Former Mets owner Nelson Doubleday Jr. has died

Former Mets owner Nelson Doubleday Jr. has died at the age of 81. Doubleday bought the Mets as majority owner after the 1980 season, partnering with Fred Wilpon to buy the team from the family of former Mets owner Joan Payson.

Under Doubleday's ownership, the Mets were rebuilt and went on to win the World Series in 1986. They were a very good team for most of the mid-to-late 1980s, too, though the '86 season was clearly the pinnacle of that era. Doubleday remained an owner of the Mets until Wilpon bought him out in 2002.

With a reputation as hands-off owner, Doubleday seems to have been well-respected by those who worked or played for the Mets while he was the team's owner. Following the Mets' game in Toronto on Wednesday night, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling spoke about Doubleday emotionally, clearly affected by the news of his death.

Our thoughts here at Amazin' Avenue are with Doubleday's family.