#26) STEVE DILLON

Steve Dillon was selected from the New York Yankees by the New York Mets during the first year player draft on November 26, 1962. The rules then stated that any drafted player must remain on the new team's roster or be returned. So Steve was with the Mets for two seasons, but only appeared in three games during that time. His second year was 1964 the opening year of Shea Stadium. Dillon would only throw one of his career games at the ball park. Just one, but a very distinctive one. Steve threw the final two innings of the first night game ever played at Shea Stadium on May 6, 1964. The Mets fell to the Cincinnati Reds by a score of 12-4 that evening.

Dillon was honored by the Mets in 2009. He was asked to join Bill Wakefield (Mets starting pitcher in 1964) to throw out simultaneous ceremonial first pitches at new Citi Field to commemorate the historical Shea Stadium game. Wise Snacks sponsored the event on July 10, 2009 during the first appearance of the Cincinnati Reds to the new park.

He enjoyed a career as a New York City police officer after retiring from professional baseball in 1964.

Steve Dillon signed his card from the set on October 28, 2008 from a mailed request to his home address.