Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of David Cone

Mr. Sparkle
I remember one of his first starts with the Mets and he was getting shallacked. He was on the mound and he was either crying or hyperventalating or something. He lost it. He came a long way and turned into a real stud of a pitcher. Trading him away was a huge mistake by the terrible GM Al Harazin. I still love this guy although I can't stomach having him on the Yankees. I root for most ex-Mets and I rooted for him on the Royals and Blue Jays but not on the Yankers. I have to hope he doesn't make the Hall of Fame because if he did, he'd probably totally devastate me and go in as a Yankee. He's border line. I didn't like the rumors about his bullpen antics. They're not fit for print. He's a weird guy.

Me
January 5, 2001
Say what you want about his personality, but he's got one of the nastiest sliders in all of baseball. That's why he's lasted this long.

SHORTY
January 18, 2001
Remember when Dave held onto the ball and argued with the first base umpire about a play at the bag while like 2 other base runners were rounding the bags and scoring on him? Was it 2 guys who scored? I think it was maybe against the Expos. I don't know I just remember how funny it was that his team mates were trying to get his attention and he still just belligerently argued with the ump. That was classic. Still in all a great pitcher. They really screwed up letting him and Doc go. Then they go and pitch a perfect game and a no hitter for the Jankees. Sometimes I think we're cursed.

Me
February 26, 2001
Yeah, that infamous game was in 1990 against the Braves in Atlanta when he was arguing with umpire Eric Gregg and two runners scored while he held the ball in his hand. What was even more classic is what he did later that night after the game. In an effort to forget the embarrasing moment, he got drunk with reporters, gulping down shots of 180-proof rum.

EG
March 18, 2001
Was at the game where he won his 20th. Not a bad season.

Still, his mistake in Atlanta allowing the two baserunners to score was unforgivable and he got off way too easy.

Logan Swanson
April 16, 2001
Why the Mets couldn't resign Cone in 1992 is a mystery. Cone was in the prime of his career. They were more than happy to throw away money on such turkeys as Vince Coleman, Bobby Bonilla, and Bret "bleach bum" Saberhagan.

Wonder if it had something to do with David's staunch union activities.

Coach HoJo 20
April 27, 2001
When he's good he's awesome. When he's bad he's HORRIBLE. That basically describes David Cone. I never really liked the guy. To me he wasn't a "Met." I felt the same way about SHAMpton. The Mets definitely made a mistake by not resigning him. I also remember that incident that Mr. Sparkle is referring too. At that moment I had enough of him and I wanted him off the team.

Me
April 27, 2001
To respond to Logan Swanson's comment about the Mets not signing Cone in 1992...Harazin claimed they couldn't afford him but that was horsespit because they never once asked what kind of $$ Cone wanted. It became obvious later that the real reason they didn't want him back was because of all the distracting sex- related headlines that Cone attracted in previous years, especially during the infamous 1992 spring training when it was revealed that Cone once had a kinky relationship with that woman who accused Gooden, Boston and Coleman of rape. Remember all those sick little details that the papers printed? Harazin's goal right then was to get rid of all those wild 80's Mets and what they were unfortunately left with were a bunch of overpaid, underachieving whiners. As for Cone's union activities, they were the reason Kansas City traded him after the 1994 season.

John Reilly
May 12, 2001
If Cone's sexual hijinks are what made Wilpon/Doubleday boot him off the Mets, then why is Steve Phillips still here? I'd take Cone the pitcher over Phillips the General Manager every time.

Me
May 20, 2001
Phillips is still there because Wilpon's an idiot. Letting Cone go was only one of the approximately 4,000 mistakes Wilpon & Co. has made.

Greg
July 27, 2001
I'll never forget the story of David exposing himself to two female passers-by while in the bullpen in the late 1980's. Every time I hear an announcer say that there's 'action in the Mets bullpen,' I think of David Cone and laugh.

Jersey Joe
August 7, 2001
Kinky sex with spring training groupies ... exposing yourself in the bullpen ... alleged rape in Philadelphia ... and now a Yankee "legend/hero/ A-hole".

