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Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

G-Fafif Jan 08 2022 09:44 AM

Ellis Valentine not nostalgic for his Shea stay. The tension that ended the 1980 season was still there in 1981 and when Valentine got off to a slow start, the Expos traded him to the Mets on May 29, a day short of a year since he was he hit by the pitch. Montreal got a closer in Jeff Reardon and throw-in Dan Norman, who had come to New York from Cincinnati in the Tom Seaver deal four years earlier. Valentine was hitting .211 with 15 RBIs at the time of the trade. “The team [Montreal] had gotten to a point where we could manufacture runs at any given time,” Valentine said. “We could drive in runs; steal some bases and we could score some. The problem was we couldn't hold it and that's why they traded me for Jeff Reardon. And he shined. The table was set, he just had to keep the ball in the ballpark. But they had to get rid of me and Jeff went to New York because they had Neil Allen at the time. “I don't think Montreal would have ever traded me if didn't get hit. I put up numbers for Montreal for years and defensive numbers for years. I would drive in 70 and look at defensive play, I probably saved that many runs, too. Those numbers you never see. They would not have traded, they had no reason to. But they feared I would leave or never regain my playing ability so they had to get something from me as soon as they could. Unbeknownst to them, I never would have left Montreal. I would take pay cuts to stay there, that's how much I loved it.” Valentine, who was on the disabled list with a pulled hamstring at the time of the trade, did not love New York and New York came to not love Valentine. His miserable season continued after the trade, where he hit .207 with five homers and 21 RBIs in 48 games during the strike-shortened season. “My year and a half in New York was a struggle,” Valentine said. “I had just gotten off the injury in Montreal, it was pretty severe and I was still trying to come back. I had the same symptoms and [concussion] protocols that football players exhibit. That happened in 1980 so we're talking '81, '82 and '83. I had lost all peripheral vision in those years. That's why it was so hard to hang in there on curves from right-handed pitchers. “What I had before getting hit I didn't have anymore. Righty to righty was like looking down a tunnel. There was a gap there when certain curves and other pitches were thrown and I couldn't see it so I would freeze first instead of reacting. By the time I was able to react my career had changed and I had no real control over that. It took a while for me to regain that and manage it.” New York manager George Bamberger didn't seem to know what he could have had in Valentine and wound up platooning him with Joel Youngblood, another right-handed hitter who was largely a journeyman backup throughout his career, in right. Valentine hit .288 with eight homers and 48 RBIs in 111 games in 1982. Youngblood was traded to Montreal that August. “They were platooning me with Joel Youngblood against lefties,” Valentine said. “When I left Montreal, I was a starter. When I came to New York, I wasn't starting anymore. I was trying to come back from that injury and the next thing you know I'm real frustrated with the team and they are doing things. I had a rough time there. It was finally over and I moved on but I had hoped for better things in New York but they never gave me the opportunity.” https://ballnine.com/2022/01/07/valentines-days/

Edgy MD Jan 08 2022 02:07 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Ellis' issues finding his stroke again were no doubt real and injury-related. Nonetheless, he's making multiple arguments at once about the hand he was dealt. Phun Phact: In an otherwise perfectly cromulent season as a 1982 Met, he somehow walked only five times in 350 trips to the plate, or once ever 70 appearances. His isolated OBP was .006.

G-Fafif Jan 08 2022 04:16 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Four Original Mets — Craig Anderson, Jay Hook, Joe Christopher, Frank Thomas — get together over Zoom. And that crazy season gave the men who played it a lifetime of memories, as well as something nobody else can say: “We get to be called ‘Original Mets,'” said Anderson, who is now 83. Added outfielder Joe Christopher, 86: “It was one of the honors of my life to be an Original Met.” The Mets are celebrating 60 years of baseball in 2022 — they're already using a 60th Anniversary logo on the club's Twitter account. The Mets are reviving their Old Timers Day and, pandemic-permitting, hope to have members of the 1962 team appear at Citi Field. Hook, Anderson, Christopher and slugger Frank Thomas will be guests on an upcoming episode of The Amazin' Alumni Podcast, hosted by Jay Horwitz, the club's VP of Alumni Media Relations. Oddly enough, that woeful season started with optimism. Thomas and Hook had scanned the roster, which included notable names such as Gil Hodges and Richie Ashburn, with hope. Thomas, who is now 92, thought the club could hit. He was at least right about himself — he hit 34 homers and drove in 94 runs and Ashburn, who batted .306. “And, of course, Casey,” the 85-year-old Hook added. “That was a big deal.” […] “I learned a lot from Casey about salesmanship, taking care of your customers, that I used for years after that,” said Hook, who went on to a long career in business. “After every game, he'd call those writers into his office, get them a Coke or a beer and tell them stories. “He knew the way to get to the fans was through the sportswriters. And he did a wonderful job bringing fans along. We were the worst team in baseball, yet they really supported us.” “They never quit on us,” Anderson added. “I've never forgotten that. They were so happy to be there, they weren't as worried about our wins and losses as they would be today.” […] Christopher, Thomas, Anderson and Hook all say they still get fan mail. “I get anywhere from 20-30 letters per week from New York fans,” Thomas said. “I've been out of baseball for 55 years. Beautiful letters. It's a treat for me.” https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-original-mets-remember-1962-20220108-o3dhoadn7bdghjagcg5mp5zkx4-story.html

G-Fafif Jan 16 2022 09:23 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Royce Ring brings his wisdom across the Pacific. [tweet]https://twitter.com/jeeho_1/status/1482900738078814208[/tweet]

G-Fafif Jan 25 2022 09:37 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Step right up and greet a couple of Originals Mets, via Newsday for now and Old Timers Day in August (reportedly). As soon as this week, the Mets plan to announce the return of Old-Timers' Day for a late August date, according to a source. It's the 60th anniversary of the franchise. The Mets were born as an expansion team in 1962 and that club went 40-120, still the most losses in modern baseball history. The Mets under owner Steve Cohen plan to honor every era of their history this season. Assuming the lockout ends and the pandemic abates, Old-Timers' Day will be back for the first time since 1994. To honor the past, you have to start at the beginning, and that means the Original Mets from 1962. The losingest team ever assembled holds a special place in the hearts of the men who played on it and the fans who supported it. "Even to this day, I still get autograph requests," former catcher Hobie Landrith, 91, said on Friday from his home in Sunnyvale, California. […] "They sure did come out," former slugging outfielder Frank Thomas, 92, said Friday from his Pittsburgh home. "They went out there whether we won or lost because New York was back in the National League again to play baseball." […] Landrith said he was "very disappointed" when he learned he had been selected from the San Francisco Giants. "I wanted to stay with the Giants," he said. "But it turned out well. I enjoyed my time in New York." […] Asked 60 years later how he felt about being traded to an expansion club, Thomas said: "Things like that happen in baseball. You accept what it is. It was a great era in baseball. It was a great experience for me being in a big city." Thomas hit a team-best 34 home runs in 1962, good for sixth in the NL, and drove in 94 runs. Seventeen of the 45 men who played on the 1962 club are still around and will be invited to Old-Timers' Day. The festivities will include an Old-Timers' game. Asked if he plans to attend, Thomas said: "Oh, yeah. I won't be able to play, though. I could bunt." Article (paywalled): https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/1962-mets-old-timers-day-1.50485073

G-Fafif Jan 25 2022 09:41 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Buck, from yesterday's Zoomer, approves of this thread. "There's a storied past here. Sometimes, we need a reminder of some of that. I love to make sure the players understand that they're carrying a torch, not just for fans, but a lot of people who played before them.”

