A Mets Manager Dies

Joe Frazier, the manager of the Mets in the turbulent period between the tenures of Yogi Berra and Joe Torre, died Tuesday in Broken Arrow, Okla. He was 88 and a longtime Broken Arrow resident.His death was confirmed by the Christian-Gavlik Funeral Home in Broken Arrow.Frazier, who spent almost a half-century in organized baseball, primarily as a right fielder, was chosen to manage the Mets for the 1976 season after successfully leading the Tidewater Tides, the team’s Class AAA affiliate.

The Mets were in decline after World Series appearances in 1969 and 1973. Berra, their popular manager, had been dismissed during the 1975 season.In Frazier’s only full year as manager, the Mets won 86 games and finished third in the East Division of the National League. With a rotation that included Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Jon Matlack, the team had excellent pitchers but few good hitters.

Frazier’s ship listed in 1977. The Mets’ owners were unwilling to bid for newly minted free agents, prompting Seaver, Matlack and the slugging outfielder-first baseman Dave Kingman to criticize management.Frazier was fired at the end of May after the Mets won only

15 of their first 45 games. A few weeks later, Seaver and Kingman were traded. Matlack was traded after the season. The Mets finished in last place in 1977 and in the next two years. Attendance fell sharply just as the Yankees turned into a powerhouse.

Frazier was succeeded as manager by Torre and never managed in the majors again.Joseph Filmore Frazier was born Oct. 6, 1922, in Liberty, N.C. He played 17 years in the minor and major leagues, including parts of four seasons with the Indians, the Cardinals, the Reds and the Orioles. He batted .241 with 10 home runs as a major leaguer.He is survived by his wife, Jean; two sons, Joe Jr. and Marty; a daughter, Cindy Means; a sister, Marie Jordan; and six grandchildren.