Can we please renounce his years as a Met !!! I hate this guy.

Oh yeah, don't forget how he provoked the Dodgers in the '88 Playoffs with his newspaper article. This guy is a real loser ... what a shame that he actually wins so many games.

Jared
August 19, 2001
Reminding rookies and veterans alike that if you are going to argue and cuss like a 12-year-old girl about an umpire's call, CALL TIMEOUT. Damn, his own teammates had to practically grab the ball out of his hand in an attempt to save a run. However, he did come oh so close to 20 K's in one game...

Shannon
October 20, 2001
Back in the 80's before and after he was a Met.I liked Daved Cone.I was a diehard Cards fan.He was one of the only Mets I liked besides Mookie.Still to this day I like David and would love to meet him.He is the only player I like that I have never meet.

Scrappy
December 25, 2001
I was actually at the game in Atlanta when Cone held the ball & argued while 2 Braves tip-toed home behind his back. The Post called it right: "Conehead the Bonehead". Still, one of the great pitchers in a long line of great Mets pitchers.

EG
January 5, 2002
Worth taking a shot on signing him this year. Had a decent year with Bosox last year and would be "cheap."

David M.
February 21, 2002
I always liked David Cone and he always put up good numbers with the Mets and with the Royals, Blue Jays, Yankees(except 2000), etc. When thinking about the Mets from 1987-1990 I always wonder why we did not win a World Series in those years. And I believe it is primarily the fault of the front office, which leads to my next point.

I wish we could have kept him beyond 1992. The only reason we didnt keep him was because of Al Harazin. Harazin was the worst GM in Mets history and has to be considered the worst front office executive in the history of the game(think this, Jeff Torborg hiring, Dykstra-McDowell for Samuel, Vince Coleman).

I read under the Dallas Green area that Harazin is now teaching high school. I wonder what kind of teacher he is.

Larry Burns
May 28, 2002
Here is a great picher who the media loved. I remember his mental meltdown in Atlanta, I thought he was nuts. But he became an excellent pitcher. I would have never guessed in the late 80s that of all the Mets pitchers Cone would have had the greatest career. Even if he did pitch with the YankBags. The only thing that ever annoyed me with Cone was the fact that because he always cooperated with the media they always portrayed him as a principled-standup guy. Was he not the same guy who was accused of exposing himself and watching porno flicks in the bullpen? I guess if you blow off the media and have problems (Straw) you are an archcriminal, but if you grant access, all is forgiven.

Me
June 14, 2002
So, Coney's re-joined the Yankees as a broadcaster?! I guess this was his reward for hanging out in the Yankee Stadium bleachers, Steinbrenner's private box, and basically just begging to be interviewed. And he still insists he wants to pitch in the playoffs if the Yankees need him! What's next, jump up on Steinbrenner's lap and lick his face?? I loved this guy as a pitcher, but I don't know where on earth his integrity has gone to. He's become just another ex-jock who won't leave the game. Lots of luck, ya bum.

Kevin Walsh
July 6, 2002
Coney is the only Met pitcher to pinch hit successfully...singled as a pinch hitter in 1989, I think.

a mets fan
September 14, 2002
I'll never forget the time Atlee Hammaker hit David cone with a pitch and Cone was yelling at Hammaker. I loved Cone I thought he kicked ass and really showed opposing teams what he was made of.

Karl de Vries
December 16, 2002
Ah, some more anti-80's Met bashing, because that's what it really is. The Mets of the 80's were loud, obnoxious, arrogant, macho...but undeniably fun. I am 17 years old, fascinated with the 80's Mets, and wish every day that I could have been there during those years. So, I'm a little confused when I hear people bashing Straw, Gooden, (especially) Hernandez, and Dave Cone. Masturbating in the bullpen? If that isn't one of the funniest and craziest things you've ever heard, you come from a very sheltered home, my friend. The umpire incident, 1990 (at Atlanta, by the way) was another silly incident in a long-forgotten era that should be remembered as a warm memory, not an example as to why we should lynch David Cone. And as for pitching for the Yankees? Hey, WE TRADED HIM! Our fault! He didn't defect, he merely found some love and respect from Steinbrenner who, I am forced to admit, is a much smarter baseball operator than some other baseball owners I know of...

perndude
December 19, 2002
Isn't sad that one of the 5 best pitchers in Mets history is better known as a Yankee? The fact that the Mets constantly allow this stuff to happen kills me. I hope Wilpon changes this moving forward.

