Welcome to UnforMETable, an Amazin’ Avenue Audio show that looks back on less heralded, more obscure Mets players from the past.
Born in Brooklyn, John Candelaria was a key member of the successful Pittsburgh Pirates teams of the late 1970s, culminating in the team’s 1979 World Series victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Candelaria eventually got traded to the Angels—coming within one game of facing his hometown team in the 1986 World Series. As the 1987 Mets were beset by injuries in their efforts to repeat as World Champions—including a key September injury to Ron Darling—the team brought in the veteran lefty in a last ditch effort to catch the Cardinals.