Senate Resolution No. 1812

BY: Senator MATTERA

MOURNING the death of Bud Harrelson, legendary
shortstop of the 1969 Miracle Mets and co-owner of
the Long Island Ducks

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
just tribute to the memory of those prominent individuals whose esteemed
careers in athletics and contributions to the sport of baseball have
evolved the nature of the game, and who have attained unprecedented
success and the highest level of personal achievement; and

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of Bud Harrelson, noting the
significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Bud Harrelson, the slick-fielding shortstop who helped take
the Mets to their astonishing 1969 World Series Championship and the
1973 National League pennant, and who remained in a Mets uniform as a
coach in the 1980s and their manager in the early '90s, died on
Thursday, January 11, 2024, in East Northport, New York, on Long Island;
he was 79; and

WHEREAS, Born to Glenn and Rena Belle (Horton) Harrelson on June 6,
1944, in Niles, California, Derrel McKinley Harrelson, affectionally
known as Bud, grew up in the San Francisco Bay area; he played football
and baseball in high school, but baseball was his best sport, and it
landed him a contract with the upstart Mets in 1963, after starring at
shortstop with San Francisco State University; after playing in the
minors, he made his Mets debut in early September 1965; and

WHEREAS, Bud Harrelson played in the major leagues for 16 seasons,
13 with the Mets; he appeared in 1,322 games with the team, the fourth
most in franchise history; standing 5 feet 10 inches and weighing
between 145 and 155 pounds, he possessed outstanding range in the field
and a strong arm; he won a National League Gold Glove Award in 1971 for
his fielding, appeared in two All-Star Games, and was inducted into the
Mets' Hall of Fame in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Named the Mets' first-base coach in 1982, Bud Harrelson
later joined their television broadcasting crew; he went on to manage in
the Mets' minor league system in 1984 and part of the 1985 season; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, in 1986, he became the Mets' third-base coach,
during which time the team won the World Series against the Boston Red
Sox, making Bud Harrelson the only person to be in uniform for both of
the franchise's World Series Championships; and

WHEREAS, A longtime Hauppauge resident, Bud Harrelson was a co-owner
and longtime coach for the Long Island Ducks, an Atlantic League
franchise that brought minor-league baseball to Suffolk County; and

WHEREAS, Bud Harrelson is survived by his former wife, Kim
Battaglia; and five children, Kimberly (John), Timothy (Diana),

Alexandra (Tony), Kassandra (Serena), and Troy (Arianna); as well as 10
grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, A gifted athlete, Bud Harrelson was renowned in the sport
of baseball; his character and achievements stand as a sterling example
and inspiration to all who would aspire to succeed; he will be deeply
missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Bud Harrelson, and to express its deepest condolences
to his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Bud Harrelson.