Better Know a Metstache: Nino Espinosa

Nino's hat was held on by the gravitational pull of his afro.

It’s been a while since we got to Better Know a Metstache, so I decided that we needed to come back in style.  It couldn’t just be any stache.  It had to pop.  It had to stand out.  It had to have flair and style.  In other words, it had to be Nino Espinosa.  Who?  Let’s answer that question and salute a Metstache, shall we?

Nino was signed in 1970 at the tender age of 17.  He joined the big club when he was a September call-up in 1974.  Though he totaled only four appearances in 1974 and 1975, by 1976 he established himself as a starter and long reliever.

While his Mets tenure was far from illustrious (he was 25-33 in five seasons with a 4.15 ERA), he had a few key highlights for some pretty dismal teams.  He led the team in wins in 1977 (10) and 1978 (11) and was the team leader in complete games those years with seven and six, respectively.

After the 1978 season, Nino was shipped to the Phillies in exchange for Rich Hebner and José Moreno.  By 1983, he was out of baseball and, sadly, he passed away in 1987 from a heart attack.

Nino shared a mound and some success with a pitching staff that included Jerry Koosman and Tom Seaver.  He may not be The Franchine, but we’re glad to have known Nino.

And now you Better Know a Metstache.