I say Mackey was one of my favorites until 1990 (and not later) because on August 20, 1990, my family left Woodbridge, NJ for Tucson, AZ (it took 7 days). After that date, I missed out on most of the Mets news that wasn't on Sportscenter (basically, until I got the internet at home). I never even knew about Mackey's issues until years later, probably in the late '90s or early 2000s.

Starting in 1991, my family had cable, so even though we were in Arizona, I was still able to watch Mets games on WGN or WTBS, but still, no memories of his "tapping problem" register. I never remember watching him behind the plate and thinking "throw the damn ball!", but I do remember seeing a highlight of it once.

I might have heard about it once in 1991 (or 1992) and then forgot about it, but I doubt it, because IF Mackey struggling to throw back to the pitcher was on Sportscenter (or if I'd seen it during a Mets-Cubs or Mets-Braves game), I would have remembered that.

I think only found out about Mackey's throwing issues when another later player was having trouble throwing, perhaps Chuck Knoblauch.

Because of my distance from the team, when I think back to the 1991 Mets, I remember Charlie O'Brien as the catcher, not Mackey. After '91, I only remember Todd Hundley (and also O'Brien) even though Mackey played in 92 games for the Mets in 1992.

I wonder if Mackey ever had any issues throwing before 1991, because he always seemed steady behind the plate when I was still living in New Jersey and watching him on WOR.