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2022 09:47 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Frank Thomas came to visit us in 2005, when he was promoting his self-published book: Questions for Frank Thomas In looking for that thread, I discovered that the rock group Yo La Tengo referenced it on their own website in 2012: http://yolatengo.com/july-29-2012/ Apparently, the band was looking to identify the specific game in which the legendary "yo la tengo" collision took place.

Edgy MD Jan 25 2022 10:01 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Well, that's our new highest achievement.

Fman99 Jan 25 2022 10:49 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

It's really great that Frank Thomas would face the serious inquiries from someone named Johnny Dickshot lol God bless the Internet. This is awesome though. I'd give anything to get a real life Met from any era in here to answer our stupid ass questions.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2022 10:51 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

We've had three celebrity visitors, although it's been quite a while. Frank Thomas, Joe Christopher, and Steve Zabriskie.

Willets Point Jan 25 2022 11:54 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I was never able to finish that Frank Thomas book. I mean, it wasn't that bad, just kind of repetitive.

A Boy Named Seo Jan 25 2022 12:25 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Sad news on Jeff Innis: [TWEET]https://twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/status/1486051460127281152[/TWEET]

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2022 12:35 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Jeff Innis, devoted father, son, brother and former New York Met, has been battling cancer since 2017. The cancer began rapidly spreading recently and his treatment, which he's currently receiving at Houston-MD Anderson hospital, is no longer viable. Keenan and Shannon are trying to air ambulance their dad home to Atlanta so he can spend his final days in hospice care with his family. We appreciate any support you can offer as we bring Jeff home to rest peacefully. Thank you.

Edgy MD Jan 25 2022 12:57 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

That's terrible. Innis is one of a kind.

The Hot Corner Jan 26 2022 08:50 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Cancer sucks!!! Thoughts and prayers to jeff and his loved ones.

G-Fafif Jan 29 2022 11:59 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Not the kind of stats that would typically place someone high on the list of even the most dedicated autograph-seekers. But at age 78, a half-century removed from the game, DiLauro still receives between 200 and 300 requests for his signature per year. The onslaught of balls, postcards, trading cards and other memorabilia arrive on an almost daily basis in the mail at his Lake Mohawk home. A handwritten letter last week began with: "Hello Mr. DiLauro, my name is Brady. I'm 15 and I like to collect autographs from great players like you ..." A typed letter from a man in Campbell, California, also from last week, opened with: "Dear Mr. DiLauro, Happy belated New Year to you!" DiLauro reads every one. He signs and returns everything. A nice visit with Jack DiLauro. https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2022/01/28/jack-dilauro-akron-autograph-requests-mail-amazin-miracle-new-york-mets-1969-world-series-mlb/6570864001/

G-Fafif Jan 29 2022 12:47 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Letters, old Mets get letters. I still get about ten letters a month sent to me with baseball cards in them asking for an autograph and a lot of them want me to put “first Mets win.” That's 60 years ago. There's no way that anybody would be remembering me if I hadn't done that. Sit (or set) a spell with Jay Hook. https://ballnine.com/2022/01/28/jay-hook-ii/

MFS62 Jan 29 2022 01:13 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Letters, old Mets get letters. I still get about ten letters a month sent to me with baseball cards in them asking for an autograph and a lot of them want me to put “first Mets win.” That's 60 years ago. There's no way that anybody would be remembering me if I hadn't done that. Sit (or set) a spell with Jay Hook. https://ballnine.com/2022/01/28/jay-hook-ii/ Nice article. I guess he used his engineering degree for Chrysler when he retired from baseball. How funny would it have been if a player from the 1962 Mets had gone to Ford and worked on the Edsel? (Yeah, I know, The Edsel was earlier. But we can't let facts stand in the way of what would have been a great punch line.) Later

seawolf17 Jan 30 2022 05:27 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

That DiLauro article made me smile. I still write those letters for my collection, although I've pretty much tapped out all the guys who are willing to sign through the mail at this point. It is admittedly frustrating to know that there are guys out there I'll never be able to add to the collection because they refuse to sign, but hey, it is what it is.

Edgy MD Jan 30 2022 08:35 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I imagine that, each time a member of a storied group like the 1969 team passes, it causes a small upsurge in solicitations to the surviving members, as collectors with dreams of completionism step up their games hoping to garner the rest of the roster while they are on the planet. I know specialization then was hardly what it is now, and DiLauro didn't see a whole lot of use in competitive situations, but as the second lefty out of the pen, had he put up that 1969 performance for, say, the 1999 Mets, he would be highly celebrated. And if you get a chance to manage the 1969 team in a computer simulation, and use him as something of a specialist, there's a good chance that he'll reward you.

seawolf17 Jan 30 2022 09:13 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

True. I realize I'm fortunate to be a collector of a team like the Mets with a comparably attainable completion level. And I also know that there's a likelihood that some percentage of the signatures I have aren't real, although I do what I can to minimize that risk. But still - guys like Kelvin Chapman and Dave Liddell just refuse to participate in the hobby, which is mildly irritating. I know checking guys like Gil Hodges and Danny Frisella off my list are going to be a heavy lift, but for the guys of my generation? Bleh.

Edgy MD Jan 30 2022 10:31 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Chappy appears to be attainable. If only just.

G-Fafif Feb 02 2022 05:35 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

The Mets: Not always the whitest kids u' know. [youtube]RcV8genml0s[/youtube]

Edgy MD Feb 02 2022 08:10 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Cool that they found a micro-second to include a shot of Willie Randolph as a player, in addition to coming back to him later as a manager. The b/w shot of Lance Johnson is terrific. If I've seen that before, I sure didn't appreciate it. It looks like something out of LIFE.

seawolf17 Feb 03 2022 06:13 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I mean, it's kinda shitty not to be able to include Dom and Stro in there, but that was cool.

Edgy MD Feb 03 2022 11:45 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

So, can anybody reel off each inclusion and who got overlooked? It's mostly in chronological order, but there are also some odd exceptions, like Ed Charles coming after John Milner (and coming in a hard-to-spot wide-angle shot), just to cross you up. They seemingly jump right from Willie Mays to Hubie and Mookie, but I don't see seem to pick up any Lenny Randle/Leo Foster/Elliot Maddox/Ray Burris-era action. I certainly may have missed some.

batmagadanleadoff Feb 03 2022 12:01 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I can if I wanted to. But where the hell is Stevie "Wonder" Hendu?

Edgy MD Feb 03 2022 12:28 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Yeah, I'm bitching about Leo Foster, while Steve Henderson is MIA. Looks like somebody in marketing and promotions has a grudge against the Torre-era Mets.

G-Fafif Feb 03 2022 12:58 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Steve Henderson was my gaping void, especially knowing his signature home run exists in clean footage featured in the Shea Goodbye documentary.

Johnny Lunchbucket Feb 03 2022 02:06 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Didn't see Ken Singleton or Tommy Davis or Lenny Randle neither

G-Fafif Feb 03 2022 03:20 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Carl Everett is an interesting editorial choice. Chills-generating grand slam, to be sure.

