Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of Todd Zeile

Jon
I like lots of Met fans sat around for months scratching my head at the trade for Todd Zeile, who not only lacked the sex appeal Met fans like in their free agents but was also a questionable choice to play first base for a contending team. But I have to say I was very impressed with his performance and demeanor in the playoffs and how he carried himself with dignity and class through what was probably the unluckiest season any un-injured ballplayer ever had. The obstruction/interference fiascos with Knoblauch... a ball off the top of the fence with a man on that turned into the 3rd out... so many sketchy called third strikes, the list goes on. Met fans smelled blood waiting for Todd Zeile to screw up this year but all I can say now is I'm proud of him.

Won Doney
January 8, 2001
I like Todd Zeile. He's good at 1st base, even though he's a 3rd baseman by trade. When they first got him, I thought that the 2000 season would be a disaster without John Olerud. I was wrong. I hope he stays with the Mets for many years to come.

Mr. Sparkle
February 28, 2001
Just read in the Post a comment by Todd in regards to Gary Sheffield. He said "I hear a player say, ‘how can I be paid $5 million less than Player B?' My response to that is, ‘how can you make $11 million more than Willie Mays?' " Great point! It's good to see someone with a little character in the game. I'd vote for him for President!

Coach HoJo 20
April 4, 2001
Great player and a great person. He is honest and lets his opinion be known. Interviews involving him are always interesting. In my opinion he was robbed big time in the WS. Its debatable if that was a home run or not but the umpires were very lackadaisical and cost the Mets a run or 2 with their shoddy and slow officiating.

Mr. Sparkle
May 17, 2001
Todd seems like a real good dude but let's face it he's a big time step down from Olerud. You never get the feeling there's an RBI waiting to happen when Zelie comes up the way you did when helmet head was at the plate. Zile will ground out with runners in scoring position and then hit a dinger in his next at bat with the bases empty. We need a stud 1st baseman. If the Mets are out of this in July I can see him getting salary dumped in a hurry.

Kooz
May 23, 2001
He's got one more homer than Ordonez at this point in time (May 23). 'Nuf said.

murphy
May 25, 2001
Congratulations to Todd Zeile. He got his first RBI in the last 15 games last night. It made the score 10- 2 Mets. What a way to break through, Todd.

Todd Zeile currently has 1 home run and a .333 slugging percentage. Mike Hampton has 2 home runs and a .464 slugging percentage. And we are almost in June. Come on Todd, you're better than this.

murphy
June 26, 2001
A hearty congratulations to Todd Zeile. He finally caught up to Mike Hampton in home runs on June 25. Of course, the home run against the Cubs shouldn't have been a home run. It hit the top of the chain link basket in leftcenter field. It should have been a double. But we'll take anything we can get. Right, Todd?

Jody Nielsen
July 7, 2001
I love Todd Zeile. I think that signing Todd for three years wasn't long enough for me. I sure hope that he has many more years to give the Mets. I feel terrible when I hear all the coments people make about Todd on first base. I think that he made the move from third to first like the pro that he is. You can tell what kind of player he is and the class that he has when there is a brawl on the field. To me he's number one!! I had the pleasure of meeting Todd for the first time in September of 2000. It was his birthday that day. I sang happy birthday to him and he promised to sign his baseball card for me, which he did. I also had the pleasure of seeing Todd again this past May (2001). He was nice enough to have his picture taken with me,and I'll keep it forever. Like I said I love Todd Zeile.

fax
August 9, 2001
Probably one of the least clutch players the Mets have had in my 25 years as a fan. Nice guy, but what a waste of money.

Chris
September 3, 2001
Zeile has gotta go. Too much money for too little production. It wouldn't be stupid to give the 1B job to Mark Johnson next year. He'll produce better and cost a lot less.

kinerskorner
September 4, 2001
i agree that zeile should probably go, and is having an off year (although he's injured). completely disagree, however, that johnson should be starting. if he plays every day expect him to hit about .240 or so. the guys not an everyday player, and never has been. why do you think he's bounced around as much as he has and hasnt really established himself in the majors?

Shannon
October 20, 2001
As a former Hart High Grad and a person that meet Todd in 1987.I adore him.Todd has stayed the same nice guy I meet 14 and a half years ago.I'm proud and glad to have known Todd all these years.Todd has done a lot for me.But the thing he has done most is just been nice when I neeeded someone like him in my life.I have so many memories of Todd that I can't mention them all.One I will mention is how when I first moved from Cali to St.Louis. Todd was extra nice to me at Busch Stadium.I moved to the midwest in December of 1992.Didn't know anybody but some family members.Started going to games at Busch Stadium in 1993.Todd made me feel welcome at Busch Stadium.He even introduced me to some of his Cardinal teamates.I will never forget that.Last year Todd got me tickets for the Playoff games in St.Louis and gave me an autographed baseball.This year he gave me another autographed game used bat.He gave me one in the past but an Ex boyfriend stole it.But I never told Todd that it got stolen.Those are a few memories of Todd.But there are plenty more than I just mentioned.Whenever I get to see Todd it's like seeing an old friend.I doubt Todd ever reads this.But if he happens to I just want to say thanks and let him know how special he is to me.

