Health concerns for former Mets

As the Mets prepare to open their season, the health of prominent former players Rusty Staub, Ed Kranepool and Bud Harrelson has caused concern. However, recent information on the trio seems more encouraging.

“We’re all on the injured reserve list,’’ Kranepool said last week. Kranepool and Harrelson played on the 1969 World Series champions and were joined by Staub on the 1973 pennant- winner. The former players are experiencing the opposite of what teammate Tom Seaver once expressed as the joy of being young and a Met.

Staub, who spent nine of his 23 major-league seasons with the Mets, is undergoing dialysis in a West Palm Beach Hospital after recovering from a staph infection. On Thursday, Staub’s brother Chuck said, “He is doing good,’’ though he said the doctor added, “This is a long haul.’’

In October 2015, Staub suffered a heart attack on a return flight from Ireland. Reportedly, two doctors on the plane stabilized Staub and he was brought back to Ireland, where he underwent successful surgery.

Since his retirement from baseball, Staub has remained active in charity work in New York City. His foundation said it has raised more than $17 million and has served more than nine million meals to those in need. He also has worked for decades with the New York City Police and Fire Widows and Children’s Benefit Fund.

A Mets spokesman said multiple people from the organization have called and visited Staub, who will turn 74 next Sunday.

Kranepool, a Jericho resident who played 18 seasons for the Mets, is hopeful of finding a kidney donor. Kranepool, 73, said he already was having kidney issues in 2017 when a bone infection in his left foot required three surgeries and the removal of all five toes because of diabetes.

“If you look at me, you’d say, ‘He looks pretty good,’ ’’ said Kranepool, who works for a credit-card processing company. But he said the loss of his toes has affected his balance. “When my grandson throws you the basketball,’’ he said, “you have to be careful he doesn’t knock you over.’’

Kranepool said that though his situation is not life-threatening, he hopes a potential donor will contact Stony Brook University for screening because the likelihood of reaching the top of the transplant list “could be five or six years down the road. Then you’d be too old.’’

Harrelson, 73, the Mets’ longtime shortstop and former manager — and third-base coach for the 1986 World Series champions — is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, his family said.

Kim Battaglia, Harrelson’s former wife, said last week, “There’s the moments where he’s still himself. He says funny things, self-deprecating things.’’

Harrelson, who lives in Hauppauge, expects to be in uniform when the Long Island Ducks’ home schedule starts in May. Harrelson is part-owner of the Atlantic League team.

“He wants to be there. He wants to be involved as much as he can,’’ Battaglia said. “He just wants to be there to support and help the organization.’’

Battaglia said Harrelson “is just the kind of person that you want to help because he doesn’t expect it from you. He’s the kindest, most generous, unselfish human I’ve ever met . . . There were no big angry issues between us that we had to overcome. When someone is ill in any way, the small stuff just falls away anyway.’’

Battaglia said Harrelson cried when she read from the many cards and letters sent by well-wishers since the family disclosed his diagnosis last month. “He said, ‘I didn’t do anything special,’ ’’ she said.

Harrelson has been a force for Make-A-Wish Suffolk County, which helps grant wishes of terminally ill children. “There are people that can write checks. He did so much more,’’ said Katrine Hollander, president and CEO of the foundation.

Harrelson used to room with Hall of Fame pitcher Seaver, 73, who lives in California’s wine country. Seaver has experienced short-term memory loss, his daughter Anne said last June. Seaver’s family did not respond to requests for an update.

Former Mets pitcher Jon Matlack, 68, was a teammate of Seaver, Kranepool, Staub and Harrelson.

“We were all young, healthy, strong,” Matlack said. “It was like nothing can really happen to you. You get to a point where you come to a realization, you know what? Life does occur and things do happen. Damn it, they’re my compadres. It’s happening to them. It brings it right home.’’

OTHERS DOING WELL

The years have been good to some former Mets. Ron Swoboda, who lived in Syosset for many years, will turn 74 in June. He said he is in good health but wonders what became of the person who made that spectacular diving catch of Brooks Robinson’s line drive in Game 4 of the 1969 World Series.

“I look at that guy making that catch and go, ‘Well, how the hell did he do that?’ It does seem like another guy,’’ he said. “My running looks a lot like walking now. Now, all of a sudden, you’re 74 years old. You’re this fat old guy who can’t do anything anymore other than play golf.’’

Another avid golfer is Al Weis, a .219 lifetime hitter who batted .455 with a dramatic home run in the ’69 Series, Nearly 80, he lives in the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst, Illinois, and cares for his wife, Barbara, who is partially paralyzed after a stroke.

The Mets are planning to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1969 championship in 2019.

Twelve members of that team have died. Among them are manager Gil Hodges, coach Yogi Berra, World Series MVP Donn Clendenon, outfielder Tommie Agee, pitcher Tug McGraw and, 10 days ago, third baseman Ed Charles.

“I knew he wasn’t feeling well,’’ said Kranepool, who attended Charles’ funeral. “It happened very quickly.’’

Duffy Dyer, 72, a rookie catcher on the ’69 team, thought it was just the beginning of a dynasty. “I remember thinking this is pretty easy,’’ he said from Phoenix. “We’re going to win the Series three or four times. You think you’re invincible when you’re that age.’’