Where Are They Now? Mascot Edition: Mettle the Mule

Baseball's history of colorful mascots dates back more than a century. Unfortunately, some our most distinctive big-headed friends have seen their stories lost in the cracks of time. So let's fill in the blanks -- if the mascots could talk, here's what they (hypothetically) might say. This week: Mettle the Mule, who briefly served as the Mets mascot in 1979.

So Mettle, how did you become a mascot for the Mets?

Well, my owner was a part of that there DeRoulet family. They ran the Mets team for a short while in the 1970s. Reckon’ my caretaker was named Bebe? Anyway, she thought I’d make a fine addition to the team. Thinkin’ I could bring along some sort of spirit and passion to the Mets. I didn’t really see how, but who was I to say somethin’? I’m just a mule. Grateful I can talk at all.

How was Shea in 1979? What was your role?

Shea reminded me of the old farm down South -- lotsa' grass and space to roam. Although, every time I started grazin’ people started yellin’. Wasn’t sure why. It's all gonna' grow back. I could even help with the fertilization process.

My role was to inspire the Mets players and fans. See, Mettle sorta’ means the same thing as spirit and courage. So, I trotted up and down the foul line before games -- smilin' at the crowd and wavin' my tail.  Durin’ the game I stayed in a pen next to the “bull’s pen?” Never did see that bull though. Thank the lord. I really don’t like bulls.

Did you have a favorite aspect of being a mascot in Queens?

Aw shucks, I think the whole experience was really somethin’ special. I’m just happy they chose me. I’m sure there were a buncha’ other mules up for the job. I think the players were pretty nice to me. They left all kindsa' seeds and nuts for me to eat after the game. Really just a fine thing to do.

So why did your tenure as mascot end?

The team had a rough go of it in ’79. I tried my darndest to motivate the fans, but they just didn’t seem too interested. I even did an encore lap along the white line for a couple games. It tired me out, but I really wanted to help this organ-i-zation out.

After that first season, a fella’ by the name of Fred Wilpon came along and decided it was better off if I hit the open road. It was bittersweet. I really loved my time in the big city, but was happy to go back to a place where the grass I stood on was also OK to eat.

Interview conducted by Matt Mongan / MLB.com