Mr. Sparkle
January 21, 2002
Masterful manuever by Steve Phillips to unload Zeile. Todd Zeile is one of the true class acts of baseball but the Mets simply had no place for him after getting Alomar and Vaughn. He had zero trade value and Phillips was able to unload him. He was very good in 2000 and actually had a very good World Series. Lousy year in 2001 with an inury it's amazing anyone wanted him. I hope he does very well in Colorado.

I remember when he was on Howard Stern he talked about brining his 8 year old to an N'Synch concert. Personally I couldn't handle taking my kid to torture myself for that kind of a show so I thought Todd was pretty cool for doing it.

He always seemed to have a very level head about salary and player conduct matters. I like the guy but I'm glad we were able to unload him. I hope he does well in Colorado except for when Hampton starts.

Phil
February 1, 2002
He has got to go down as one of the worst Met players of all time and definitely the worst 1st baseman in his years playing the position in the Majors. 10 Jacks last year, is that a joke? He is the biggest punch and judy hitter of all time. 105 out of his 141 hits were singles! His 250. batting average is so misleading. Watching him play this year was painful, I was watching his groundouts and popups routinely. 373. slugging pct.??? I mean he just beats Ordonez, thats retarded. I give credit to Steve Phillips for this offseason, but losing Olerud for this piece of crap hurt badly. Getting rid of him was better than acquiring Alomar from where I sit. Never come back again Todd, dont bring back my nightmares about you striking out with your faget swing.

murphy
May 24, 2002
Welcome to another edition of Disgusting Numbers for Ex-Mets. Today's subject is Todd Zeile. Just compare these numbers from this year with Colorado to his last year in a Mets uniform:

2001 - 531 ABs, 10 HRs, 62 RBIs, .266 avg., .373 slugging %

2002 - 146 ABs, 8 HRs, 31 RBIs, .295 avg., .514 slugging %

A .141 jump in slugging % is crazy. Now while you may be thinking that Mr. Zeile's power numbers are up strictly due to Coors Field, just look and you'll see that Zeile has a .518 slugging % at home and a .508 slugging % on the road. So it's not just the Coors Field Effect.

Sickening, isn't it?

Jonathan Stern
November 21, 2002
Aged about twenty years in the middle of the 2000 season (after starting off well) and never came back. An easy out throughout 2001.

Ryan
August 12, 2003
Todd has always been one of my favourite players. I still have a Starting Lineup figure of him in my room from back when he caught for the Cards. He's a great utility player and a very down to earth guy. Some people have been comparing him to other recent Mets first basemen (namely Olerud) and saying how severely inferior Zeile is. Don't get me wrong, Olerud is a great player, but his heart wasn't in New York. As far as the remark about Zeile being a Punch and Judy hitter, he has more HR's lifetime (OK, only a few more) than Olerud in nearly the same amount of games. And Mo Vaughn? Please...at 35, he's finished in baseball. Zeile is older than both and still gets it done.

Anthony
December 19, 2003
I think Todd Zeile was a solid player for the Mets with a lot of heart. Yeah, I would have liked it better if they had kept John Olerud. I know Mr. Zeile took a lot of criticism for his subpar season in 2001. But, remember that he was one of their best hitters in the 2000 postseason, especially in the World Series when he was one of the few that was effective offensively. Plus, even though he was hurt, he played in 2001. After that season, I think they should have kept him instead of getting Mo Vaughn. They should have at least gotten Tino Martinez, and kept him or Robin Ventura to play third. Even if they were going send him off no matter what, it should have been for minor leaguers to add to the farm system. All in all, I liked Todd Zeile. I remember how he always did well against the Mets when he faced them on other teams. I also remember getting his autograph in 1994 at a game against the Cardinals. He seems like an all-around good guy.

Mr. Sparkle
February 1, 2004
I know Todd will probably not be a huge contributor in 2004 but I gotta say I love this guy. Recently he said, his best time in baseball was when he played for the Mets, which is saying a lot considering he spent 6 years with the Cardinals and had two pretty decent years with the Rangers. So right there he's scoring points, and then he says he would never want to play in the Bronx again because with that team every day is potentially end all and being a role player there is very unsettling and there is a revolving door atmosphere. That's awesome. It's like I was speaking for him, except without the cursing.

I think he'll be a good leader for this young team and he can help his buddy Piazza if Mike is having a hard time dealing with playing first (although I think Piazza will be fine).

I hope the Mets hang onto Todd after his playing days. I think he would be a great manager some day.

Joe Figliola
February 2, 2004
Whenever Todd connects with a pitch, his batting motion gives me the impression that he's swinging a cricket bat instead of a Louisville Slugger.

I'm kind of ambivalent about his return to the Mets. But as long as he's with the Amazin's for one more year, let's hope he's productive.

