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Ed Charles

Ed Charles
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 141 of 1218 players
Charles
Edwin Douglas Charles
Born: April 29, 1933 at Daytona Beach, Fla.
Died: March 15, 2018 at East Elmhurst, N.Y. Obituary
Throws: Right Bats: Right
Height: 5.10 Weight: 170

Ed Charles was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on October 14, 2013, March 16, 2018, January 19, 2019, October 29, 2019, March 24, 2020, and October 6, 2021.

3b 1b

First Mets game: May 12, 1967
Last Mets game: October 16, 1969

Share your memories of Ed Charles

HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY:

Richard Kissel
"The Glider". The poet laureate of baseball. Spent 9 years in the minors. He savored the 1969 season and was the team's on the field "godfather". His home run in the clinching game was great. I can still see him circling the bases, clapping his hands together. He retired after the 1969 season and went to work for Buddha Records, who had put out a record celebrating the Mets World Series win. I ran into him on the Grand Concourse, near Fordham Road in the Bronx, and he was nice as can be. Two years ago I saw him again and he was just as nice.

Dr. Barry
May 16, 2002
My memories of Ed Charles surround my admiration for his grace and dignity as a player. I remember in 1968 the way the Mets used him against lefthanders, and he wore them out. The impression he left on me resulted in me trying as a boy to emulate his unique gliding running style that resulted in his nickname "The Glider." To this day you will see me at Shea wearing my Mets Jersey with the name Charles on the back. Thanks for the great memories, Glider!

Steve Green
November 13, 2002
The magic of teamwork.....

Weren't Ed Charles and Wayne Garrett from the same general area of Daytona Beach FL? The idea of a platoon at third base between the two in magical 1969 must've GUARANTEED that they should've been beer buddies long into the future.

True, Charles and Garrett were several generations' disparate in age, but as a Mets fan I have to think these guys had to've been thrust into a local spotlight after 1969; a very deserved share of wonderment and reminisce in that post season.

Does anyone have any onfo about the Daytona Beach reaction immediately following that season?

Bob R.
January 6, 2003
Loved the Glider. How many people remember that he led the Mets in home runs in '68....with just 15! And three of them were pinch hits, too. Ed was coming to the end of his career when he joined the Mets, but he became the heart and soul of that team. He had a huge hit in the ninth inning of the second game of the '69 World Series that helped the Mets tie the Series. My memory isn't that he decided to retire after '69 but rather was released by the Mets. Oh well, whatever. Lots of people will fondly remember this journeyman player for his contributions to a miracle team.

Steven Gallanter
March 27, 2003
I remember waiting outside of the players' exit with my brother and parents in 1969. My folks thought asking for autographs was tacky but I did want to see the players.

Ed Charles was carrying a handicapped kid with a great deal of tenderness yet took the time to say hello to everyone. I also recall seeing Eddie Yost and Joe Pignatano in street clothes.

His 1968 Strat-O-Matic card was pretty good as I recall.

Feat Fan
June 19, 2004
One of my favorite ballplayers going back to the KC A's. I remember that he was super fast, good glove and had some pop. Related to former boxer Ezra Charles.

Paid his dues after a long minor league career, he might have played a bit in the Negro Leagues.

Always had a decent Strat card 3b-3 Steal B run 1-15

How do I remember these things?

Why?

Jonathan Stern
December 1, 2005
The Mets treated the Glider poorly after 1969 as documented by Maury Allen's book. Maybe his numbers did not warrant special treatment, but his intangibles probably did, not to mention his fine 1968 performance. Then again, the Mets have treated most of their players poorly over the years. Charles looked glum as he sang "You Gotta Have Heart" with the guys on Ed Sullivan's show after the series (he probably knew at that point that his career was over), but has seemed pleasant enough wherever else I have seen him.

Bob R
December 1, 2005
I'll always remember that huge hit he had in the '69 World Series. Baltimore won the first game, and it was tied 1-1 in the top of the ninth of the second game. Charles got a clutch single to keep the inning going, and then Al Weis delivered the go-ahead run with another single. Then in the bottom of the inning, Charles assisted on the final putout, and the Mets were on their way to 4 straight wins! The Mets released him after the season and his career was over, but everybody was so happy he could end his long baseball career with a World Series championship. A nice man, from what I've heard.

senorortiz
December 6, 2006
Something that I find very interesting about this board is there are a few players, Charles being one of them, who stat wise were not outstanding players but were to everybody's recollections Hall of Fame human beings. Nobody mentioned that he is a bum because he hit .207 in 1969. This is what makes Mets fans special. I met him briefly as a kid twice at various autograph sessions. You can tell immeditely he loved people and his duration with the Mets.

nymetmj
July 2, 2007
Just met Mr. Charles yesterday. What a thrill. I had a 1968 Met yearbook and he signed both pictures in the book. He was wearing a tee shirt with the words "Glider" on it and just found out on this site what it meant.

He still goes to Shea to watch the games, and on occasion participates in the Fantasy Camp.

He is now the caretaker of his 93 year old Aunt who looked after him when he first came to New York. He gave me a commemorative sheet about Jackie Robinson where he wrote a wonderful poem.

He is a gracious, kind person and wish him Good Health and Happiness forever.

Thanks Ed for the priviledge of meeting you.

Bill Goglas
March 30, 2008
To Coach Ed,

Your Friend Billy from Texas sends you all the best. Everytime I think of you my heart is always warmed for having the pleasure to spending the week with you as my coach and friend at the 2006 Mets Fantasy Camp and in New York at the Golf outing for my customers.

You are a Very Special Person and one that I will always look to when I need to be lifted.

All my Love and respect,

Billy

Joe Figliola
December 19, 2008
Man, was he stylin' or what at Shea's last game?! Loved the cane that he was strutting with, too!

Stu Baron
April 27, 2013
I recently saw "42" and the film has a neat Mets connection. In one scene, Jackie tosses a ball to an admiring young boy as the Montreal Royals train is leaving the station. At the end of the film, the boy is identified as none other than Ed Charles!

Kevin McLaughlin
March 17, 2018
RIP Glider. Thanks for the memories








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