Me
February 13, 2003
Just read in today's NY Times that the Mets are close to signing David. Wow. Coney and Fred Wilpon together again? Has the world gone mad? Well, I guess since Cone's grown up and calmed down some, Wilpon won't have to worry about sordid headlines as he did in '92.

It gives me a fuzzy feeling to think of Cone and Franco as teammates again. Brings back memories of those old Mets. Another good thing--according to the article, Steinbrenner is highly pissed. Haha, Steiny. So much for retiring a Yankee and being a YES broadcaster this year!

Never thought I'd say this, but welcome back, Coney.

Mr. Sparkle
February 13, 2003
He's back. That's great. I'd love to see him contribute this year. I always loved this guy and will hate Al Harazin forever for trading him away. I hated seeing Cone pitch in the Bronx and I know recently he said his heart was there more than it was here although he was still being paid by them at the time and did win 4 rings with the demon team. But he did have some great years with the Mets. I hope the Mets can keep this guy around after he is truly retired. It's a shame that guys like this and Gooden and Mazzilli end up on Steinbrenner's payroll after they are retired. I hope he doesn't make the hall of fame, I doubt he will, since if he did he'd probably go in with a demon hat rather than a Mets hat. I hope he can keep it in his pants in the bullpen this time around!

Shari
February 13, 2003
I know everyone loves for an old fan favorite to come back and do well, but lets face it that kind of stuff doesn't happen at Shea, and this isn't a re-make of The Natural starring Robert Redford. WILPON & PHILLIPS STOP SIGNING WASHED-UP OLD FOSSILS ALL READY!!!!!!!!!!!! It doesn't work for us, if the other team across town signed Conie again I guarantee he would have a renaissance year. When are you people going to learn luring old damaged goods out of retirement does not work for this team. Conie-nothing personal, but I would prefer that they sign a young guy with lots of potential than getting you back now.

flushing flash
February 13, 2003
He's BAAAAAAAAAAACK! Now I truly have seen everything. Coney will compete for the #5 spot in spring training against the youngsters Bacsik, Heilmann and Middlebrook. It would be nice to see him succeed, but doing so would mean taking a job and valuable major league experience away from from one of the other three. If he clearly outpitches the trio, all is fine and good and he should go north. But if it is a close race...let's hope Al Leiter's influence and the thought of pissing off Steinbrenner don't get in the way of common sense.

My bet is he doesn't make it through spring training.

Metsmind
February 13, 2003
Well, considering that Cone was caught pleasuring himself in the Mets bullpen during his last tenure, I assume they are only considering him as a starter this time around. Would be a hell of a fix to be "busy" when the manager tries waving you into the game.

Gregory Gewirtz
March 29, 2003
Cone is a mere impediment to the development of our more talented younger pitchers, and is a total waste of time.

In his last two active years, he has shown himself to be a 5 inning pitcher, and having pitchers with no stamina will kill your bullpen.

Any of our young pitchers - Bacsik, Middlebrook, Heilman, Seo, etc., could put up the same 5 innings at a 4.50 ERA that Cone will, except they stand to progress with experience.

Me
May 30, 2003
Coney announced his retirement today. Surprising? No. Hey, he tried. Good for him, but his body couldn't take it. At first I thought he was ridiculous for trying to come back, but I don't begrudge him anymore.

Happy trails, Coney!

Griff
May 30, 2003
Mo Vaughn would be wise to follow David Cone's decision today to hang 'em up before risking permanent damage to his body. Cone's comeback attempt was valiant. And at least he got a win before fading. But it's ironic that Cone, one of the most popular Mets, got one of the biggest outs of his career against the Mets in the 2000 Subway Series. Cone will make an excellent TV analyst or pitching coach somewhere.

