Welcome to the seventh installment of Mets Sunday School: Forgotten Faces of Flushing, where we take a trip down memory lane to revisit the orange-and-blue-clad players who time—and often Mets fans—seem to have forgotten. Every week, we’ll rummage through baseball cards (or crumbling programs that smelled like hot dogs) to shine a light on the Mets who didn’t make headlines but somehow found a way to be part of the team’s unpredictable and unforgettable history at Shea, Citi, the Polo Grounds, and beyond.Think of this as a history class for the diehards, but without the pop quizzes or mandatory attendance. Whether these players were flashes in the pan, benchwarmers who turned into cult heroes, or just plain footnotes, they all have a story worth telling so grab a seat, sharpen your pencils, and let’s get to work!
Last week, we turned up the heat with Bobby Parnell, the flame-throwing righty who rode his 100-mph fastball to the closer’s role. Along the way, there were highs, lows, and enough arm trouble to make a physical therapist weep. This week, we shift gears to a player known as much for his signature curls as his clutch hitting—José Cardenal. So pick out your best ‘70s style and join us as we explore José Cardenal’s winding road through the big leagues, including his brief but memorable stop in Queens with the Mets.
José Cardenal was one of the last Cuban ballplayers to make it out before Castro slammed the door, and he made the most of his time in the majors—18 seasons, nine teams, and enough wild moments to fill a Netflix doc. But just calling him a journeyman outfielder doesn’t do him justice. As a young player, he drew comparisons to Willie Mays, and while that might’ve been a stretch, the guy had legit tools. At 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds soaking wet, he still packed surprising pop, had wheels that could burn up the basepaths, and an arm that could launch a baseball from Havana to Miami.
Of course, Cardenal wasn’t just known for his talent—he had a fiery streak that made him a handful for managers, umpires, and anyone who got in his way. He racked up ejections like they were base hits, and his injury history? Let’s just say if there were a Hall of Fame for bizarre injuries, Cardenal would have his own wing. But despite the drama, Cardenal carved out an impressive career, hitting .275 and even making it to the World Series with the Royals. And before his playing days were done, he made a brief stop in Queens—though, like many Mets stints, it didn’t quite go according to plan.
José Cardenal was born , in Matanzas, Cuba. A second cousin of Bert Campaneris, he grew up a few blocks away from the future A’s speedster, and the two often played ball together. At 16, he left Cuba for the U.S. with a $200 signing bonus from the Giants—just enough to buy a suit, a pair of shoes, and a new glove.
Adjusting wasn’t easy. He barely spoke English, missed his family, and found that his letters home were often delayed or mysteriously opened before arriving. But on the field? No issues there. In 1961, he debuted with the El Paso Sun Kings, belting a home run in his first game and finishing the year with a .355 average, 35 homers, 108 RBIs, and 64 stolen bases. He even played all nine positions in the season finale—something cousin Bert would famously do in 1965.
That monster season earned him MVP honors and a jump to Triple-A Tacoma in 1962. But going from Class D to Triple-A was like jumping from T-ball to the majors. He hit just .222 and racked up a few $50 fines for “failure to hustle” and getting picked off. Still, he remained a fan favorite, played winter ball, and made the Giants’ 40-man roster.
Back in El Paso in ’63, he rediscovered his swing—hitting .312 with 36 homers—but also made headlines for storming the opposing dugout with a letter opener. After a brief call-up, he returned to Tacoma in ’64, hit .289, and got another Giants cameo, though he went hitless in 15 at-bats. Then came a disciplinary fine for showing up late. Sound familiar?
In November ’64, the Giants shipped him to the Angels for Jack Hiatt. Cardenal didn’t hold back: “Nobody was working together with the Giants. … I was never happy there.” The Angels gave him a fresh start, and in ’65, he stole 37 bases—including three steals of home—made the Topps All-Rookie Team, and hit .250 with 11 homers before wearing down late.
A winter ball stint in Venezuela ended in controversy when the LaGuaira Sharks accused him of tanking and tried to blacklist him. He insisted an injury slowed him down.
In ’66, he and Rudy May spoke out about housing discrimination near the Angels’ new ballpark, but nothing changed. The team assigned Jimmy Piersall as his mentor, and by April, Piersall was raving: “José can be the best center fielder in the league.” He backed it up, hitting .276 with 16 homers and 24 steals.
