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All-time favorite non-Mets

metsguyinmichigan Sep 01 2009 10:17 AM

As requested! "Todd Helton is definitely on my all-time favorite non-Mets team. (New thread, anyone?) I drafted him first in the first fantasy baseball league I ever played in, many years ago, and he was on my team until last season." I like Curtis Granderson, a nice guy who does a lot to help schools.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 01 2009 10:26 AM

When I was a kid, I liked Willie Stargell, Johnny Bench, Bob Gibson, and Roberto Clemente.

Met Hunter Sep 01 2009 10:33 AM

It used to be Jeff Francoeur.

TransMonk Sep 01 2009 10:48 AM

I'm a sucker for career guys with one team, so: Todd Helton Jeff Bagwell Cal Ripken Tony Gwynn And Larry has grown on me over the years with all of his time in Atlanta.

Swan Swan H Sep 01 2009 11:02 AM

I liked Frank Howard when I was a kid - he just seemed so much larger than life. Later Dale Murphy was a guy I admired and always hoped the Mets would get.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 01 2009 11:11 AM

I liked Boog Powell. Kirby Puckett. Frank Robinson. George Brett.

Edgy DC Sep 01 2009 11:52 AM

MFS62 Sep 01 2009 12:12 PM

All-time fave: Frank Robinson Second tier: Ernie Banks Clemente Stargell Gibson Koufax Jim Palmer Mantle Ron Washington - I dunno. He was someone I always thought was destined to be a Met, but never was. Larry Walker Later

Centerfield Sep 01 2009 12:20 PM

[quote="Benjamin Grimm":3dcyiqyq]I liked Boog Powell. Kirby Puckett. Frank Robinson. George Brett.[/quote:3dcyiqyq] I like Puckett and Brett too. I wonder if we are biased by KC and Minnesota beating up the Cardinals in '85 and '87.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 01 2009 12:23 PM

Could be. I think I liked Brett because I was counting on his Royals to beat the Yankees in the ALCS just about every October from 1976 to 1981.

metsguyinmichigan Sep 01 2009 12:28 PM

I also liked Kelly Gruber of the Blue Jays. I sent him a letter once, and he sent back a personalized, autographed photo and about four signed cards. Keep in mind, all I sent was a letter. So I rooted for him after that, especially against the Yankees. Was kind of bummed when he got hurt and ended his career.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 01 2009 12:32 PM

Current: Granderson's up there. So is Panda Sandoval. As a pup: Eric Davis. Dale Murphy. Tim Raines. MFYness aside, Dave Winfield. Maybe most of all, RickeyBRickey.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 01 2009 12:34 PM

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":nq2fyy4q]Current: Granderson's up there. [/quote:nq2fyy4q] I misread that. Thought you said that your grandson was your favorite player. I thought, well, yeah, of course he would be!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 01 2009 12:40 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 01 2009 12:50 PM

I do remember really liking those '85 Royals a bunch-- especially Brett and Willie Wilson and Quisenberry-- even before Coleman-under-a-tarp and Denkinger's-gift-to-Orta. I think about half of the reason I liked Quisenberry was because of the submarining delivery, with the other half being split between his mustache and that his name sounded like "Frankenberry." (I was seven, not brain damaged.)

soupcan Sep 01 2009 12:45 PM

Johnny Bench and Steve Garvey.

Edgy DC Sep 01 2009 12:50 PM

Garvey? Ouch.

metirish Sep 01 2009 12:54 PM

Rich Garses , what a fun guy to watch. Current players I like are Hanley Ramirez , great talent .

Farmer Ted Sep 01 2009 01:31 PM

I grew up a Craig Nettles fan oddly enough. Go ahead and flog me now!!

RealityChuck Sep 01 2009 01:48 PM

Carl Yastrzemski. Roger Maris (the star of the first year I followed baseball). Ty Cobb

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 01 2009 01:51 PM

[quote="metirish"]Rich Garses , what a fun guy to watch. Current players I like are Hanley Ramirez , great talent .

Fat n' good is usually a winning combination for my affections.

(See: Panda.)

