Nov, 24 2025
On November 23, 1964, at 6:29 PM UTC, the New York Mets stunned baseball by purchasing 43-year-old Warren Edward Spahn from the Milwaukee Braves—a move that seemed more like a tribute than a transaction. Spahn, already a legend with 325 career wins, was coming off a 6-13 season in his final year with Milwaukee. The Mets, just four years removed from their expansion debut, weren’t trying to win in ’65. They were trying to build something real. And sometimes, that means buying a future Hall of Famer who can still throw a curveball—and teach a room full of kids how to do it right.
Why the Mets Wanted a 43-Year-Old Pitcher
The New York Mets were a laughingstock in 1964. They’d lost 111 games the year before. Their roster was packed with teenagers and journeymen. But they’d just acquired 39-year-old Yogi Berra, the legendary catcher, and now they added Spahn—the greatest left-hander in baseball history. "I don’t know if we’re the oldest battery," Berra reportedly said, "but we’re certainly the ugliest." That line wasn’t just funny. It was honest. The Mets weren’t trying to look good. They were trying to look like a team.
Spahn wasn’t just a pitcher. He was a walking encyclopedia of pitching wisdom. He’d won 20+ games in 13 straight seasons. He’d thrown 363 complete games. He’d pitched in four World Series. At 43, he still had the mechanics, the poise, the mind. The Mets knew they wouldn’t win with him. But they hoped they’d learn from him.
A Short, Bitter Tenure in Flushing
Spahn made 20 appearances for the Mets in 1965—17 as a starter. He went 4-12 with a 4.45 ERA. Those numbers don’t tell the whole story. He pitched 103 innings. He gave up 110 hits. He struck out 57. He walked 41. He was still throwing strikes. Still competing. Still refusing to quit.
At 44, his body was breaking down. His fastball had faded. But his slider? Still sharp. His control? Still elite. Teammates say he’d spend hours after games showing young pitchers how to grip a changeup, how to read a hitter’s stance, how to stay calm when the bases were loaded. "He didn’t just pitch," said one rookie. "He preached."
His final start came on July 10, 1965. He threw five innings. Gave up three runs. Took the loss. Two days later, on July 12, he was told he’d be released. Or was it July 17? Or July 22? The records disagree. That’s the kind of messy detail only baseball history can produce.
The Giants and the Final Chapter
After his release, Spahn signed with the San Francisco Giants. He made six appearances—five in relief. His final game? September 17, 1965. He threw one inning. Allowed one hit. Struck out one batter. Walked none. He left the game with the Giants up 5-3. They won. He walked off the field for the last time.
Some sources say the Braves traded him to the Mets. Others say the Mets bought him outright. The Giants? They say he signed as a free agent. The truth? In 1965, the rules were looser. Teams did what they could. Spahn wasn’t a commodity. He was a bridge—from the old guard to the new.
A Legacy Beyond the Stats
Warren Spahn was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973—his first year of eligibility. He received 92% of the vote. He was the first left-hander since Lefty Grove to win 300 games. He won 20 games in a season when he was 40. He once pitched a complete game at age 42, throwing 14 innings. He was the last pitcher to win 20 games in a season after turning 40.
The Mets didn’t win with him. They didn’t even come close. But they became something better: a team that respected its past. That’s why, in 1969, when they finally won the World Series, it felt like Spahn’s quiet lessons had finally taken root.
What Happened to the Braves?
The Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta after the 1965 season. Spahn’s departure was one of the last major moments in Milwaukee baseball history. The Braves had been a powerhouse in the 1950s—led by Spahn and Eddie Mathews. But by ’64, the franchise was fading. Selling Spahn wasn’t a business decision. It was surrender.
The Mets, meanwhile, kept building. They added Tom Seaver. They got Jerry Koosman. They found Cleon Jones. And they kept Spahn’s name in the clubhouse. Not as a statue. Not as a poster. But as a story.
Why This Still Matters
Major League Baseball lists Spahn among the few Hall of Famers traded by their teams—alongside Rabbit Maranville and Eddie Mathews. It’s a rare club. These weren’t busts. They were legends. And their teams let them go anyway.
Today, when a star player is traded near the end of his career, we call it a rebuild. Back then, it was called hope. The Mets didn’t buy Spahn to win. They bought him to remember what winning looked like. And sometimes, that’s the most important thing a team can do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Mets buy Warren Spahn if he was past his prime?
The Mets weren’t trying to win in 1964—they were trying to build a culture. Spahn, despite his declining stats, was a living legend with decades of experience. His presence in the clubhouse, his work ethic, and his mentorship of young pitchers like Tom Seaver helped lay the foundation for their 1969 World Series title. He was a teacher, not just a player.
What was Spahn’s record with the Mets?
Spahn went 4-12 in 20 appearances (17 starts) for the Mets in 1965, pitching 103 innings with a 4.45 ERA. Though the numbers were poor, his ability to pitch deep into games and command the strike zone remained elite. He was still one of the most efficient pitchers in baseball—just no longer dominant.
Why is there confusion over the exact date of Spahn’s release?
Record-keeping in 1965 wasn’t as precise as today. Baseball Almanac and Amazin’ Avenue cite July 17, while the Ultimate Mets Database says July 22. The discrepancy likely stems from administrative delays—Spahn may have been informed on the 17th but officially released on the 22nd. In an era before digital databases, these small errors were common.
Was Spahn traded or purchased by the Mets?
According to Baseball Almanac and contemporaneous reports, the Mets purchased Spahn outright from the Braves for an undisclosed sum—not a trade. This was unusual for a player of his stature, suggesting the Braves were eager to offload his salary. The term "trade" is sometimes misused in later accounts, but the official record shows a purchase.
Did Spahn ever pitch in the World Series with the Mets?
No. Spahn was released in July 1965, four years before the Mets won their first World Series in 1969. But many believe his influence helped shape the team’s identity. Pitchers like Tom Seaver have said they studied Spahn’s mechanics and mental approach. His legacy lived on—even if his uniform didn’t.
Why is Spahn considered one of the greatest pitchers ever despite his weak Mets stats?
Spahn’s Mets tenure was a footnote. His legacy rests on 363 wins, 20+ win seasons through age 40, 325 complete games, and 13 straight 20-win campaigns. He’s the only pitcher in history to win 20 games after turning 40. His Hall of Fame case isn’t about 1965—it’s about 1947 to 1964. The Mets just got the last chapter.