G-Fafif Feb 04 2022 08:11 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Mets alumni relations still not extending to Jim Gosger. Gosger played 10 games with New York between Sept. 7 and Oct. 1 that year. But he didn't appear in the National League Championship Series or the World Series, which the Mets won. "So at the end of the year I get a check in the mail from my World Series share," Gosger said. "A hundred dollars. I said, 'What is this? A hundred dollars and I'm there for five weeks?' " Disgusted, he signed the check and sent it back. He wanted the championship ring. "That's what irritated me," Gosger said. "The fact that I played there and never got the ring." He was traded to the San Francisco Giants in late 1969 but never played a game with them. The Expos bought his contract early in the 1970 season. He spent two years in Montreal and was traded back to New York after the 1971 campaign. Gosger played two more seasons with the Mets from 1973-74. New York won the National League pennant in 1973 before falling to the Oakland Athletics (his old team) in the World Series. Gosger was rewarded for his efforts this time and received the National League championship ring. He retired after the Mets released him following the 1974 season. But it wouldn't be his last brush with the club. In 2019, the organization welcomed back the 1969 team to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its championship. The Mets paid tribute to those on the team who had died. Gosger's name and photo appeared on the video board at Citi Field during that segment. "So then they have this reunion, and they declare me dead," Gosger said. "I'm thinking, 'What the hell is going on?' So I had a bunch of people on Facebook that contacted me and said, 'Jim, that's a mistake.' I said, 'I think so. I feel alive.' " He got a call from the Mets later that night. A representative apologized and tried to explain the mishap. Gosger hung up. "I said, 'I don't want to talk to you.' " He eventually called the Mets and told them he'd like to purchase the ring. They estimated that it would cost around $5,000. That was the end of that conversation. His friends even sent the team a petition with 600 signatures in an effort to get the ring. "Nothing has ever come of it," Gosger said. https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/sports/2022/02/02/port-huron-native-jim-gosger-reflects-unique-mlb-career/9251636002

Edgy MD Feb 04 2022 08:54 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

That sounds like some mighty ruffled feathers. Get one of the ambassadors on that. And for God's sake, put a ring on that man.

Edgy MD Feb 07 2022 12:47 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

José Bautista and his inky, inky beard totally eat it on the field of honor that is the backyard wiffleball field. The 13-year-old pitcher pantsing him goes by the name of "Doodoo Biscuit." [YOUTUBE]1H3D12bS1FI[/YOUTUBE]

Willets Point Feb 11 2022 10:00 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Lenny Dykstra is in the midst of an extended Twitter beef with adult contemporary singer/songwriter Richard Marx. Who needs the hot stove?

G-Fafif Feb 15 2022 07:31 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Ken MacKenzie posted the Mets' only winning record in 1962 and, as demonstrated in the Hartford Courant, still knows the strike zone. The magazine was slipped across the kitchen table. Ken MacKenzie picked it up and stared at it smiling and chuckling. “We thought he was an old man,” MacKenzie said as craggy Casey Stengel stared back from the cover of the Sports Illustrated dated March 5, 1962. “Casey knew what was going on. There were no flies on Casey.” Great visit with an Original Met who plans on joining us for Old Timers Day. https://www.courant.com/sports/hc-sp-amore-column-mlb-1962-mets-ken-mackenzie-20220215-20220215-t6hborsqczgf7kymf7zhwgfv3q-story.html

Frayed Knot Feb 15 2022 07:34 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

He's probably great-grand-father MacKenzie by now.

Edgy MD Feb 15 2022 07:49 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

He's old enough that his tenure with the Mets pre-dates that reference by three years.

Edgy MD Feb 19 2022 01:15 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Desi Brogna Relaford reflects on his career, his time with the Mets, and Mike Piazza's September 21, 2001 homerun. https://ballnine.com/2021/09/10/replay-desi-relaford/

G-Fafif Feb 22 2022 06:27 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

George Altman, a month from his 89th birthday, has gotten around, as Anthony Castrovince notes. Though this cannot be proven, it can be reasonably proposed that Altman, who turns 89 on March 20, played baseball in more organized leagues than anybody in history. The back of Altman's baseball card will show the 991 games he played for the Cubs, Cardinals and Mets from 1959-67. He hit .269 with 101 home runs and 403 RBIs and was selected as a National League All-Star three times (twice in 1961, when two games were held, and once in 1962). That's a very good career, worthy of remembrance. But what makes Altman truly special is all that surrounded those nine seasons in the NL. Altman is one of only 87 people to have played in both the Negro Leagues and the AL or NL. And he is one of only three people -- along with Don Newcombe and Larry Doby -- to have played in the Negro Leagues, AL/NL and Japan's NPB. Add in his collegiate experience at Tennessee A&I (the historically Black school that became Tennessee State), his time playing baseball in the Army and his time in the Panamanian and Cuban winter leagues, and Altman's baseball career is uniquely diverse. And what a career it was. Altman joined the legendary Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron in manning right field in one of those 1961 All-Star Games. He is one of only three players (along with Ernie Banks and Felipe Alou) to have homered off Sandy Koufax twice in the same game. He made a leaping catch in the ninth inning to preserve Don Cardwell's 1960 no-hitter. And in Japan, he played through a bout with colon cancer and had a double-digit home run total at the ripe old age of 42. https://www.mlb.com/news/george-altman-played-in-the-majors-negro-leagues-and-japan

G-Fafif Feb 24 2022 05:56 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

[youtube]Y-bqQfSU4ws[/youtube] Your newly RSVP'd Old-Timers include a 30-30 man, a 300-save notcher and, most impressively, a pitcher who went 5-4 for a club that went 40-120. Zoom along with HoJo, Wags and the Original K-Mac.

Edgy MD Feb 24 2022 08:54 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

"I feel shitty." Now that we've got HoJo back in circulation, let's get him edited into Once Upon a Time in Queens.

Edgy MD Feb 24 2022 09:19 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

MacKenzie giving up the "gamer" to Frank Howard. http://ultimatemets.com/scorecard_graph.php?game=200&font=1>

Edgy MD Feb 24 2022 09:52 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Wait a minute ... when did Josh Lewin re-enter the fold?

G-Fafif Feb 25 2022 06:38 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Josh has been doing the club-sanctioned “Mets in the Morning” podcast since July. You can tell it's official because he dances around the names of locked-out players.

G-Fafif Mar 10 2022 11:40 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Mookie receives an award. [tweet]https://twitter.com/mets/status/1501946045013495814[/tweet]

G-Fafif Mar 23 2022 06:51 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

[tweet]https://twitter.com/timtuckerajc/status/1506613766825336839[/tweet]

Frayed Knot Mar 23 2022 07:04 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Glavine had been largely passed over in favor of Francoeur and was doing fewer and fewer Braves games over the last year or two. I thought that an odd choice at first, particularly with Glavine being the bigger Braves star. But I guess being a native Georgian helped and Frenchie, who I assumed to be the stereotypical rock-headed jock, turned out to be surprisingly good and network jobs were quickly added to his ATL work.

G-Fafif Mar 30 2022 01:51 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

[tweet]https://twitter.com/mets/status/1509255163655110659[/tweet]

Edgy MD Mar 30 2022 02:07 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Three lefty throwers/lefty hitters. Krane is going ringless, however. Person in the foreground is also rocking a cane. It's hard to see older Ed Kranepool and not think I'm somehow related to him.

G-Fafif Mar 30 2022 02:24 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

One day shy of ten years will be Johanniversary Night at Citi Field. FLUSHING, N.Y., March 28, 2022 — The New York Mets today announced that the club will hold a pre-game ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of Johan Santana's historic no-hitter on Tuesday, May 31 prior to the 7:10 pm game vs. Washington. On June 1, 2012, Santana delivered his signature pitch, a changeup, to strike out St. Louis' David Freese, to author the first no-hitter in franchise history after 8,019 regular season games. Santana and his catcher that evening Josh Thole, will be honored for their historic achievement. “I still remember how I felt that night,” said Santana, who gutted through 134 pitches. “I knew how much it meant to New York Mets fans. I was very proud to be a part of the first no-hitter and I can't wait to celebrate with the fans on May 31. It holds a special place in my heart.” In addition, the team announced that Santana and Thole will both participate in Old Timers' Day on Saturday, August 27 prior to the 7:10 pm game vs. Colorado. With one out in the seventh inning, Yadier Molina laced a line drive to left. Queens native Mike Baxter raced back and crashed violently into the wall but held onto the baseball to preserve the no-hit bid. “I was in a zone with Josh all night,” recalled Santana. “I remember I was holding my breath before Baxter's catch. It was amazing. He really saved me.” https://newyorkmets.medium.com/mets-to-honor-johan-santana-on-may-31-in-a-pre-game-ceremony-10-years-after-his-historic-no-hitter-71d5855d1f25

Edgy MD Mar 30 2022 02:39 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

No notion of whether Baxter will be included?

