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'86 Mets 30th Anniversary

batmagadanleadoff May 29 2016 06:13 PM

Click on link below to view last night's Citi Field ceremonies honoring the '86 Mets -- which should have been televised. (link provided by FAFIF blog) What? No George Foster? http://m.mets.mlb.com/nym/video/topic/8 ... e-the-game

Edgy MD May 29 2016 09:46 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

Thoughts on the Ceremony [list][*]Howie seemed to have a shake in his left arm as he adjusted his earpiece. He's got such a robust voice, you don't appreciate how long he's been at it. [/*:m] [*]“Every championship team kneels a field Jenner.” [/*:m] [*]Bud Harrelson seemed to have had some health problems in recent years we may not have heard about, but all things considered, Ed Hearn looked terrific. [/*:m] [*]I’m not sure when I became older than Tim Teufel. [/*:m] [*]I’m pretty sure that was Joe Petrucchio in Randy Niemann’s uniform. [/*:m] [*]Dwight Gooden went 12-6? You’re robbing him of six victories, there, Howie. He's never going to get into the Hall of Fame that way. [/*:m] [*]I'm not sure when Wally Backman got older than Davey Johnson. [/*:m] [*]Strange that Gary’s son represented him, but not either of his daughters. Kimmy always seemed to take the role of stewardess of his legacy. [/*:m] [*]Aguilera looks a little bit like George Lucas and a little bit like the Most Interesting Man in the World. Looks a little like my coke dealer, too. [/*:m] [*]Danny Heep has a gay uncle thing happening. Looks like he stays fit and enjoys life. [/*:m] [*]Kevin Mitchell looks like a truck hit him. Pretty heroic of him to make that walk. Sure looked like a struggle for him. [/*:m] [*]My numerologically innocent wife laughed at the cliché-ness of “Number one in uniform and number one in your hearts” and then stopped suddenly and said, “Well, that’s TRUE,” when she realized he was talking about Mookie Wilson. [/*:m] [*]Sid has a delicately controlled proud/angry look in his face, like a pastry chef with EXTREMELY high standards for his staff. [/*:m] [*]Knight had a cool Bill Clinton lip-biting thing going. [/*:m] [*]No way is Orosco’s hair still that lustrous. If so, I want to know his secret. [/*:m] [*]Last time they did this, Keith was invited to speak, and he absolutely prepared nothing in the way of remarks. He ad-libbed like a kid who didn't do his book report for a few lines, and then decided to throw the mic to Mookie, who was even less prepared. Did nobody speak on behalf of the team this time?[/*:m][/list:u]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 30 2016 02:23 AM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

Mitch's unsteady gait was likely related to somewhat recent spinal surgery. Weird about Imperious Pastry Jefe Sid, though, considering how he floated through his career with the air of a perpetually-high line cook.

Zvon May 30 2016 02:25 AM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Mitch's unsteady gait was likely related to somewhat recent spinal surgery. Weird about Imperious Pastry Jefe Sid, though, considering how he floated through his career with the air of a perpetually-high line cook. I thought Gooden looked healthy last year, although a little skinny. He looked a bit gaunt this time out. I hope all is okay w/ the Doc. Probably just getting old.

G-Fafif May 30 2016 11:42 AM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

Saw a bunch of these guys up close in the pregame media session; some ducked their heads in and retreated, but most stuck around. Mitch needed a chair after the walk down the hall from the clubhouse to the Shannon Forde Press Conference Room as it's now officially christened, so I was surprised they made him walk all the way down the red carpet. Doc has aged a great deal since the last time I was in proximity to him, which was three years ago. Davey has aged like a regular person ages; quite the garrulous retiree. The Knight-Clinton comparison is apt -- he also attracted Clintonian coverage. Jesse was the most generous with his time, which I found interesting in that in The Worst Team Money Could Buy he was identified as one of the all-time clubhouse "bad guys" of his era, mainly for reading what reporters were writing in their notebooks as he was speaking to them. I was tempted to replicate the move described in the book and scrawl "Go Fuck Yourself, Jesse," but it didn't appear he was doing that anymore. Keith exuded camaraderie with old faces during his brief appearance. Darling, when approached, gave off the vibe that he was tired of meeting people (though he was a fine two-minute interview). Mookie beamed like no "hood ornament" ever did. Ed Hearn is still everyman. Wally wouldn't have minded a cigarette, I'm sure. Bill Robinson's son is a tall drink of water. Darryl was in no rush to exit; he and Orosco were the last two Jay was waiting on for whatever logistical step came next. Marty Noble was effortlessly everybody's old pal. The players he covered were thrilled to see him and they were exchanging phone numbers and email addresses with him (I overheard him say he is out of a job; mlb.com hasn't published a column of his since just before Opening Night). Ed Randall was buttonholing players with apparent success; I heard a couple of them on his show the next morning. Sal Marchiano was spotted. Old Timers Night for press, too. Oh, and for all the professional demeanor I muster in these situations, it was unbelievably awesome that this was going on around me. Why yes, self from 30 years ago, some day you and Doc will be talking hitting. Yeah, sure. Standing next to any of them, they're just people, albeit people you knew had accomplished something that was extraordinary. When the time came for their formal introductions, though, I ignored the credential dangling from my neck and used the upstairs ticket I bought in case my media request fell through. I couldn't think of a better place to watch the 1986 Mets. It was (give or take a stadium) where I watched the 1986 Mets. I couldn't think of a worse place than the press box. "No cheering" there, as you know. What's the point of going to see these guys if you can't do that? "Twelve and six" for Doc bothered me, too. For the record, he won seventeen games in 1986 and it was such a letdown. Geez.

