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…i took a walk to the minor-league complex this morning, and noticed Joe Hietpas, who had been with the team as a catcher, converted to a pitcher, and was a minor-league free agent this past off-season…he is back in camp and is wearing No. 99…
…i want to see him do well, because i love the story of a no-hit catcher eventually making the big leagues as a knuckle baller…
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ya gotta root for this guy. he’s been around with the mets for a while now. i talked to him a little at a spring training game a couple of years ago, and he’s the nicest guy. it really is a great story. keep us posted on his progress, matt. i
I agree..the first time i went to spring training a few years ago, i found out this guy is a local fan favorite…everybody wishes him the best and hopes he isn’t a minor-league “lifer”
he graciously signed my baseball and i hope one day it’s worth something
good luck joe..hope we see you in “the show”
OFF TOPIC Can anyone please explain to me why I cannot post comments from my other handle (Phillies Say the Darndest Things)? Not one of my posts has been showing up since the thread about Matt showing up too early. I sent an email to the guys at Metsblog and no one has responded….any help?
Matt,
Start writing the screenplay NOW!!!!
Knuckleballer? Do we have the next Tim Wakefield on our hands?
nah, Zac Clements was the catcher turned knuckleballerm Heitpas throws a normal assortment. It was reported he coverted because he could throw low 90’s without really trying to pitch.
They’re both knuckleballers. I’m not sure if a link will work, but David Lennon’s Newsday Blog has a thing about Hietpas throwing a knuckler after he couldn’t develop a breaking pitch to offset his fastball. It would be interesting to see if Hietpas tries throwing a combination of his fastball (like you said, in the low 90’s) and knuckleball or just concentrates on the knuckler.
btw..looking at his current MLB stats, it looks like he’s on the same route as “Moonlight” Graham
Debut October 3, 2004
vs. MON
Final Game October 3, 2004
Games: 1
AB: 0
He caught 1 inning with 2 putouts.
Courtesy of baseball-reference.com
I thought he played right field for an inning?
Wait… we aren’t retiring Turk Wendell’s number?
:-)
This is a travesty of the highest nature. Turk put 99% effort into every pitch he ever threw for the Mets, that’s how dedicated he was to his #. I’m ashamed to be a Mets fan today.
Better than the story of a no-pitch pitcher taking HGH and becoming an outfielder.
HA HA…nice, I like that.
OUCH, I think I broke my Ankiel on that one.