G-Fafif Mar 30 2022 02:52 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Mike might be busy. https://vucommodores.com/coach/mike-baxter-3/

G-Fafif Apr 01 2022 10:30 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Can't get much more “what's a Met retired from the game up to?” than a check-in with David Wright as he visits St. Lucie. https://www.mlb.com/news/david-wright-joins-mets-spring-training

G-Fafif Apr 01 2022 10:33 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Dave Gallagher, with stories that touch on, among others, Willie Mays, Nolan Ryan and Bret Saberhagen. I have a great story about Willie Mays. I had all of that love for Willie Mays as a kid. Years later playing for the Mets, we went into San Francisco to play the Giants. Bobby Bonilla started in right field. I went in in the seventh inning for him and there was a right-handed hitter who tended to drive the ball the other way. I'm in right, so I'm ready. He did exactly what I envisioned and hit it to right. At Candlestick Park, from the foul line to the padded wall is extremely narrow. I was on a dead run, caught the ball and pulled my arm in because I knew I was gonna slam into the wall, which I did. I went down to the ground, held up the ball and jogged in because it was the last out. The next day, I checked in with the trainers to say hello. I was about to leave when one of them said, “Hey Gally, you got a compliment from a pretty big name.” I thought they were playing with me and trying to put the bait out there. The other trainer said, “Yeah, Willie Mays came in and asked who the right fielder was.” They told him it was Bobby Bonilla. He said he knew who Bonilla was but wanted to know the guy who went in for him. They told him it was Dave Gallagher. He said, “Well tell him he's a really good outfielder because good outfielders make hard plays look easy.” I'll never forget that. I can't understand how a little boy in New Jersey who idolized Willie Mays, so many years later would be complimented by that man. That doesn't seem possible! https://ballnine.com/2022/03/31/dave-gallagher/

G-Fafif Apr 01 2022 11:23 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Messrs. Cespedes and Colon will join the cast of Old Timers Day 2022. https://www.mlb.com/news/yoenis-cespedes-bartolo-colon-mets-old-timers-day

seawolf17 Apr 01 2022 11:55 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

It is going to be AWESOME when we then activate them for game that day.

Edgy MD Apr 01 2022 11:56 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

That's great. Colón might have been my first call.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 01 2022 11:59 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Nothing makes you feel like an old, old man like reading that Cespedes and Bartolo are gonna be participating in a Mets old-timers game.

Willets Point Apr 01 2022 12:13 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I thought Cespedes was still nominally active.

Frayed Knot Apr 01 2022 01:44 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Willets Point wrote: I thought Cespedes was still nominally active. He was only occasionally active when he was active.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 01 2022 02:31 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I hope he brings his warthog, or whatever the hell that was. Maybe Lindor and McNeil can argue about its exact species.

G-Fafif Apr 05 2022 08:52 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Tim McCarver, who made his regular-season Mets booth debut 39 years ago today, has retired from broadcasting. It's now official. One of the legendary careers in baseball broadcasting — all of sportscasting, for that matter — has ended. Tim McCarver, who was the television analyst for more World Series than anyone — 24 — and a fixture on the air for decades, is retired from the business. The acknowledgement by McCarver, who spent the final six years of his unparalleled run in the booth covering the Cardinals for what now is Bally Sports Midwest, comes three seasons after he called his last game. In the interim, he had been in limbo during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. “I think I'm happy about it,” he said of putting down the microphone. “I think that's the best.” McCarver, now 80, was at his best for decades and worked for all four major American commercial broadcast networks. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox. You name it and he was on the call for the big games. His final fling on the national stage came in 2013, when he called the Cardinals-Red Sox World Series with Joe Buck — his partner for 18 years. https://www.stltoday.com/sports/subscriber/media-views-tim-mccarvers-unparalleled-baseball-broadcasting-career-officially-is-over/article_cf92783a-eb57-5b0b-81df-767ccf19049d.html

Edgy MD Apr 05 2022 09:30 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Best analyst the Mets ever had, even when simultanteously doing play by play. I'll double down on my advocacy for his Mets HoF enshrinement.

m8644 Apr 05 2022 10:14 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

McCarver seems to get a bad rep about being a "know it all", especially when he got paired with Buck in the 2nd half of his career. But in his prime, he really was tremendous in my view. The man knew his stuff, and even if you disagreed with his concept, he'd explain it in a way that would at least make you think. Also, the amount of times that he would bring up on a Mets broadcast, an outfielder playing too deep on a weak hitting player, only for that player to drop one in front of the fielder, is truly incalcuable.

roger_that Apr 06 2022 03:53 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

McCarver seems to get a bad rep about being a "know it all".... Also, the amount of times that he would bring up on a Mets broadcast, an outfielder playing too deep on a weak hitting player, only for that player to drop one in front of the fielder, is truly incalcuable. I seem to recall this being a constant theme with him and Strawberry in particular. Sometimes, Tim did know it all, and was willing to annoy the players by saying what he knew, which I admired no end.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 06 2022 06:55 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Edgy MD wrote: I'll double down on my advocacy for his Mets HoF enshrinement. Word!

seawolf17 Apr 06 2022 09:19 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Baseball for Brain Surgeons is one of my favorite baseball books of all time. I think he gets a lot of crap because he was a big target, but I loved listening to him on games when he was with us.

smg58 Apr 06 2022 09:28 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I can't imagine Baxter wouldn't make the trip for something like this. Colon will play in the old timers game and then start the real game and get a hit even though he's the pitcher. I always loved McCarver and never understood the negative energy. Is this the thread to mention that Todd Frazier announced his retirement?

Johnny Lunchbucket Apr 06 2022 09:57 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I've always thought McCarver was so good at sharing what he knew that at some point, everybody learned it and he became less interesting. I also think that shameful incident with Deion Sanders sorta wounded him more than we really knew

Willets Point Apr 06 2022 10:27 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I guess I'm in the minority here, but McCarver always annoyed the fuck out of me. The whiny, nasal voice. Talking nonstop, often about things irrelevant to what was on the field. Making a dumb joke early in the game and then constantly referring back to the dumb joke while Ralph faked a laugh just to get him to shut up. Splooging all over the place about how great the Cardinals' players were (I mean you don't have to be a homer, but you can also keep it in your pants when talking about our archenemies). I got in the habit of turning the tv volume down and listening to the radio while watching the game.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 06 2022 10:48 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I think working with Lorn Brown in 1982 put Ralph Kiner into a kind of coma, and bringing in McCarver (and short-term CPF member Steve Zabriskie) the next year brought him back to life. He made watching the Mets a lot more fun, and I think Ralph legitimately enjoyed working with him.

