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Franchise icon Endy Chavez has returned to the Mets organization as a Minor League coach

The Mets and new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen have made plenty of moves this offseason, but perhaps none could elicit the same feeling of nostalgic wonder as the one made on Monday afternoon: 

While Chavez may not be considered one of the best players in franchise history, he is the rightful author of one of the signature moments in Mets history -- his epic home run robbery of Scott Rolen during Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS against the Cardinals:

Sure, the Mets may have gone on to lose that game and the series, but look at that catch! No one will ever forget that catch!
Fans also won't have to go far to see Chavez in Mets colors, as he will be on the coaching staff of the nearby Brooklyn Cyclones of the short-season New York-Penn League. As cool as it is to see Chavez return to the organization as a coach, it is arguably a bit disappointing that they couldn't find room for him as a player -- he just spent the offseason in the Venezuelan Winter League hitting .319 and making familiarly spectacular defensive plays in the outfield:

Chavez just turned 41 last week, but it sure looks like he could suit up in Spring Training tomorrow and fit right in with the other players:

At the very least, it would not be a surprise at all to see Chavez back and crushing it next offseason in Venezuela again. For now, he'll transition into a new phase of his baseball career -- one that probably involves less jumping.

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