New York Mets: The oddest on-field moments in franchise history

1999: A mustachioed Bobby Valentine reappears in the dugout

Several Mets won Gold Glove awards in 1999, but on June 9, manager Bobby Valentine deserved a special award for on-field hair and makeup design. That night, the Mets were locked in a battle with the Toronto Blue Jays. The game was tied 3-3 in the top of the 12th inning, when the umpires ruled catcher’s interference on Mike Piazza’s attempt to throw out Shannon Stewart stealing second.

Valentine quickly came out of the dugout to protest the call and was ejected from the game just as quickly. Mets reliever Pat Mahomes worked his way out of the inning unscathed, and play continued.

As the bottom of the 13th inning began, the TV camera peered into the Mets dugout. There stood Valentine, still ejected from the game but clearly visible in the dugout wearing a different outfit, sunglasses, and a fake mustache. The announcers dissolved into giggles while narrating the moment. Howie Rose provided the final nail in the coffin when he proclaimed, “Sorry skip, we got ya.” Valentine was ultimately fined $5000 and suspended two games for his antics.

The Mets ended up winning 4-3 in 14 innings, and Valentine permanently etched his place in the hearts of Mets fans everywhere with his hilarious reappearance act. This incident has become one of the seminal “absurd Mets moments,” and its anniversary thoroughly deserves to be celebrated every year.