Joe Figliola
June 5, 2003
I am proud to say that I scored Dave's last win AND last base hit in his turbulent career.

I always liked him, even though I would sometimes sing the Finesse Shampoo theme song at Shea ("Sometimes you need a little Finesse...") following the alleged incident where the teenage girls claimed Dave was having some fun with a bottle of Finesse shampoo. But I only sang that when he was screwing up.

My favorite Met moment involving Cone was a 1989 game (I don't remember the opponent but it was a hot Saturday night) where he hit a gapper and he was trying hard to get a triple. I remember chanting "Run, David, run!" as he rounded second. Unfortunately, he didn't quite make it. But the Mets won, anyway. By the way, he went 4/12 for me with a double, and he was a lifetime 7/39 batting.

Unfortunately, none of his five world championship rings was attained in his Mets uniform. I'm only sorry that the Mets didn't push harder to get him when he was a free agent in the mid-1990s. Perhaps he could have earned one beating the Yankees in 2000.

LenDog
June 14, 2003
My girlfriend and I went to see the Mets in San Diego. We saw a weekend day game, then went back to our hotel, where the Mets were also staying.

We were dancing to the music in the bar when some of the Mets came in. I only remember Cone and Mackey Sasser. At one point, they were dancing near us with some women.

Suddenly, Sasser was holding his nose, waving away a smell and saying "awww, Coney." Cone was laughing. Apparently, he farted on the dance floor and Sasser caught the worst of it.

Censor me if you like, but it's a true story.

LenDog
June 14, 2003
I went to see the Mets at Candlestick in San Francisco. Cone pitched; Kevin Mitchell hit a 440 foot HR off of him. Mets lost; I think Cone took the L.

Anyway, I knew where the Mets were staying, so my girlfriend and I went to the bar at their hotel. Cone, Elster, and Rick Cerone came in. Cerone had just homered a week earlier, and I am from NJ, like him, so I figured I'd introduce myself, say I am from NJ, and mention his homer. I did, and he was cold as ice. A real jerk, actually. Sitting at the bar alone, smoking a cigarette (yes, in California that used to be allowed.)

Back to David Cone - the bar had ESPN Sportscenter on, so we watched Cone watch himself give up the monster homer to Mitchell. Elster was busting his chops. Can't remember what other players were there, but they were all getting on him.

BEST part of the story: Bob Murphy came in...I sat with him at the bar and talked Mets for an hour. I bought him two drinks to say thanks for all the great years. I think it was 1991 or 1992, and he told me he intended to do one more year w. the Mets. Here it is in 2003 and the Murph is still doing the (infrequent) happy recap.

Jeff In Florida
January 31, 2004
Back in 1988 I said I had the David Cone curse. Would you believe that he was 20-1 in his games that I didn't go to and 0-2 in games I went to. I was at a game against the Reds which he lost. Then in the middle of August I was at a game at Candlestick Park in San Fran in which he struck out something like 10 or 12 hitters but lost I think 4-1.

Kramerica
February 2, 2004
The things I remembered about David Cone (both irritating and complementary):

Spring Training 1987. Cone strikes out the Cards' Jack Clark on a series of three-quarter and Laredo sliders (what a dumb name for a signature pitch). Clark said to the papers that because of Cone's "electric stuff," he should dominate the NL for years to come.
1988 All-Star Game. Even though Cone went 20-3 with a 2.22 ERA that year, his only rough stretch occurred during the All-Star break. Nonetheless, he retired one current Hall-of-Famer and two future HOFers (Paul Molitor, Rickey Henderson, and Wade Boggs) on a K, fly to center, and roller to short, respectively.
1988 too-short postseason. It didn't have to be so short. But, you know Cone; loved the sound of his own voice so much, he had to see his words in print. Jay Howell had a "high school curveball?" How did that help?
Atlanta, 1990. The infamous "Hold a Live Ball While You Argue with the Umpire" play. Fortunately Gregg Jeffries was able to pry the ball from Cone's hands or else Bobby Cox would've tried to score.
Last game, 1991. Amidst the allegations of bullpen shenanigans, strikes out 19 Phillies at the Vet.