G-Fafif Apr 06 2022 05:48 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Those young rascals at hot new Mets podcast National League Town addressed McCarver's potential induction into the NYM HOF in their second episode (they were fully in favor of it). https://www.podpage.com/national-league-town/more-about-the-mets-hall-of-fame/

G-Fafif Apr 14 2022 12:42 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Butch Huskey remains fond of No. 42. https://www.mlb.com/news/butch-huskey-on-jackie-robinson-75th-anniversary-celebration

G-Fafif Apr 17 2022 07:56 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

A hometown paper visit with Illinois boy Jay Hook. https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20220416/grayslakes-jay-hook-leaves-his-mark-with-expansion-ny-mets

G-Fafif Apr 28 2022 04:25 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Man of God Darryl Strawberry… [tweet]https://twitter.com/franklin_graham/status/1517710101242859520[/tweet] …suggests violence is the answer for the 2022 Mets. “Come on, man, if they want to put a stop to their guys getting hit, somebody's gotta charge the mound,” Strawberry said by phone. “I know the game is different now but at some point you have to let teams know that if they throw at you, they're going to pay a price. “That's how we were. Teams didn't like us because we were in New York and we were good and we took curtain calls, so they tried to test us by throwing at us and we put a stop to that real quick. We let them know we were going to fight them, all of us, and they were going to respect us. “This team has beaten up on some teams early and I think they're being tested. If you don't make a statement, other teams are going to keep doing what they're doing and think you're a bunch of softies. You can't have guys getting hit in the head and not do anything about it. So make your statement early: ‘You keep hitting us and we're going to charge the mound and snap your neck.'“ As he indicated, Strawberry knows almost nobody charges the mound the way they did decades ago, in part because suspensions are so much lengthier -- and costly -- than they were at that time. Still, he was emphatic in saying the need for action should supersede any concern about punishment. “Who cares about a suspension?” Strawberry said. “You throw all that out the window when teams are throwing at you. And it doesn't matter if it's not intentional. Pitchers obviously are trying to throw up and in on them. You have to let them know, ‘we're not going to allow you to keep hitting us.' “You go out there and pop them in the face and it does a couple of things. It did for us, anyway: it forces pitchers to back off from what they're doing, and it becomes a bonding thing for a team. Once we established that we had each other's backs and nobody was going to mess with us, we felt like we were never going to lose. It was part of who we were. “I'm not saying this team has to be the animals that we were. I'd just like to see the Mets win again. It's been a long time. The fans in New York deserve another championship. I'm glad to see this team is off to a good start. I played for Buck (Showalter) in '95 (with the Yankees), so I know they've got a good manager. “But it's up to the players to form that bond, and this is the kind of thing that can help do that. It's up to the players to say ‘the hell with this, we're getting hit too many times.'“ https://sny.tv/articles/darryl-strawberry-mets-hit-batters-somebodys-gotta-charge-mound

Edgy MD Apr 28 2022 04:49 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

You know, I've been tempted to charge the mound when Franklin Graham is doing the pitching. Also worth noting that Darryl calls the St. Louis area home, and has been there for a while now.

Marshmallowmilkshake Apr 28 2022 11:23 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Bruce Berenyi, hall-of-famer! Congrats to him for being inducted into the Glen Oaks Community College Athletic Hall of Fame. [url]https://www.glenoaks.edu/berenyi-to-be-inducted-into-glen-oaks-athletic-hall-of-fame-first-viking-baseball-player-drafted-by-a-major-league-team/

Edgy MD Apr 28 2022 12:18 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Fun Fact: It was the Bruce Berenyi acquisition that precipitated the Mets' release of Mike Torrez. I would guess that Torrez is the only Met pitcher to get unconditionally released in the same season in which he started the opener. Cut loose before the All-Star Break, no less.

G-Fafif Apr 28 2022 01:45 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

A slightly less ignominious exit: Pete Harnisch was bounced for a minor leaguer the same season he started Opening Day after he and Bobby V didn't see eye to eye.

Willets Point Apr 28 2022 06:18 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Every wax pack I opened in the 1980s had a Bruce Berenyi card in it.

G-Fafif May 03 2022 10:58 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

John Stearns still telling it like it is. “1977 was really strange,” Stearns said. “They had old owners and they just thought if someone made $20,000 a year, that was way too much. They were old school. That's what they were used to paying people. And the Seaver trade, I can't imagine why anyone would do that. It was these old-school owners who didn't want to stay up with the new money line in baseball and Seaver wanted to get paid. He needed to be the highest paid guy in baseball and they traded him. Seaver and I had hit it off and it was amazing catching him. It was awesome and he brought me a long way. “We got all these players [for him] and it just didn't work. I don't think we had enough talent to be a contender after the Seaver deal. If you look at the players we got, how many turned out to be solid Major Leaguers? Doug Flynn was a good second baseman but he wasn't a good hitter, Zachry wasn't that good, Henderson had one good year and then wasn't that good. It didn't turn out to be a good deal.” https://ballnine.com/2022/05/02/tackling-destiny/

Johnny Lunchbucket May 06 2022 05:18 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Disgraced short-time Met Kyle Farnsworth is... scouting ballplayers in Uganda, apparently. This is an amusing kind of Twitter thread if you read it, with appearances by Megill's Mom, back and forth between fans, a few funny remarks and a pretty wild opening video [TWEET]https://twitter.com/24_7Farnsworth/status/1522619666543296514[/TWEET]

Edgy MD May 06 2022 07:50 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I had forgotten all about L'Affaire Farnsworth.

Edgy MD May 06 2022 08:08 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Well, that thread made me stupider.

The Hot Corner May 06 2022 09:34 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Edgy MD wrote: Well, that thread made me stupider. Yup, me too.

G-Fafif May 07 2022 12:50 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

On this rainy Mets-Phillies weekend, not great John Stearns news, via Jay Horwitz: Mets fans the Bad Dude needs your prayers and good thoughts. For years John Stearns gave his heart and soul to this organization and now he needs our support. John is currently in as assisted living facility in Denver and he is battling a tough disease. This week his old high school ,Thomas Jefferson, retired his uniform Number 12 and John was able to attended the ceremonies. His son told me that John loves hearing from his old fans so we have set something up on his Facebook Page where people can write. John Stearns Facebook Page → https://bit.ly/3LYt0nM The more notes, the happier Dude will be . So if you feel inclined please drop John a line or two. Know it will be deeply appreciated. Thinking of you my old friend. https://metsinsider.mlblogs.com/sending-love-to-john-stearns-823b6f481628

Edgy MD May 07 2022 01:15 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

https://metsrostercentral.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/screen-shot-2022-05-07-at-3.13.34-pm.png>

Johnny Lunchbucket May 08 2022 06:23 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Geez, sorry to hear John Stearns is ill. I've told you this story before but one of my friends from high-school years (the singer whose band won 2 weeks on 'Star Search'!) was a wonderful musician who today does a piano-bar act in Florida. Through these he befriended John Stearns. He told me all this when I was in Florida and popped into one of his shows-- first time we'd seen one another in decades. He pulls out his phone and goes "John Stearns loves to talk to fans!" and scrolls through his contacts and find the one that reads: "John Stearns, NY Mets Catcher." It's like 11 o'clock at night in a crowded noisy bar, but he calls him on the spot, and hands the phone to me. I was completely unprepared to discuss anything substantial but he was totally friendly-- funny story, and so can confirm he like hearing from fans.

roger_that May 08 2022 06:42 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: so can confirm he like hearing from fans. Post the number your friend dialled, and we might test how many of his fans he likes hearing from.

