season
Bud Harrelson was part of the Mets' 1969 championship season.
1970: All-Star Selection
Bud Harrelson was selected as a National League All-Star in 1970.
1971: Gold Glove Award
Bud Harrelson won a Gold Glove Award in 1971.
1973: World Series Appearance
Bud Harrelson appeared in the World Series with the Mets in 1973.
1973: 1973 Pennant-Winning Season
Bud Harrelson played in the Mets' 1973 pennant-winning season.
1973: Controversy in NLCS
Bud Harrelson's comments about the Reds' hitting sparked a controversy during the 1973 NLCS.
1975: Second Marriage
Bud Harrelson married Kim Battaglia in 1975.
March 23, 1978: Traded to the Phillies
Bud Harrelson was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on March 23, 1978.
1980: Signs with the Rangers
After being released by the Phillies, Harrelson signed with the Texas Rangers in 1980.
1980: Released by the Phillies
Bud Harrelson was released by the Philadelphia Phillies before the start of the 1980 season.
1982: Joins Mets Coaching Staff
Bud Harrelson joined the Mets' coaching staff in 1982.
1983: Broadcasting Role
Bud Harrelson served as a broadcaster for Mets games on WWOR-TV in 1983.
1984: Manages Little Falls Mets
Bud Harrelson managed the Little Falls Mets in 1984 and was named NY-Penn League Manager of the Year.
1985: Manages Columbia Mets and Returns to Mets Coaching Staff
Harrelson managed the Columbia Mets and later returned to the Mets' major league coaching staff in 1985.
1986: World Series Win as Coach
Bud Harrelson was a coach for the New York Mets when they won the World Series in 1986.
1986: Mets Hall of Fame Induction
Bud Harrelson was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1986.
1986: Mets Hall of Fame Induction
Bud Harrelson was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1986.
1986: Coaching during World Series Championship
Harrelson was a coach for the Mets during their 1986 World Series win.
1988: Playoff Appearance as Coach
Harrelson appeared in the playoffs as a coach for the Mets in 1988.
1990: Manages the Mets
Bud Harrelson managed the New York Mets in 1990.
1990: Manages the Mets and Hosts Radio Show
Harrelson managed the Mets and hosted "The Bud Harrelson Report" on WFAN radio in 1990.
1991: Fired as Mets Manager
Harrelson was fired as manager of the Mets in 1991.
1991: Managing the Mets and Subsequent Firing
Bud Harrelson continued to manage the Mets in 1991 but was fired before the end of the season.
1991: Ends Radio Show
Harrelson ended his WFAN radio show early in the 1991 season.
1992: Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame Induction
Harrelson was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.
1999: Appearance on "Everybody Loves Raymond"
Harrelson appeared as himself in a 1999 episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond".
2000: Part-Owner and Manager of Long Island Ducks
Harrelson became part-owner and manager of the Long Island Ducks in 2000.
2016: Alzheimer's Diagnosis
Bud Harrelson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016.
2018: Public Disclosure of Alzheimer's Diagnosis
Bud Harrelson publicly disclosed his Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2018.
2018: Number Retired by Ducks
The Long Island Ducks retired Harrelson's number 3 in 2018.
January 11, 2024: Death of Bud Harrelson
Bud Harrelson passed away on January 11, 2024.