As most of you know, his wife Julianne was a former Olympic gymnast. She also did a little acting, most notably in a "Charles in Charge" episode where she had a crush on Willie Aames.

vemmerf
February 12, 2004
The Yankees get Sheffield and we get Zeile. Ugh.

When I saw him not hustle down the line in Game 1-- AFTER THE TIMO PEREZ DISASTER--I then understood why this guy has been on 10 teams in 8 years.

Nice guy or no, Zeile is a bum and reaquiring him is a perfect microcosm of how far the Mets are from being competitive.

Robo
August 6, 2004
Zeile is no bum. Anyone that can stick around for 16 seasons in the major leagues deserves applause. Zeile may not be a .300 hitter who knocks in 100 RBIS or hits 30 homers, but he is a great leader, and will consistently get a big hit for you. He's been on a ga-zillion teams, but his time on the Mets in 2000 will always be remembered. And his HUGE hits against the Phillies this year brought more than enough satisfaction to this Met fan!

Kiwiwriter
September 24, 2004
I am saddened to see Todd Zeile hanging it up, and gladdened to see that he got his 2,000th hit and a chance to return to his catching roots before doing so.

He's a good ballplayer, who contributed everywhere he played. He had an unenviable task in replacing John Olerud at first base, and did not disgrace himself in the role.

I'll miss him.

Jim Snedeker
October 7, 2004
Heard that Todd hit a 3-run homer in his final at-bat in his career. And my dad was happy that he got hit number 2000. What a way to end a journeyman's career! Go Todd!

Ryan
October 7, 2004
I went to the game yesterday (my first at Shea after many years of watching on TV) and saw the swan song of Todd, the Expos, and possibly John Franco. I always liked Todd and will definitely miss him. He was one of the few left playing from back when I was a kid just getting into baseball. He caught in his last game and hit one out in his last at bat. It was a great game and it was good to see Todd go out in style. Thanks for the memories Todd, and for making my first game great.

David
October 27, 2004
Man the Mets sure acted like he was a Hall of famer, and a life long Met. Fact is he was a journeyman that will never make it to the Hall. Zeile had a huge series against the Phils, but after that he hit like a pitcher would yet Howe played him every day over guys like Valent.

Anthony
January 10, 2005
This is my second posting about Todd Zeile. He was a big contributor in 2000, especially in the playoffs. One of the few who actually was effective with the bat in the Subway World Series. I was glad when they signed him back for 2004. At spring training, I got his autograph for the second time (first in '94) and a nice picture taken with him. Also, an autograph for my cousin. I even told him how they should have never gotten rid of him so that they could replace him with Mo Vaughn and he said "I agree." Thanks for everything, Todd.

DB
July 5, 2005
Honestly, did Zeile ever get a hit with the Mets? The only thing I ever remember him for was almost hitting a home run in the Subway Series.

Bonbolito
February 12, 2006
Say whatever you want about him, the team got to the Series with him. I remember being struck by his athleticisim. Watching him field you could tell that it was on the job training but you could also see that he was really trying physically and mentally to make a go of it at first. It may not have been enough at times but he tried his best. How many other players can you say that about?

Edward
March 16, 2007
I was working in FAO Schwarz Toy Store here in White Plains. I was at lunch in the food court. Then one of my co workers comes up to me and says. Do you know who just walked in the door? I said no, who? He told me Todd Zeile just came in. So I finished my lunch and got a piece of paper and walked up to him and asked for his autograph. He was so nice to me.

Christine
October 6, 2007
I Love Todd Zeile! He is so hot, and soo nice. I met him and it was awesome. I was looking foward to seeing him in the post season on SNY again like in 2006. I guess I'll have to wait till 2008. LETS GO METS!!!

P.S. He has an amazing plane. I saw a feature on him during a special on the travel channel. He is multi-talented!

Jimrat
October 24, 2008
I'd like to congratulate Todd on his recent induction into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. This is quite an honor with all the great athletes that have competed there. (Over 100 national titles in all sports speaks for itself.) Todd was among them with his years as the Bruins' catcher.

Todd was a quality major leaguer, but I often felt sorry for him. He never seemed to find a home (he played for 11 different teams in 15 years), which I believe hurt his career. He would have been more productive if he stayed with one team for a long period of time. Constantly changing teams is supposed to be something for mediocre players trying to extend their careers, not guys like Todd. He was always in the starting lineup. Perhaps his career is an example of baseball in the era of free agency.

One fact about Todd that can't be changed is that the only team for whom he played in the World Series was the Mets in 2000. That Series was also the only Fall Classic the Mets played in during Todd's career. I like to think that if Todd and the Mets had spent more years together, there would have been more World Series for both of them.

Well, what might have been will never be determined. Still, Todd was an excellent ball player as his UCLA induction indicates. He just never spent enough time in one place to become a standout in the majors.

scott r
January 9, 2009
I always liked Todd Zeile, even before he was a Met. Wish he could've hit the ball about 1 foot further against the Yankees in the World Series so he would have had a homer and it would not have mattered that Timo Perez slowed down. I remember he got to catch in his last game and hit a homer in his last at bat.