MFS62 Jun 02 2022 07:30 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Mickey Callaway fired from a Mexican League managing gig after 33 games. https://www.audacy.com/wfan/sports/mets/mets-manager-mickey-callaway-fired-by-mexican-league-team?utm_campaign=www.audacy.com%252Fwfan&utm_content=1654034684&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_term=WFAN-AM&fbclid=IwAR0nc6kqVRoZZFoH9Z6ckAfLR1A5ThKbP8GeMIaIlRYydqM3i2UIOkGsjUQ Later

G-Fafif Jun 14 2022 01:18 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Regrets? Gregg Jefferies has a few. More about his St. Louis days, but some thoughts on being a Met who did his way, perhaps to his detriment. It was hard for Jefferies to retire and it was hard for him to join a veteran-laden, talented Mets team in the late 1980s. “I made a lot of mistakes. I had a terrible temper,” said Jefferies. “And I came in replacing one of the team favorites, Wally Backman. “I wore my heart on my sleeves. I lived and died every good-and-bad game. And you can't play baseball like that,” Jefferies said. In a recent New York Post story by Joel Sherman, some of the Mets from that era apologized for the way they treated Jefferies. “He was not allowed to thrive in the way he should have. In retrospect it is a black mark on the team,” said pitcher Ron Darling. “It was nice for them to admit that,” said Jefferies, “but I've never put the blame on them ever. For them to come out and say, ‘We treated this kid wrong,' was nice to hear. “They easily could said Jefferies was a brat or he was a punk, but they didn't.” https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/gregg-jefferies-wonders-how-good-he-could-have-been/article_9e1519b7-8ec1-5adf-88f7-ed96274fc31f.html

Edgy MD Jun 14 2022 01:29 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I saw a similar article a few months ago. It's good to see grace coming from both sides. My takeaway from the Jefferies saga was to not just give a rookie a full-time job. If they found him work at second (against lefties), and at third (against righties), and waxed and waned his playing time as appropriate, it could have taken the target off his back from the outside, and the monkey off from the inside. You hit enough, the opportunities will be there. Ask Luis Guillorme.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 15 2022 07:06 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Not all rookies get shit on by the vets, but some do, and in those cases it's often about a personality issue. At some level, the vets must believe that personality will interfere with the player's/team's performance--even it comes out as uneasiness about taking another vets' job. Milledge was another. Something about him didn't sit right with teammates.

G-Fafif Jun 21 2022 05:24 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Kyle Farnsworth is jacked, dude. Well, the pitcher who was named baseball's toughest player in 2010 is even more intimidating now. After hanging up his cleats following the 2014 season, Farnsworth turned to semi-pro football. That wasn't enough, though: Now Farnsworth is a competitive bodybuilder. https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-farnsworth-is-absolutely-jacked-now

Edgy MD Jun 21 2022 06:44 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I completely forgot he was a Met for a spell. So unMetly he was. He was so unMetly that he made Jon Rauch seem Metly. What a weird year that 2014 was for brief unMetly interlopers in the bullpen.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 21 2022 07:37 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I always hated Farnsworth, one of those guys with tight skin and no hair on their bodies that looked like they smelled bad. That MLB chatroom gag had him pinned. Another forgotten gem of baseball web 1.0.

Edgy MD Jun 21 2022 07:51 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I just looked up the 2014 bullpen. We had periods of Farnsworth, Dice-Kloser, Jon LOLannan, Dana Eveland, and Who's-Your-Buddy Carlyle. Lannan!

G-Fafif Jun 22 2022 05:34 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Jose Valverde was briefly the 2014 closer, though his mentoring of an emerging Jeurys Familia was his longer-lasting legacy.

Edgy MD Jun 22 2022 07:35 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

How did Valverde elude my listicle? What a way station for journeymen we were operating that year.

Frayed Knot Jun 22 2022 08:12 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I have ZERO memory of Kyle Farnsworth being a Met

Methead Jun 22 2022 08:40 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: That MLB chatroom gag had him pinned. Another forgotten gem of baseball web 1.0. The one that always clowned on Dmitri Young and Jim Thome? Yeah, I miss that.

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 22 2022 09:41 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

iJM THOME

G-Fafif Jun 25 2022 03:21 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Nice story on Old Timers Day coming together, save for the unnecessary shot at Josh Thole. In the aftermath of the Mets' joyous announcement on Feb. 8 that they were going to hold their first Old-Timers' Day in 28 years on Aug. 27, one question probably reverberated around the offices at Citi Field: How exactly do you put together an Old-Timers' Day after not having had one since 1994? For answers, the Mets turned to the one baseball team in America that knows how to put on an Old-Timers' Day, having held one almost every year since 1947. The Yankees. Who were only too happy to help. It's not exactly like Macy's asking Gimbel's for help (or, for the younger crowd, Google asking Microsoft). The Mets and Yankees may be rivals on the field — at least for the four Subway Series games they will play in July and August — but share a city and an industry. So when Mets vice president of alumni media relations Jay Horwitz needed some help, he reached out to Debbie Tymon, the Yankees' senior vice president of marketing, to ask for advice on the massive logistical challenge that is Old-Timers' Day. “The first thing I said was, ‘Good luck,' ” Tymon said. “The fans love the rivalries, but I think on the business side of the game, sometimes they don't really always understand the challenges we all face. Sharing this type of information is a wonderful thing. There's the baseball side of the business and then there's just business. None of this is confidential or proprietary.” Said Horwitz: “I was picking her brain. ‘How long are the introductions?' The logistics of setting the game up. Debbie's an old friend. She's been very helpful to me.” There was more to it than that, of course. Tymon described the process a bit like a large wedding, with “Save the Date” notices followed by invitations and then trying to figure out who is coming from around the country. Then there are the financial arrangements. Each Old-Timer is given an “honorarium” for attending and also will receive a gift. The Mets settled on a snazzy ring for each participant, meaning the club had to find out the ring sizes for every single one of the 65 Old-Timers who as of this date have committed to attend (many of the names have been publicized, but the Mets have not yet released the complete list). Second-year owners Steve and Alex Cohen have made honoring Mets history a priority. Already this season, the Mets have unveiled the Tom Seaver statue (which was commissioned under the previous owners and delayed by the pandemic), honored late 1969 Mets manager Gil Hodges for his Hall of Fame induction, and are retiring Keith Hernandez's No. 17 on July 9. “Steve and Alex have really been supportive of everything we've done,” Horwitz said. “They said, ‘Let's just do it. Let's do it the right way.' And that's what we're trying to do.” The Yankees, who are holding their first Old-Timers' Day since 2019 on July 30, traditionally have an Old-Timers' game after the players are introduced. In 2019 — before the pandemic canceled Old-Timers' Day in back-to-back years — Mariano Rivera hit an inside-the-park home run, played centerfield and (of course) picked up the save. This year, the Mets' Old-Timers are going to play a game. But the Yankees' Old-Timers are not. “We are not doing a traditional Old-Timers' Day this year,” Tymon said. “We are not going to have a three-inning game. I have several alumni on the injured list — a little hip replacement, a little knee replacement. So when that all came into play, you say to yourself, ‘We still have to bring back Old-Timers' Day. There's a clamoring from fans to see the alumni.' So we're modifying it and going in a different direction just to move forward this year and then hope to return to our standard event in 2023.” Tymon said the Yankees are planning on having “well over 30” Old-Timers at their event, with the names to be announced shortly. The Mets, who are celebrating their 60th anniversary, have a guest list that is nearly twice that. That's because it's the first time they've held the event in nearly three decades, and also because one of the lessons Tymon taught Horwitz was you have to invite a lot of former players — and a bunch of younger Old-Timers — if you plan to play a game. For example, 35-year-old former Mets catcher Josh Thole is coming. Thole caught Johan Santana's no-hitter and was R.A. Dickey's personal backstop in his Cy Young Award season of 2012, but he's no one's idea of a Hall of Famer. But he's a catcher. And he's able-bodied. So Josh Thole will be introduced among the legends on Aug. 27, and then will be asked to do a lot of squatting. “I said, ‘Josh, you might have to catch for both teams,' ” Horwitz said. “He said, ‘Do whatever you need me to do.' You've got to get guys who can play. I was on a call with Mike [Piazza] and he said he's practicing. Mookie [Wilson] said he's getting in the cage a little bit, too.” Yankees Old-Timers' Day games used to be organized by former general manager and manager Gene (Stick) Michael, who Tymon called “the GM of the event.” Michael passed away in 2017. Since then, former Mets and Yankees player Lee Mazzilli has helped out with the game, and he also offered Horwitz advice about how to stage one for the Mets. “The Yankees do a phenomenal job with their Old-Timers' Day,” Mazzilli said. “There's no reason why the Mets are not going to do a great job with that, too. The most important thing is no one wants to be embarrassed out there. Baseball players or any athletes, they have that gene instilled in them, that competitiveness. You always want to do well whether you're 30 years old or you're 80 years old. “We'll have that all set up. You're going to ask a player, ‘Hey, can you go out and play shortstop?' And they might say, ‘Hey, I have a really bad hip. Can't go out there.' And then you say ‘OK, no problem.' And then you might tell a pitcher, ‘Go out and play second.' That's the fun part of it. “There's some guys you just run out there and let them throw for one batter so the fans can see them. There's no organization to it other than letting the fans enjoy seeing the players. You're going to have a fan that's 70 years old, 80 years old — they want to see the Art Shamskys. “Then the younger generations want to see their favorites. That's the beauty of it. ‘Oh, there he is. There's that player.' That's all it is. There's no rhyme or reason why someone is playing in what position or whatever. It's just a good ol' Sunday afternoon pick-up game that you want to see your favorite player play. Fans are going to see the players that are most recognizable when they were kids. They can tell their grandkids, ‘Hey, that was my favorite player back when.' And the kid will say, ‘Who's that?' and then you're able to tell that story about that player. That's the beauty of the game of baseball — to share those memories.” Tymon also advised Horwitz to prepare for a potentially hot late August day by having folding chairs ready for the more senior Old-Timers, stocking up on ice water and having at least two EMTs on duty in the dugout. Those and a million other details are all it will take for the Mets to successfully hold their first Old-Timers' Day in 28 years. “We haven't done this since 1994, right?” Horwitz said. “It should be nice. It should be a nice thing.” https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-yankees-old-timers-day-fm66awrx

