Mets legend Ed Kranepool was a 17-year-old phenom when he signed halfway through the Mets infamous inaugural season. He played only three games that record-setting year and is much better recalled as a Miracle Met. But its 62 years later, and he cares enough that he wouldnt mind the 2024 White Sox . Let them have it. Its not a record Im proud of, Kranepool told The Post. Kranepool, now 79, signed as a bonus baby out of The Bronxs James Monroe High in late June, took his first plane ride to Los Angeles and saw Sandy Koufax no-hit the Mets that day. Things went downhill from there. The White Sox are on pace to lose 123 games this season. AP It was a tremendous experience for me. But it was nothing I really enjoyed, Kranepool said. The nine living 1962 Mets have witne sed teams occasionally Los Angeles Dodgers Jersey threaten their unwanted record, but the 2024 White Sox, having already and on pace to lose 123, provide the most serious hope in decades that our bumbling and beloved 62 Mets will no longer carry the mantle of historys worst team. Surprisingly, two of Kranepools 1962 teammates say they arent cheering on Chicagos daily defeats. More From Jon Heyman Im not going to pull for the White Sox to break our record, but Ill be watching, said former Mets pitcher Craig Anderson, who went 3-17 in 1962. Its going to happen sometime. Anderson is a lively 86 and an easygoing sort who felt sympathy when Anthony Young broke his personal Mets record of 19 straight pitching defeats. Anderson recalls the 40-120 season fondly, crediting veteran players drafted to boost interest and attendance, and especially Casey Stengel. We all hated to lose, Anderson recalled. We had a bunch of pro guys to steady things. And Casey Stengel every day win or lose and usually it was lose all the writers would go to him, and he took a lot of pre sure off. Team portrait of the 1962 New York Mets. Getty Images Manager Casey Stengel and winning pitcher Jay Hook after the Mets get their first victory as a franchise. Bettmann Archive Jay Hook, who registered the first Mets victory (it came after nine defeats), went 8-19 in 1962 and is best recalled as a brilliant academician who famously explained why a curveball curves, has similarly fond recollections. We really thought we were going to win tomorrow. We were never defeated, said Hook, a very young 87. The fans were so fantastic in New York that we hated to lose so many games. Nicky Lopez #8 of the Chicago White Sox reacts as he flies out to end the top of the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians. Getty Images Hook, a man of science, suggested its in fates hands. Im sorry the White Sox are losing so many games, he said. But if its inevitable, its inevitable. But as for whether hes hoping for these Sox to take the title of worst team ever, Hook couldnt quite get there. He said, I wouldnt wish that on anybody. Chris Taylor Jersey