Jerry Grote's presence as a catcher and his unique personality were essential to the success of the 1969 Mets, standing out among the diverse characters in the team.
Grote's gritty and abrasive playing style, likened to 'sandpaper,' contributed significantly to the Mets' 'Amazin' run to a world championship in 1969.'
Teammates like Jerry Koosman acknowledged Grote's pivotal role in their success, with Koosman expressing deep sadness at his passing and hailing Grote as the best behind the plate.
Opponents, including Johnny Bench, recognized Grote's exceptional skill, with Bench even humorously remarking that if Grote were on the Reds, he would have been playing third base.
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