Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of Steve Dillon

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Memories of
Steve Dillon

Steve Dillon
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 580 of 1252 players

Stephen Edward Dillon
Born: March 20, 1943 at Yonkers, N.Y.
Throws: Left Bats: Left
Height: 5.10 Weight: 160

Steve Dillon was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on November 26, 2021, August 26, 2022, August 27, 2022, August 28, 2022, August 29, 2022, and February 8, 2023.

First Mets game: September 5, 1963
Last Mets game: May 6, 1964

Share your memories of Steve Dillon

HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY:

Bill Deegan
October 11, 2002
The Mets' only Yonkers native.

leetch 2 messier
February 16, 2005
I remember being him on the 1964 team in spring training. That year the Mets went on a trip in early March to Mexico City and he pitched on that trip.

Bob P
March 4, 2005
Steve Dillon was taken by the Mets from the Yankees in the "First Year Minor League Draft" on November 26, 1962.
Among the names that other teams selected that day were Lou Piniella, Jim Wynn, Glenn Beckert, and Paul Blair. By the way, the Orioles took Blair from the Mets.
So....Steve Dillon straight up for Paul Blair?

Jon
March 23, 2005
That draft was a terrible thing for a team like the Mets, who were already screwed over by the Expansion draft. Baseball had instituted the 1st year player draft so as to put an artificial drag on bonuses for amatuer players -- but back then signing gobs of young players was the only way the Mets had any chance of improving. (This dumb rule was phased out with the institution of the amatuer draft in 65).
The Mets allegedly had Blair fake an injury during instructional league play in hopes that other teams would lay off him. The only other way the Mets could have "saved" Blair was to put him on their active roster -- that's why Kranepool appeared in Sept. of 62 and Cleon Jones in 63. In retrospect they should have released enough vets to protect all their young signees just in case something like this happened.

Mark Simon
February 4, 2007
Received a $2 credit for filling out a survey on Baseball-Reference.com. The Steve Dillon page was the only one left among $2 Mets, so I purchased it. Steve, if you're out there, let it be known that Mets fans do appreciate you!

Rodney
July 21, 2007
I remember Steve Dillon from my old neighborhood in The Bronx. Speaking to him, you would not know that he was ever playing professional baseball. He was very nice to the kids in the neighborhood. I remember watching a game and he was warming up in the bullpen, but never got in. That was the only time I saw him as a player.

Pete B
May 8, 2008
Worked with Steve in the office of the then New Central Railroad in 1962, We all rooted for him to make it with the Mets. He got us tickets to the opener and to the Giant game that year. I remember a Daily News blurb where he was compared to Warren Spahn both physically and predictable talent. I went back to school and never had any contact after that year.

Mike
April 24, 2009
I believe he became a policeman----either NYC or Yonkers. That's what his cousin told me.

Allen Lovitch
January 31, 2014
In the early 60's off season he worked with me at Howard Clothes on Fordham Road in the Bronx. After he left baseball we worked together for several years in the Fordham Road store. He then went on to be a police officer in NYC. I think he spent 20 years for the NYC police dept. A real fine gentleman and a class guy; lovely wife and family so I hope he is spending a peaceful and enjoyable retirement. It would be a hoot to get in contact with him. I think Steve is living on Long Island? By the way Roy White said to say hello if we connected. Saw him last week in Tampa at the legends games.

Matt (mrmc)
August 11, 2015
He pitched in the first night game at Shea Stadium and the first game my wife's grandfather went to at Shea, May 6, 1964. Grandpa Bill says he gave up a home run in the 9th to Vada Pinson that hit 2/3 up on the old scoreboard in right field, further than Strawberry's shot. That was the last game Dillon ever pitched in the majors. Didn't really affect the game, they lost 12-4, dropping their record to 3-16, Let's go Mets!!

Hal David
August 6, 2020
Played in the Dyckewood Junior League against him. In 1957 he replaced me at first base in our annual All-Star game. Don't recall him pitching, but he was a super athlete and a good person.

Diane Dillon
August 11, 2022
Hi! My Dad Steve Dillon #39 will be participating in the Old Timer’s game at Citi Field on 8/27.
Although my dad ultimately retired from baseball. He lived out his dream of playing in the majors. Even today not many can say that! He married a lovely woman had 4 kids became a widower, remarried and had one more son. Today he has a total of 13 grandchildren who love and adore him. He will forever be our super star!
Let’s Go Mets
Thank you to all you die hard Mets Fans.

Mike B
August 15, 2022
Steve may have had a short stay with the NYM but while here he faced and retired:Ken Boyer, Roberto Clemente and Pete Rose. Not too shabby. LGM!

Wateredge Neighbor
August 26, 2022
What a humble man! We lived on the same block for many years and never knew that Mr. Dillon played for our beloved Mets! We’re so thrilled that he’ll be honored tomorrow. Best wishes to all the Dillons:)

Captain Gary from SE VA
August 28, 2022
I saw Steve Dillon pitch in the 2022 Old Timers Game. He did himself and his family proud with his performance. What a great athlete! LGM!

Bill Celnick
August 28, 2022
This man can still pitch at age 79...I was at Old Timers the Old Timers Game yesterday, and Howie Rose introduced him by saying that he pitched in the first ever night game at Shea in 1964. So many old-timers can't even throw out a first pitch without missing the catcher - not Steve Dillon who had no problem pitching from the mound to the catcher.
He was one of the few Mets I was unaware of as I became a fan in 1967...I'm a fan of his now.

John T
August 28, 2022
Not only did 79-year-old Steve Dillon pitch at the Mets 2022 Old Timers game, he also backed up home plate as a runner scored. He looked great!

Flitgun Frankie
July 5, 2023
When Steve Dillon was drafted from the Yankees by the Mets on November 29, 1962, I wonder how many people on that day thought the Mets would win a World Series before the Yankees. To bad Dillon wasn't still around to enjoy it. In that first Shea Stadium night game, he gave up a 9th inning HR to Vada Pinson.