Identifying Photo?

Although I'm not sure, but I guess it is Warren Cromartie.

- but I guess it is Warren Cromartie

I don't think it is. Cromartie wasn't even in the majors for the most part of 1974. Meanwhile, Cromarite never even played for the Mets. Cromarite played for the Expos and the Royals. [Link - Baseball Reference]

My guess is that it may be John "The Hammer" Milner, but can't be sure. I could only find one baseball card of him. [eBay Photo]

Hi Rob,

I believe the player is Don Buford, who wasn't on the New York Mets' roster in 1974, but was playing Japanese professional baseball at the time.

My friend, Jeff Alcon, checked a Mets website that had photos of every Met in history and concluded that this player was not a Met.

Dan Johnson is probably on the right track - that the player could be from another team playing in Japan.

However, this person does not resemble Don Buford. The player in the photo is as tall as Nagashima and taller than Oh. Sadaharu Oh was 5'11" and Don Buford was 5'8".

You're right, Kiyoshi. The player in the photo resembles Buford in a long-distance shot I saw of him on the Internet. However, after looking at several close-up shots of Buford from his playing days in North America and Japan, I realize that the player in the photo definitely isn't him. I've just moved from Kansas City back to the San Francisco area, and my stuff is still in storage. Once I have access to my books and magazines, I'll try again to identify the player. Of course, someone else might provide the correct identity before then. I apologize for the mistake.

Thanks for all of the responses. Does anyone have a list of the gaijin players who were in Japan in 1974?

Thanks,

Rob

One side note is that the Mets' owner had difficulty fielding a complete team because many of the Mets did not want to go to Japan.

Another possibility is that this person may not be a player but a guest at the reception.

Here it is. But I don't know whether the guy is in this list.

Foreign Players in 1974:
Matty Alou - Taiheiyo-Club Lions
George Altman - Lotte Orions
Gene Ammann - Hankyu Braves
Rick Austin - Hankyu Braves
Cletis Boyer - Taiyo Whales
Don Buford - Taiheiyo-Club Lions
Jim Hicks - Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Frank Howard - Taiheiyo-Club Lions
Clarence Jones - Kintetsu Buffaloes
Mike Kekich - Nippon Ham Fighters
James Lefebore - Lotte Orions
Terry Ley - Nippon Ham Fighters
Ron Lolich - Nankai Hawks
Thomas Martin - Chunichi Dragons
Mickey McGuire - Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Wes Parker - Nankai Hawks
Roger Repoz - Yakult Swallows
John Sipin - Taiyo Whales
Lawrence Snow - Nippon Ham Fighters
Bobby Taylor - Hanshin Tigers
Jimmy Williams - Chunichi Dragons

I sent the link off to the Mets. Maybe I'll get a response. I thought it might be John "The Hammer" Milner, but it's a guess. Definately not Bufors. Buford had a very angular nose.

Could that be Cleon Jones?

I guess you ask for help, then you don't reply. I previously stated that I think it's Cleon Jones. What do you think?

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all of the responses! I've tried to compare the picture to those of Milner, Jones, and Buford. But I don't think that this guy has their features.

I appreciate all of the efforts!

Thanks,
Rob