Episode 144 (Re-run) - A Finch Lands On the Mets

This week in baseball history revisits the legendary and fictional tale of Sid Finch, a mysterious pitcher who allegedly debuted with the New York Mets in 1985 after being introduced by George Plimpton in a now-infamous 1985 article. Finch’s backstory—claiming to have been raised in an English orphanage, adopted by an archaeologist, and trained by warrior monks in the Himalayas—was widely dismissed as satire, yet the story captivated the public and fueled a media frenzy. Despite his refusal to speak to reporters, his refusal to travel by plane, and his bizarre behavior, Finch made a stunning impact on the mound, throwing 145 mph fastballs and winning 12 games in the second half of the 1985 season. His career, though brief and shrouded in myth, ended abruptly after he injured Rafael Palmeiro with a fastball, leading to his mysterious disappearance. The episode then shifts to real-life baseball birthdays, spotlighting Tommy Herr, whose 1985 season saw him drive in 110 RBIs with just 8 home runs—a historic feat—and David Dahl, whose promising career may be derailed by the uncertainty of the 2020 season due to the pandemic. The episode closes with a tribute to Jimmy Wynn, a Hall of Fame-caliber player whose legacy was long overlooked, who passed away at 78.