#216) PAT ZACHRY

Pat Zachry was traded by the Cincinnati Reds with Doug Flynn, Steve Henderson, and Dan Norman to the New York Mets for Tom Seaver on June 15, 1977. He was chosen to represent the Mets in the 1978 MLB All-Star Game, but did not pitch. On July 24, 1978, Zachry was the starting pitcher against the Cincinnati Reds at Shea Stadium as Pete Rose entered the game with a 36 game hitting streak. Rose was 0-3 until a seventh inning single gave him a 37 game hitting streak to tie the National League record. Four batters later Pat was removed in favor of Kevin Kobel. In frustration Zachry went to kick a batting helmet sitting on the dugout steps. He missed the helmet and kicked the step - fracturing his left foot and ending his season.

Zachry never was quite the same after the injury. However on April 10, 1982 he would take a no-hitter into the eighth inning at Wrigley Field. It was broken up when Cubs' pinch hitter, Bobby Molinaro singled to right field. Thus continuing the curse of failed no-hitters for the team. Pat was traded by the Mets to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Jorge Orta on December 28, 1982.

After his baseball career he owned and operated a batting facility in his hometown of Waco, Texas. Pat was a member of the St. Petersburg Pelicans in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in Florida until the league folded. Zachry is a regular instructor during the Mets' Fantasy Camps. He explains it, "Baseball is still a great game, and it is great to be able to get out there and help somebody." Pat was inducted into the New Waco ISD Athletic Hall of Fame.

Pat Zachry signed his card in the set from an autograph request sent to his home in December of 2008.