Frayed Knot May 30 2016 12:24 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

Edgy MD wrote: Howie seemed to have a shake in his left arm as he adjusted his earpiece. He's got such a robust voice, you don't appreciate how long he's been at it. It's just recently been announced that Howie is leaving his Islanders gig. Doesn't sound like it was a push-out but rather his choice to simply cut back. And of course the win-win in that is fewer missed April Met games. Mitch's unsteady gait was likely related to somewhat recent spinal surgery. It is. He's been on the wheelchair to walker to cane to the current limp line of progression, all of which must suck although it certainly beats the other way around. - Gooden's gauntness was apparent during his FOX drop-in inning as well. - Someone needs to tell Lenny that the jersey tucked into the dress pants look doesn't cut it.

Edgy MD May 30 2016 01:12 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

Yeah, I know about Mitch from his visit to the Mets' booth a few weeks ago in San Diego, which is a big part of why it seemed heroic to see him take that long walk unaided. Lenny's belted gut was almost too easy an observation to make. Nonetheless, my wife and I made it, even if I didn't type it. MIA included [list][*]Roger McDowell, who probably couldn't call in sick to the Braves, lest a missed day on the job undermine their 2016 pennant hopes. Somehow, he doesn't have the juice to ask for a blow from Brian Snitker.[/*:m] [*]Doug Sisk, who couldn't miss an important date in the wine-selling game.[/*:m] [*]Mel Stottlemyer or a representative.[/*:m][/list:u] Great gravy on top from Greg. What an adventure!

batmagadanleadoff May 30 2016 03:14 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

MIA included [list][*]Roger McDowell, who probably couldn't call in sick to the Braves, lest a missed day on the job undermine their 2016 pennant hopes. Somehow, he doesn't have the juice to ask for a blow from Brian Snitker.[/*:m] [*]Doug Sisk, who couldn't miss an important date in the wine-selling game.[/*:m] [*]Mel Stottlemyer or a representative.[/*:m][/list:u] Dave Magadan - DBack hitting coach Kevin Elster - too sick to attend, I read somewhere George Foster - persona non grata? Ed Lynch Terry Leach John Gibbons - Blue Jays manager Berenyi, Jefferson, Anderson, Mitchell, Corcoran

Edgy MD May 30 2016 03:27 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

I figured the non-World Series-roster folks weren't include as a matter of course. I don't think any of them participated in the ceremony 10 years ago either. That Sisk thing is weird. If he's working in sales, you'd figure they cut him loose so he could do some interviews and work the brand's name into his answers. It's the reason you hire former jocks for sales jobs.

batmagadanleadoff May 30 2016 03:35 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

Edgy MD wrote: I figured the non-World Series-roster folks weren't include as a matter of course. I don't think any of them participated in the ceremony 10 years ago either. Good point.

G-Fafif May 30 2016 05:28 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

I think Barry Lyons got an invite in 2006 in deference to his having gone through Katrina (could be imagining that angle, though). Lenny asked on Twitter if he should tuck in again, like he did at Shea Goodbye. Apparently he took sartorial grief over that and decided to make it another trademark.

SteveJRogers May 30 2016 06:43 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

batmagadanleadoff wrote: George Foster - persona non grata? Foster was at Shea Goodbye in 2008.

themetfairy May 30 2016 08:27 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

G-Fafif wrote: Lenny asked on Twitter if he should tuck in again, like he did at Shea Goodbye. Apparently he took sartorial grief over that and decided to make it another trademark. The racing stripes made it look like he was holding up his old man pants with suspenders.

cooby Jun 05 2016 05:14 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

It is a thing of beauty to see Darryl Strawberry walk out there after all he's been through. Sid Fernandez is still a beautiful man. Loved him then, love him now Thanks for posting this!

seawolf17 Jul 22 2016 02:51 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

If you're not following @TodayIn86Mets on Twitter, today's a good day to start. https://twitter.com/TodayIn86Mets/statu ... 2611771392

Edgy MD Jul 22 2016 03:00 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

Got five hours to kill? Neither do I, but I sure did 30 years ago. [youtube:2n1cn5l7]dljM3PyIiXI[/youtube:2n1cn5l7]

G-Fafif Jul 22 2016 03:13 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

Helluva game to have experienced live.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 22 2016 03:29 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

Marty Noble told me about that game: http://www.mbtn.net/?p=855 We came in to the clubhouse afterward and Wally was there and said, “Come here, write this down.” And he motherfucked George Foster for an hour! "That motherfucker wouldn’t fight. Danny Heep was out there fighting in his underwear, and George is on the bench. Fuck him. Write it! And say I said it!" And I did.

G-Fafif Jul 22 2016 03:33 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

One of the great interviews about interviewing ever.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 22 2016 04:18 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

Franco looks like a grade-schooler in that video, and makes no pretense of hiding his disgust when Parker drops Hernandez' fly. Oh, and great DP by Hernandez-Carter. I dunno what happens if the bunt doesn;t go exactly where Keith plays it. Unbelievably aggressive!

Edgy MD Jul 22 2016 04:28 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

Marty Noble told me about that game: http://www.mbtn.net/?p=855 We came in to the clubhouse afterward and Wally was there and said, “Come here, write this down.” And he motherfucked George Foster for an hour! "That motherfucker wouldn’t fight. Danny Heep was out there fighting in his underwear, and George is on the bench. Fuck him. Write it! And say I said it!" And I did. I've never been able to picture John Milner without his mothy old bathrobe since reading that interview. I also still want to pin down Strawberry on whether Kelvin Chapman was a better basketball player than him.

cooby Jul 22 2016 05:31 PM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary

How could he forget Tommie Agee? What a pretender

Zvon Aug 20 2016 02:38 AM Re: '86 Mets 30th Anniversary