Boiled down, Cone was akin to Jeffries - loaded with talent, but erratic at times. Cone leaves the Mets, he wins the Cy Young with Kansas City. Jeffries leaves the Mets, he nearly wins the batting title in St. Louis (something many in the Mets front office said he'd do in New York.)

Vemmerf
February 8, 2004
If it was Game 7 and I had my choice of every Met (as a Met) all time, Coney would get the ball. When he was on, which was often, he was the best. All due respect to Tom Terrific, Dr. K and Koosman, but Coney was tougher.

Danny Baseball
April 10, 2004
David Cone was one of the most electrifying pitchers of his time. He had a nice array of pitches and was money pitcher. He's tops in my book. If Bill Mazeroski can go to the Hall of Fame David Cone should be there too.

Chris NJ
April 20, 2004
David Cone was simply one of the best pitchers of his day. I've been a Met fan all my life and when he was traded back in 1992 it ruined my year, and when he returned in 2003 to retire where he belongs I could not have been happier.

Kiwiwriter
July 23, 2004
He was such a great pitcher. And the Mets unloaded him because he had that thing that was anathema to the post-1986 Mets: personality. They swept out every player who was not a milquetoast as quick as they could. Cone was just one of the last to go. And they traded him for Jeff Kent, who proceeded to whine his way out of New York, for Carlos Baerga! Trades from hell!

Great competitor, great drive. What I remember best about him are not the accusations of masturbation (the accuser was a woman of questionable virtue), but how he maintained composure in the face of disaster, like the 1988 column, the 1990 Atlanta incident, the 1996 aneurysm, getting bitten by the dog so El Duque could come up.

I was glad when he came to the Yankees, and happier that they re-signed him. Steinbrenner definitely got his money's worth out of Coney. The perfect game, sadly, was really the end. It was like he was a different pitcher after that...everything he had went into that perfecto.

I'll also never forget how he sat in the Yankee bleachers for a game, and the commercial he did with the "ANSKY" guys, where they tend to his arm. That was funny!

Dougie
November 15, 2005
David Cone was my hero growing up in NYC and even when we moved to Carolina. He won the first Mets win I ever saw at Shea in 88 (sadly, it wasn't the first Mets game I'd seen) beating the Padres. It pained me over the years, but I stood by him despite being traded to the hated Jays and Yanks. I'll never forget playing wiffleball with my friends when I was 6 or 7...we'd all be Mets players...I'd always be Cone...and from that time til when my 75mph fastball was ruled too slow to make varsity, I always pitched.

Jonathan Stern
December 1, 2005
I don't know where to begin with Cone, so I'll just compile a list:

1. The crazed look on his face whenever he lost his composure, referred to by Harper and Klapisch as Cone's "Marty Feldman look." 2. His willingness to pitch to Mackey Sasser despite the latter's throwing problems. 3. His 1991 19-strikeout-performance in Philly done in the shadow of rape allegations. 4. His great rapport with the media, aided and abetted by his own personal writing ambitions. 5. 20-3 in his first full year at Shea. How often do you see a W-L record like that? 6. The x-rated business in 1992, presaging his banishment from Shea (for Ryan Thompson and Jeff Kent, the latter of whom was traded for, uh, Baerga and Espinoso). 7. Yours truly cheering like mad for him in the 1992 World Series when he won a ring with Toronto. 8. His 1994 Cy Young Award. 9. His winning World Championship after World Championship with the hated Yankees. 10. His probable place in Cooperstown.

I can come up with many more, but I'll leave it at ten.

Like most of the mid-to-late-80's Mets, the man was no choirboy. But he was colorful, competitive, articulate, and a winner. He made the Mets exciting to watch at time when they were collapsing as an organization. When they traded him to Canada, it truly was, as Cone himself put it at the time, the end of an era. One of my all-time favorite Mets... on the field, not off of it.