The next year, he lost playing time to Jay Johnstone, then blew out his knee in a collision with Tigers catcher Bill Freehan. His numbers dipped to .236, trade rumors swirled, and The Sporting News called him moody. Cardenal, never one to stay quiet, fired back: “I love to play baseball, and all I ask is to play and carry my own weight.”
After Cardenal’s article hit, he was traded to the Indians for outfielder Chuck Hinton. The reason? “Bill Rigney didn’t like Cardenal,” said Angels GM Fred Haney. The change of scenery worked wonders for him. By May 23, 1968, Cardenal had four hits in a win, and the season saw him hit .257 with 40 stolen bases. He even made history with two unassisted double plays—something only four outfielders had done before.
But by 1969, his moodiness wore thin with Cleveland. After the season, he was traded to the Cardinals for Vada Pinson, and Cardenal embraced the move. In 1970, he hit .293, though critics still claimed he wasn’t playing hard enough. He fought back, holding a press conference with his wife Pat by his side. Teammate Dick Allen helped him rediscover his swing, turning him into a more controlled hitter.
By 1971, Cardenal had a hot spring, but once the season started, the critics returned. He used Japanese bats to try and fix his issues, but they didn’t quite work, and he got fined for it. In July, he was traded to the Brewers for five players. He batted .258 for them, then played in Venezuela before being shipped to the Cubs for three players in December.
With the Cubs, Cardenal became a fan favorite, and even manager Leo Durocher liked him. Cardenal had a great 1972 with the Cubs, batting .291 with 17 homers and 25 steals, but later battled illness. In 1973, even playing through injuries, he was called “the complete player” by coach Hank Aguirre. By 1974, Cardenal was considered one of the Cubs' strengths, signing a two-year deal and batting .317. In 1976, he was batting .299 when he sprained a ligament against the Phillies.
By 1977, after a rough patch, he was benched and became a platoon player. He was traded to the Phillies in October 1978, where he had a reserve role. In 1979, after a rough go with the Phillies, Cardenal was traded to the Mets on August 2. It was like something out of a baseball sitcom: between games of a twi-night doubleheader, Cardenal played the first game for the Phillies, then switched uniforms and dugouts to join the Mets for the second game. It wasn’t exactly a smooth wardrobe change, but he made it work. He stuck with the Mets for the rest of that season and hung around for most of 1980 as well.
During his brief tenure with the Mets in 1979 and 1980, he had a few key moments that stood out. He made an immediate impact after joining the team in August 1979, debuting on August 4 with a two-hit performance, including a double and an RBI in a 3-2 win over Montreal. The following day, in the first game of a doubleheader, he followed up with another two-hit game and hit his first home run as a Met. He continued to contribute offensively, reaching base twice and driving in a run in the Mets’ 18-5 rout of Atlanta on August 14. Two days later, he showcased his power again with another home run in a 6-3 victory over the Braves. That season, he provided a steady presence in right field and even filled in at first base while maintaining a solid .354 on-base percentage, giving the struggling Mets some much-needed offensive depth.
In 1980, his role diminished significantly, as he was primarily used as a pinch hitter and occasional outfielder. He made his first start on April 27 in a 12-inning loss to Houston, collecting a hit and a walk. On May 5, he delivered a two-hit game in a 3-2 extra-inning win against Cincinnati, briefly raising his batting average to .267. However, opportunities became scarce, and by early May, he was out of the lineup for good. Though his time with the Mets was short-lived, he provided a brief spark in late 1979 before fading into more of a depth role. His departure reflected the team’s rebuilding efforts and the need to create space for younger talent.
Shortly after being let go, Cardenal signed with the Kansas City Royals and finished his major league career with them during the 1980 World Series. It wasn’t exactly the fairytale ending, but it was a fitting capstone for a player whose career had been filled with highs, lows, and plenty of change.
Cardenal’s time in Queens was brief, but like so many players who have donned the orange and blue, he left his mark in unexpected ways. Whether it was his switch of dugouts mid-doubleheader, his timely hitting in late 1979, or just his unmistakable presence on the field, he became another fascinating figure in Mets history. While his best years came elsewhere, Cardenal’s journey—marked by talent, fire, and a little bit of chaos—epitomizes the unpredictable nature of baseball. Next week, we’ll take a deep dive into another forgotten face of Flushing, a player whose impact on the Mets may have been felt more in the clubhouse than in the box score. Stay tuned!
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