Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of Jack Aker

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Jack Aker
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Memories of
Jack Aker

Jack Aker
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 318 of 1252 players

Jackie Delane Aker
Born: July 13, 1940 at Tulare, Cal.
Throws: Right Bats: Right
Height: 6.02 Weight: 190

Jack Aker was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on March 17, 2014, July 13, 2016, and October 11, 2016.

First Mets game: June 16, 1974
Last Mets game: September 27, 1974

Share your memories of Jack Aker

HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY:

John R
May 14, 2002
Jack Aker was a great closer- Winning FIREMAN OF THE YEAR IN 1966 for the A's. He managed in the Mets minor league system for many years winning Manager of the Year many times. As a player and a person Jack Aker represented every team he played for in the best light. He now teaches children the sport of baseball and lectures and teaches children of his native tribe.

Joe Figliola
August 23, 2002
When the Mets acquired Jack, it was like their first trade in about six months. At the time, the Mets, for some reason, were absolutely dormant in terms of upgrading their roster, and I think that's why they sputtered in the 1974 season (the only trade I know of in the winter of 1973-74 was Jim McAndrew to the Padres for a minor leaguer).
I remember that Topps put out its Traded baseball cards, and there was not one Met card in it. So when Jack came to the Mets, I took his Cubs card and wroted "TRADED" in block letters the way Topps had it.
I knew of him from the Cubs and thought he was a pretty good reliever. Given the fact that no Mets reliever had more than FOUR (count 'em, four) saves that year, I'm surprised that they didn't let Jack pick up the slack.

Jonathan Stern
March 28, 2005
He was in the Braves' bullpen on April 8, 1974, fighting with other Braves pitchers (including Gary Gentry) for the chance to catch Hank Aaron's career number 715th home run. In the end, Tom House won the fight, after the ball eluded Dodger outfielder Bill Buckner, who had climbed the wall.

Mitch45
July 25, 2005
Threw a wicked palm ball, whatever that was.

Mark Corrao
December 21, 2005
If memory serves me correctly, I think Jack Aker threw submarine style like Jeff Innis. Can anyone verify this?

Edward
December 28, 2005
If I am correct Jack threw over the top maybe even a little 3/4's; his pitch was a hard sinker. He was fireman of the year in 1966 when with the A's. He also had some great years with the Yankees and the Cubs. Today he still teachs youth baseball. He remains a fine example of the honesty and integrity of our baseball heroes.

Feat Fan
September 16, 2007
The Chief was splendid in '66 with the A's, a lowly team that featured Jumbo Nash who went 12-1 after a June call up. Aker pitched for both New York and Chicago teams but as many others, was well past his prime by the time he came to Queens.

Pete Hamner
September 16, 2007
Jack managed me in Lynchburg, Va in 1978. He was a quiet, proud man, who held his players respect. He was a student of the game. Standing on the top step of the dugout....watching the pitcher's every move.
I'll always remember the bus pulling into Lynchburg at 4am concluding another road trip. Stopping at the light....Jack getting off and slowly heading up the hill, carrying his sleeping 5 year old son.

Mrs. Spunky
September 16, 2008
There was never a better manager for the fans than Jack Aker. Jack was scrappy and when he would get ejected, the fans got their money's worth. He once left a game carrying off third base. Another time he threw all the bats and balls he could find onto the field. At the end of every season in Lynchburg the fans would pass the hat and buy Jack durable goods. One year we got him a washer and dryer. One of our best fans attended every home AND away game with his disabled older father and their little dog. When the dog died, Jack and the 1979 team presented a box to the father and son, and out came a puppy from the SPCA like the original dog. There was not a dry eye to be had in that stadium. That is what baseball (at least in the minors) is all about! We love Jack Aker and miss his managing to this day!

david lozano
September 19, 2008
I had the privilege of playing for Jack in 1976 and 1978 for the LYNCHBURG METS. Truly a player's manager and I have the utmost respect for him. He had a wonderful family. Last I heard he was teaching baseball on an Indian reservation in New Mexico. Great character. Good baseball man.

david lozano
August 11, 2015
With the use of computer I checked to what Jack is doing. He was running free baseball clinics for Native Americans on the reservations in New Mexico since 1988. Since then he has been running baseball camps from kids 5 years old and up. A great manager and great teacher of the game of baseball.

Tom Moloney
February 28, 2024
In 2001 Jack's wife Kate (I believe) won $250,000 on the "Who Wants to be A Millionaire" tv show. She had said earlier that any money she might win would pay for the land for a baseball academy.