Johnny Lunchbucket Jun 25 2022 03:40 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

I was excited when I was a kid and went to an OTD back in the 70s, probably 75 or 76. I thought it would be a lot fun but tbh, I was sorta disappointed... I didn't know any of these old fat guys in the field, didn't fully understand why there were Yankees and Dodger there. Also think was expecting a better "game." Give me camera day I was thinking. Today as an old fat guy myself, it kinda sounds like fun

G-Fafif Jun 27 2022 07:08 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Looking over a list of those suspended from the Angels-Mariners brawl, I saw Dom Chiti, assistant pitching coach for the Angels, got five games. He is the son of 1962 Met Harry Chiti, who, as legends frames it, was traded for himself. Dom Chiti has been a coach and front office guy for many years (he was on Buck's staff in Baltimore) but had escaped my notice until tonight.

Edgy MD Jun 27 2022 07:38 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

If somebody is going to escape my notice in baseball (and Dom Chiti has), assistant pitching coach of the Angels is the way to do it.

kcmets Jun 27 2022 07:57 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Old Timer's Day is on my birthday. I will be officially old that day, but not quite Social Security old just yet. Gonna try and get out there.

G-Fafif Jul 19 2022 05:47 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Brooklyn's own Bob Aspromonte wanted to be a Met in 1962. The American League had expanded in 1961 and the National League took its turn the following year with the addition of Houston and New York, which had only one team since the end of the 1957 season. Aspromonte was hoping that the Mets would select him – a Brooklyn kid coming home – but it wasn't meant to be. The Colt 45s selected infielder Eddie Bressoud from San Francisco with the first pick, setting up the Mets to take Aspromonte. New York, however, grabbed catcher Hobie Landrith from the Giants before Houston took Aspromonte with the third pick. Legendary former Yankees manager Casey Stengel, who was in the twilight of his career, was named as New York's manager as much for his box-office appeal as his managerial skills. When asked why the club chose Landrith, he responded “You gotta have a catcher or you're gonna have a lot of passed balls”. Naturally, Aspromonte was disappointed. “I thought the Mets would take me and I was going to go back home,” he said. “Naturally, we were all waiting for it. That was the biggest surprise. [Houston GM] Paul Richards took the young kid. That's how it started. It was a blessing because it opened a new tale and new city.” Aspromonte was immediately penciled in as Houston's third baseman and would go on to take his place in the annals of franchise history. The Colt 45s ended up trading Bressoud to Boston so Aspromonte became the first expansion draft pick in franchise history to play for the club. He would go on to be the franchise's first batter, collect its first hit in the team's first at-bat on Opening Day in 1962, a single off Don Cardwell at Colts Stadium. He scored Houston's first run, drew its first walk and stole its first base. “The recognition I get on a regular basis [because of the firsts] is there even today,” Aspromonte said. “They have this little video they show of Bob Aspromonte getting the first hit, saying that he did all these things. Every time they bring my name up it brings up all the old stories. I started seven seasons here at third base and it worked out very well. “You have to remember one thing. I was a 21-year-old kid now getting to play every day. That first year I played over 150 games. That was a hell of a first year and it offsets everything else. So that experience alone offset it [not going to the Mets]. After one start, that's all gone and it's been a blessing for me.” His wish came true in 1971. Aspromonte saw his playing time diminish further in 1970 [127 at-bats] and he was traded to the Mets that December for Ron Herbel. He was, at last, coming home. “That was the greatest feeling,” Aspromonte said. “[Mets manager] Hodges had tried to get me two years prior. When they had a problem with third baseman Wayne Garrett being in the service they needed someone and it was a great surprise. Gil kept mentioning it and for it actually happen, I'll never forget it. “I arrived in Spring Training and Gil and I were in his office and I gave him a big hug. The only thing I wanted to do was wear No. 14 and Gil said no Bobby, you get No. 2.” Aspromonte got off to a solid start and was hitting .270 on June 1 before a calf injury later that month June set him back. When he returned to the lineup, he wasn't the same and finished the season hitting .225 in 104 games. “I had about five homers and was driving in runs and one game the pitcher threw a changeup and I hesitated,” Aspromonte said. “I stuck my leg out but I didn't swing. I stopped because I was off center and I tore my left calf muscle. From there, it was very difficult. “I had a fantastic first two months and I wished I stayed out longer instead of trying to come back too quickly. That was a big mistake. I came back too fast. When I came back I was conscious that I couldn't move like I used to. It was uncomfortable and that was sad because I had been doing so well.” https://ballnine.com/2022/07/18/aspro-the-astro/

seawolf17 Jul 31 2022 11:16 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Former Met Franklyn Kilome getting the start here in Rochester today for the Wings... and promptly gives up long home runs to two of the first three Scranton batters. Dude's still got it.

G-Fafif Sep 14 2022 04:44 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Bobby M. Jones helping to bring the New Jersey Jackals to Paterson's historic Hincliffe Stadium. https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/newyork/news/coming-soon-minor-league-new-jersey-jackals-to-play-at-renovated-hinchcliffe-stadium-in-paterson/

MFS62 Sep 14 2022 04:48 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 15 2022 05:47 AM

Moved to the proper thread. Later

Edgy MD Sep 14 2022 10:04 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

We generally use this thread for retired players.

MFS62 Sep 15 2022 05:47 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Edgy MD wrote: We generally use this thread for retired players. I forgot we have an "All my Exes.." thread. Too busy thinking about FK's travel dilemma. I'll post it there. Thanks. Later

G-Fafif Sep 15 2022 08:08 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Bobby M. Jones helping to bring the New Jersey Jackals to Paterson's historic Hincliffe Stadium. https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/newyork/news/coming-soon-minor-league-new-jersey-jackals-to-play-at-renovated-hinchcliffe-stadium-in-paterson/ A little more on the Paterson initiative (which leaves Yogi Berra Stadium bereft of Frontier League play), with the city's Met-lovin' mayor wearing the colors and using the clichés. Hinchliffe remained in use until 1997, when it was closed due to structural deficiencies. It's been crumbling ever since, but Sayegh made reviving Hinchliffe a top priority as mayor. Sayegh, who is big baseball fan, wore his New York Mets tie and socks to Wednesday's announcement. He recalled taking a trip in 2009 to Birmingham, Alabama to see Rickwood Field, once home to the Black Barons of the Negro League, then returning home to Paterson with his own dream of restoring Hinchliffe. “After 25 years of playing at Yogi Berra Stadium, the Jackals were looking to relocate,” Sayegh said. “Paterson stepped up to the plate, and said with the renovated Hinchliffe Stadium, it would make an ideal home for the New Jersey Jackals.” https://www.nj.com/news/2022/09/jackals-are-bringing-baseball-back-to-once-crumbling-nj-stadium.html “We're not only bringing Hinchliffe Stadium back, we're bringing life back to this neighborhood,” Sayegh said.