Mark Corrao
December 21, 2005
Why did he have to write that column for the New York Post during the 1988 playoffs? We have writers for that. Was he not making enough money pitching? He rallied up the Dodgers, who we dominated all season 10-1. All that being said, he was one of the best pitchers ever to wear a NY Mets uniform. He had some nasty stuff. Too bad he pitched his no hitter for the Yankees and not us. A class act, too.

JFK
May 3, 2006
Great pitcher and what a mistake to trade him. I remeber him striking out 19 in the last game of the season in 1991. The last out was a ground ball to Kevin Elster and I was hoping would do the right thing and throw the ball away to allow Cone the chance to to break the record.

Larry Burns
May 10, 2006
A shining example of the fickle nature of the New York Sports media. He exposes himself to some girls in the Mets bullpen, but because he was so accessible he was given a free pass and was crowned the honorable elderstatesmen on the Yankees. Loved the Laredo Slider!

Ringo Boisclair
October 1, 2008
David Cone was the best money pitcher of his era. As a Met, after 1988, he was the ace, not Doc. As a Yankee, he was the guy they wanted on the mound when it counted, not Clemens. And for 12 seasons, he was as good as anyone in whatever league he was in at the time.

I'm glad the sportswriters liked him, because it will enhance his chances to make the Hall Of Fame.

But where was he for the Shea Stadium closing ceremonies?

His name wasn't even mentioned among the players who couldn't attend. I'd be a bit astonished if he wasn't invited.

Does anyone know the answer to this?

Marc
December 11, 2008
David Cone is my favorite Met of all time. Back in 1990 I went to a baseball card show where he was signing autographs for $10 a pop. My dad bought me 2 tickets so I could get 2 autographs. He signed a photo for me and the 2nd time I went up to get his autograph I was flipping through 6 baseball cards because I couldn't decide which one I wanted him to sign. He signed them all for me. That summer day in 1992 when the Mets traded him was one of the worst days of my life.

Feat Fan
March 9, 2009
The only hurler to post 20 win seasons for both the Mets and Yankees 11 years apart! I recall a Friday night game in the summer of 92 vs the Giants. Coney threw a CG shutout, 14 k's and 175+ pitches....What pitch count? Classy righty reminded me a bit of Catfish Hunter.

JFK
June 11, 2009
I read something today that on 6/4/91 Hubie Brooks had to get between Cone and Harrelson in the dugout during a game to prevent a fight. Does anyone recall this incident?

Cameron
January 23, 2012
What about the incident when the fan rushed the field to hug him, and he shoved her away after she got the hug?

Sparky
August 21, 2012
Here is what I never understood: during his masturbation moment, how did it not get covered by stadium cameras? And how did not any other fans notice? Was it at Shea?

Joe
April 2, 2013
Like him or not David may very well be the 4th greatest starting pitcher in Mets history just behind the "big 3" (Seaver, Gooden, Kooz) and I for one want to see him in his rightful spot in the Mets H.O.F. Yes he has big-time Yankee roots, but let's not have that overshadow his Mets legacy. From '88 through '92 he was the ace, not Doc. Let's get him back on our side. I also think he would be great in the booth to alternate with Keith and Ron.

Mister X
March 29, 2013
The fact that he pitched a perfect game with the Yankees is – and always will be – morally incorrect.

Jeff Young
June 8, 2013
Most of what I remember about Cone has, of course, already been covered here, but I don't see anyone mention that his career was being covered for a while by a paper in Israel because they were under the impression that his name was Cohen, not Cone.

Mike McGarry
July 7, 2016
I remember, in 1988, after the Mets had owned the Dodgers in the regular season, Cone made childishly disparaging remarks about the Dodgers immediately before his first NLCS start, and of course, the Dodgers ate him up in that start. Later, with the Dodgers up 3 games to 2, Cone pitched a complete game victory giving up only one run. In other words, Cone was Cone. Had Cone only kept his mouth shut, we might have never gotten to that disastrous game seven. He was one of the greatest pitchers in our franchise: how did they ever let him go in his prime?

Also, can anyone tell me the date of his famous pinch-hit?