Ashie62 Sep 01 2009 01:56 PM

Harmon Killebrew..remember the split he did playing first base in the all-star game in 67 in therabouts? That was hard-core

Valadius Sep 01 2009 02:06 PM

George Brett comes to mind, as I had a glove as a kid that was promoted by him.

Lundy Sep 01 2009 02:08 PM

George Brett tops my list, his 1980 baseball card was one of the first in my collection. I still have my George Brett-endorsed baseball glove. Johnny Bench was also a favorite, probably from watching "The Baseball Bunch" in my formative years. I've always liked John Smoltz. Dave Steib of the Jays too. Perennial Pirate relieve Kent Tekulve; perennial Reds reliever Tom Hume as well.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 01 2009 02:17 PM

I liked Rod Carew, the whole 1970s Pirates, Johnny Bench, Al Oliver, Reggie Smith, and whoever represented the NL in the All-Star Game and World Series. Later I liked Kirby Puckett, Tony Gwynn and Will Clark. These days I like Ichiro, Chipper Jones, Tulowitzski (even if he's a dumb jock), Lincecum, Granderson, Rollins... I used to like the Red Sox but pretty much hate them now. I want the Orioles to be good, and I'm hopping on LWFS's SF Giants bandwagon for this postseason.

G-Fafif Sep 01 2009 02:39 PM

Vladimir Guerrero, certainly more now than when he was an intradivision rival, but even then some. Chone Figgins, from a distance. Rod Carew, too. Aaron and Clemente held in awe that transcended uniform when I was a kid. Dale Murphy on that level later. Jeff Bagwell a little, or at least I didn't dislike him. Ditto for Tim Raines. Albert Pujols before October 2006. Chris Gomez, journeyman utility guy, when he was just starting out, because he answered a doubting and clueless Tigers fan (obvious he didn't know his own roster) at SkyDome with a base hit. Adored Vida Blue during his breakout season of 1971. And yes, Steve Garvey makes the cut despite his being Steve Garvey. Loved how he anchored a horrible defensive infield. Loved how he made the transition from third to first. Loved that he won the MVP when so many wanted to hand it to Brock. Love Roger Kahn's description of him in A Season in the Sun. Love that he beat the Cubs in the NLCS as a Padre. Love the comparison between the American flag and a taco in explaining the difference between the two uniforms he wore. Loved that he idolized Gil Hodges. Love that his dad drove a bus in Vero Beach for the home team. Love that he wore a Brooklyn Dodgers t-shirt under his jersey the day the Dodgers clinched against the Expos (something I didn't know 'til seeing it on MLBN recently, but still.)

metirish Sep 01 2009 02:43 PM

JCL reminds me of the young pitcher I like to watch but hardly ever see.....Lincecum Ryan Howard is OK in my book Kershaw.....love watching him

metsmarathon Sep 01 2009 06:39 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

griffey, then. pujols now.

seawolf17 Sep 01 2009 07:04 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Well, since I started this, I should probably contribute. Besides Helton: Darrell Porter (I wore big glasses as a kid too) Jim Rice (I discovered that we share a birthday when I was a kid, and he's been a favorite ever since) Ryne Sandberg Ozzie Smith Dave Righetti (before I learned my dislike of the Yankees) Craig Biggio (coached at my baseball camp as a kid) Currently: Helton, Ryan Freel & Juan Encarnacion (I guess Encarnacion is technically retired now due to his injury)

Fman99 Sep 01 2009 07:26 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

I can't think of any. Is that wrong?

seawolf17 Sep 01 2009 07:28 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Oh, and I've always enjoyed guys with funky pitching motions, especially sidewinding guys like Quisenberry and Tekulve. (Guys like Terry Leach, Jeff Innis, and Chad Bradford would be in that group, except for the Mets connection.)

cooby Sep 01 2009 07:30 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Mine is Tony Pena. I named my son after him

Edgy DC Sep 01 2009 08:08 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

I hate Helton. And all you Helton fans? Hate you. Hate.

