July 22, 1963 - The New York Mets won’t be quite as funny when they open their western swing against the San Francisco Giants tomorrow night. They announced today that they will ask for waivers on Jimmy Piersall. “This is a new experience for me,” said Piersall as he neatly folded shirts into a blue duffel bag. “I’ve been traded before, but this is the first time I’ve ever been released. But that’s baseball. After all, it isn’t the end of the world.” The colorful 33-year-old outfielder, who came to the Mets May 23 in the deal that permitted Gil Hodges to go to the Washington Senators as manager, has a batting average of only .193 this season. If no team claims Piersall within the 72-hour period, he will be given his unconditional release. Piersall took the Mets’ announcement graciously. “I never resent something like this,” he said. “This is the way they evaluated me as a player on the field, and that’s that. I have no bitterness and only one regret — that I didn’t do a better job, especially for the Met fans. They’re fantastic.” The personable center fielder apparently signed his own exodus passport as a Met last Wednesday. He pulled a muscle in his left leg while clowning during an infield drill at the Polo Grounds. Since Duke Snider also was hurt that night, that left the Mets two outfielders short. Snider was able to play last weekend in Philadelphia, but Piersall didn’t even make the trip to the City of Brotherly Love. Piersall did, however, journey to the Bronx today to take in the Yankees-Angels contest, and he visited with both teams. “I’ve made some contacts, and I feel things are pretty good for the future,” said Piersall. “I did see him for a few minutes,” was all Los Angeles manager Bill Rigney would say. The Yankees are not interested in signing Piersall. At 33 and with a dozen major league seasons behind him, Piersall doesn’t believe he’s ready for the minors. “I think I have the ability to play up here, and I’ll go to work before I play in the minors.” And he isn’t kidding when he says “I’ll go to work” rather than go down. “I have eight kids, and they have gotten into the habit of eating regularly,” Piersall remarked.
