Bill Text: NY J01812 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Mourning the death of Bud Harrelson, legendary shortstop of the 1969 Miracle Mets and co-owner of the Long Island Ducks
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-13 - ADOPTED [J01812 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-J01812-Introduced.html
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.