MFS62 Sep 01 2009 09:18 PM Re:

[quote="Farmer Ted":865tqzeq]I grew up a Craig Nettles fan oddly enough. Go ahead and flog me now!![/quote:865tqzeq] Flogging is too good for you. Later

dgwphotography Sep 02 2009 06:53 AM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Rod Carew Tony Gwynn Johnny Bench Mike Schmidt

metirish Sep 02 2009 07:04 AM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

I anxiously await for Rogers favourite non Mets

HahnSolo Sep 02 2009 08:45 AM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Maybe because he looked funny and ran funny, but I always had a soft spot for Ron Cey.

metirish Sep 02 2009 09:06 AM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Ralph Kiner

soupcan Sep 02 2009 01:52 PM Re:

[quote="Edgy DC":2g1m2rip]Garvey? Ouch.[/quote:2g1m2rip] Yeah - I spent a lot of time in L.A. as a kid and also did 2 years of high school out there. Was a fan of those late '70s Dodger teams. Liked 'em all really but Garvey stood out. Also when I was in high school (North Hollywood High) I ran in the 'Steve Garvey 10K'. He was at the finish line and high fived everybody that crossed the finish line. Got an autographed t-shirt with his likeness on it.

Frayed Knot Sep 02 2009 02:17 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Was it really his likeness or one of the Bob's Big Boy statue? ... because they're really kind of the same you know.

Rockin' Doc Sep 02 2009 05:41 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

[quote="cooby":12o9r3j4]Mine is Tony Pena. I named my son after him[/quote:12o9r3j4] I always thought you were a big Carlos Baerga fan.

MFS62 Sep 02 2009 05:45 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

[quote="Rockin' Doc":hgqllykm][quote="cooby":hgqllykm]Mine is Tony Pena. I named my son after him[/quote:hgqllykm] I always thought you were a big Carlos Baerga fan.[/quote:hgqllykm] Stop trying to be logical. Later

Rockin' Doc Sep 02 2009 05:58 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

During my childhood, when I looked up to baseball players as my heroes, it was Willie Mays and Brooks Robinson that loomed large. Over the years I matured and realized that my true heros were my parents, but I always pulled for Kirby Puckett, Tony Gwynn, Nolan Ryan, Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank White.

themetfairy Sep 02 2009 06:21 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Um, Carlos Baerga is not a non-Met.

The Second Spitter Sep 02 2009 07:11 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

All-time: Will Clark, Joe Carter, Cal Ripken Jr, Andre Dawson, Barry Bonds, Kirby Puckett. Active: Ken Griffey Jr, Vlad Guerrero, Nick Markakis.

themetfairy Sep 02 2009 07:25 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

3D! How have you been, Man?

The Second Spitter Sep 02 2009 07:44 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Still on holidays, believe or not. I haven't had access to my laptop for the last month and posting from an iPhone is no fun.

PiggiesTomatoes Sep 02 2009 08:56 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Only saw him later in his career but Yaz was my favorite non-Met growing up. I've also been very fond of Tony Perez and Carlton Fisk. I still have no issue with Mark McGuire (they were supplements, damnit!).

Rockin' Doc Sep 02 2009 09:34 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

[quote="themetfairy"]Um, Carlos Baerga is not a non-Met.

True, but he should have been.*



*Sorry cooby.

Frayed Knot Sep 03 2009 07:22 AM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

[quote="PiggiesTomatoes"]Only saw him later in his career but Yaz was my favorite non-Met growing up. I've also been very fond of Tony Perez and Carlton Fisk. I still have no issue with Mark McGuire (they were supplements, damnit!).

You mean the supplements he was taking in addition to the hard-core 'roids? Yeah, they were just supplements.

attgig Sep 03 2009 09:36 AM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

living in baltimore, I'm really loving all the YOUNG o's. Markakis, Jones, Reimold, Weiters, Pie, Guthrie, and am waiting for the younger pitchers to start making their mark. Also, Brian Roberts is another guy that i like Other current non-mets i like, pujols, bartlett, Choo, vlad. other past non-mets i've rooted for... schilling, puckett, van slyke, sax, venezuela

Edgy DC Sep 03 2009 10:00 AM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Are you rooting for Schilling for Senate?

