Tom Parsons for Jerry Grote
From The Met Wiki
| Date: October 19, 1965 |
| Team: Houston Astros |
| Sent: Tom Parsons |
| Received: Jerry Grote |
On October 19, 1965, the Mets acquired catcher Jerry Grote from the Astros. The deal was completed on November 24 when the team sent pitcher Tom Parsons to Houston. Grote had played in 103 games for the Houston team in 1963 and 1964 (when it was known as the Colt .45s) and spent the '65 season in the minor leagues. Parsons had appeared in 39 games for the Mets over the previous two years.
The trade worked out very well for the Mets. Grote became a fixture behind the plate during the team's rise from cellar-dwellers to contender status. He remained the Mets' prime catcher for more than a decade, during which the team won two National League pennants and a World Championship. Jerry was inducted into the Mets' Hall of Fame in 1992.
Parsons pitched three seasons for the Astros' AAA-level affiliate in Oklahoma City. He never appeared in another major league game.