MFS62 Sep 03 2009 12:24 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Yikes! I forgot to list two of my Upper Manhattan homeys - Manny and Carew. Later

Chad Ochoseis Sep 03 2009 12:41 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Mark Fidrych. Wasn't he everyone's favorite non-Met in 1976? Also Freddie Patek, because I'm short, too.

metirish Sep 03 2009 01:08 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

[quote="Edgy DC":3gtc7utd]Are you rooting for Schilling for Senate?[/quote:3gtc7utd] Not one but surprising that he is thinking about running for Kennedy's seat......I'm pretty sure I liked Schilling at one point but can't remember when or why

Edgy DC Sep 03 2009 01:14 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Perhaps because he started and won the Game Seven that ended the Yankees' run forever.

metirish Sep 03 2009 01:16 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

[quote="Edgy DC":1zysrfbu]Perhaps because he started and won the Game Seven that ended the Yankees' run forever.[/quote:1zysrfbu] yes of course , that is it.

Edgy DC Sep 03 2009 01:25 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

I take it back. He started, but the Diamondbacks won (and, more importantly the Yankees lost), in the ninth, with Johnson pitching.

Edgy DC Sep 03 2009 01:28 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

Best thing about that game is that it featured four of the best pitchers of the generation (Clemens, Rivera, Schilling, and Johnson) in a game seven, plus two pitchers who are on nobody's list of the best pitchers of the generation, but are simply the most inescapable pitchers of the generation --- Miguel Batista and Mike Stanton.

TheOldMole Sep 03 2009 01:35 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

This is my new all-time favorite non-Met. From Poetry Magazine: Para Rumbiar Robert Creeley in the outfield. by Fernando Perez I write from Caracas, the murder capital of the world, where I’ve been employed by the Leones to score runs and prevent balls from falling in the outfield. At the ankles of the Ávila Mountain amongst a patch of dusky high-rises, the downtown grounds of el Estadio Universitario packed beyond capacity are ripe for a full-bodied poem. A mere pitching change is an occasion “para rumbiar,” and the purse-lipped riot squad is always on the move with their spanking machetes swinging from their hips. The game isn’t paced necessarily by innings or score. It’s marked by the pulsating bass drums of the samba band that trail bright, scantily-clad, head-dressed goddesses strutting about the mezzanine. The young fireworks crew stand mere feet from flares that don’t always set out vertically, sometimes landing in the outfield still aflame. “The wave” includes heaving drinks into the sky. In earning my stripes as a professional baseball player I’ve been through many cities and have stared out of hotel windows all over the Americas. Ball players are mercenaries, taking assignments indiscriminately. Throughout the minor leagues you’ll find yourself slouched on a bus, watching small towns roll by matter-of-factly like stock market tickers, on your back in a new nondescript room, or “shopping for images” (Allen Ginsberg) in a Wal-Mart, hunched over a cart in no rush. Like poetry, baseball is a kind of counter culture. The (optional) isolation from the outside world (which I often opt for); the idleness about which—and out of which—so many poems are written or sung: I see this state of mind as a blessing. Sometimes, in fact, when I haven’t turned on a television or touched a newspaper for months, freed from the corporate bombast, poetry is the only dialect I recognize. Long ago Robert Creeley confirmed my suspicion that words strung even sparingly together can be as aurally powerful as anything else we have. He has been my most important poet, because I can take him anywhere, like oranges—even reduced to nothing in both physical and mental exhaustion, nauseous and half asleep bussing from a red-eye. One of my first managers always preached separation from the game for the sake of our own health, and for the sake of our performance. The game can be maddening, and we ought to corner ourselves in this trade only so far. I’m in love with baseball, but eventually my prime will end, and she’ll slowly break my heart. Baseball has remained remarkably impervious to modernity, but is, like any modern industry, highly alienating. I turn to poetry because it is less susceptible to circumstance. I’m not especially touched when a poet deals with a ball game; I’m not especially interested in having one world endear itself to the other. Right now I need them apart, right now I’m after displacement, contrast. The thick wilderness of, say, late Ashbery can wrangle with the narrowness of competition.

themetfairy Sep 03 2009 02:44 PM Re: All-time favorite non-Mets

[quote="Mendoza Line":13ft9lbj]Mark Fidrych. Wasn't he everyone's favorite non-Met in 1976? Also Freddie Patek, because I'm short, too.[/quote:13ft9lbj] I did love Fidrych. And Patek, for the same reason.