G-Fafif Sep 29 2022 01:16 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Willie Mays was back at the ballpark last night. Doesn't matter which one. The ballpark is where Willie belongs. His SF chronicler John Shea reported on his return, a heartwarming baseball story it's a baseball fan's obligation to share. ALL-TIME GIANTS GREAT WILLIE MAYS LIGHTS UP ORACLE PARK WITH SURPRISE VISIT By John Shea San Francisco Chronicle The ballpark was especially vibrant and cheerful Wednesday night because the legend of legends was in the house. For the first time since July 2021, Willie Mays visited Oracle Park and took in the friendly environment that greets him when he stops by his second home. Mays, 91, who was advised to stay clear of big crowds during much of the pandemic and has been rehabbing from hip surgery, set a goal to get to the stadium before season's end. Mays arrived a few hours before the San Francisco Giants' game against the Colorado Rockies and visited his old friend, Mike Murphy, the longtime clubhouse manager who was a batboy in 1958 when Mays and the Giants debuted in San Francisco. “I came to see the guys, not to cause any excitement. I want to make sure I keep up with the guys,” Mays said in a clubhouse room Murphy set up for him. “I just hope I can keep my body strong enough to be back for spring training. There are just a few games to go this year, but these guys will be back strong.” Mays sat in a wheelchair, and he and Murphy shared stories and laughs, as usual. One by one, Giants players entered the room and got a handshake from the Say Hey Kid, still one of the firmest in the game — “I miss all you guys,” he said at one point. “I never missed so many games in my life.” CEO Larry Baer, executive vice president Mario Alioto, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and public-address announcer Renel Brooks-Moon were among those to pay their respects. When outfielder Mike Yastrzemski entered, Mays mentioned he faced Carl Yastrzemski, Mike's grandfather, in All-Star Games. “He could hit, man. Made me run around a little bit.” Mays told the younger Yastrzemski he likes him in center field — “Just don't try to catch it my way (the basket catch). Catch it your way.” Joc Pederson and J.D. Davis came by, and Mays asked them how many home runs they had — 23 for Pederson, 11 for Davis. “That's not bad,” Mays said. Mays told Zaidi, “You guys give me a lot of spirit,” and he called Murphy “my guy — we've been together a long time.” Nearing the end of a disappointing Giants season, Mays told the truth to a couple of players when saying, “You guys need some help, man.” The players laughed and didn't disagree. Before the pandemic, Mays was a regular at home games, making himself available in the clubhouse to young players or anyone else who wanted to visit and say hello. He'd spend the first few innings in his suite above left field and return the next day. Even in spring training, Mays would be in Scottsdale throughout camp and religiously attend home games, at least until mid-March 2020 when the pandemic shut down the game. Once that season began, folks weren't allowed into ballparks, and Mays was asked to shelter in place, needing to wait until May 7, 2021, to make a triumphant return to 24 Willie Mays Plaza. It was his 90th birthday celebration, coming in a homestand opener the day after he turned the big nine-oh. That day, even with attendance still limited — the crowd count was 9,219, many in masks — the franchise icon was in his element and joyful that he was in the presence of fans, reveling in shared positive vibes as Mays did a lap around the warning track in a 1956 turquoise and white Oldsmobile convertible. Mays' visit Wednesday was a bit more subtle, but it meant the world to him. His body, mobility and eyesight aren't what they were — he has been dealing with issues associated with life at age 91 — but his sharp mind keeps him in his prime, and he still can read the room as easily as he can light it up. Mays was accompanied by his son, Michael; longtime assistant and friend, Rene Anderson; his physician, Dr. Carla Pugh; and helper Samoa Palauni. Even Willie's beloved dog, a poodle named Giant, came along. “Mr. Mays is doing amazing from a cognitive perspective and is making great progress in his rehab for his physical strength,” Pugh said. “Cognitively, he is at the the top of his game. It's rare to have the situation awareness that he has, and that bodes well for his rehab. I've never seen anything like that from a 91-year-old.” Mays is looking forward to the new documentary about him, which has his blessing and will air on HBO shortly after the World Series. He remains involved in his Say Hey Foundation, which benefits needy youth, and let it be known the second class of the Willie Mays Scholars — a college preparation and need-based scholarship program supporting Black youth living in San Francisco — was honored by the Giants this season. Last month, Mays got emotional when the New York Mets retired his number 24 during an Old-Timers Day celebration at Citi Field, carrying through on a pledge made by former team owner Joan Payson, who had vowed to retire the number, but she died two years after Mays retired as a Met. On Wednesday, Mays said he wanted to call current Mets owner Steve Cohen to thank him. Although the Giants will miss the playoffs, momentous news has been made around MLB. While Mays was in the clubhouse, Aaron Judge hit his 61st home run, tying Roger Maris' American League season record. Albert Pujols has 700 homers, joining the likes of Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth. Mays' 660 stood third in history for 30 years, and now it ranks sixth. When Pujols reached 660 in September 2020, Mays welcomed him aboard and said, “If I were to send him a message, I'd say, ‘Congratulations. Don't stop there. Keep going.' That's sports.” It came at the height of the pandemic, and Mays noted, “This is good for baseball, too. It comes at a good time. We need to have something going on right now.” Mays has been in the Giants' organization most of his life, as a player from 1950 through 1972 and as an ambassador, instructor and assistant to the president from 1986 to the present. He received a lifetime contract from former owner Peter Magowan in 1993. [tweet]https://twitter.com/scottstrazzante/status/1575279771876892672[/tweet]

Edgy MD Sep 29 2022 02:05 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Albert Pujols can hit 700. Aaron Judge can hit 61. Willie Mays just showing up is a bigger story than either, for me.

G-Fafif Sep 30 2022 02:54 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 30 2022 04:15 PM

Edgy MD wrote: Albert Pujols can hit 700. Aaron Judge can hit 61. Willie Mays just showing up is a bigger story than either, for me. I love this line. I also love that Willie Mays is around to, if he chooses, monitor the progress of the first Met born in the 21st century.

MFS62 Sep 30 2022 03:28 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

As Monte Irvin said when he reflected on Giant personnel maneuvers of the early 1950s four decades later, “What the hell do you care how old he is as long as he can play?” We hope Francisco can. Nice quote. Later

G-Fafif Oct 12 2022 11:28 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 13 2022 01:45 PM

Masato Yoshii, once managed by Bobby Valentine, will manage a team once managed by Bobby Valentines. https://nordot.app/951045129052307456?c=44591838979519395

MFS62 Oct 12 2022 11:33 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Ex-Mets minor leaguer Pedro Grifol is interviewing for the Marlins' manager position. (reprinted from NJ.com) https://sports.yahoo.com/m/0d1d21f8-0e90-30ec-90ad-681c6f0c053f/former-mets-prospect-to.html Later

G-Fafif Oct 13 2022 01:46 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Masato Yoshii, once managed by Bobby Valentine, will manage a team once managed by Bobby Valentines. https://nordot.app/951045129052307456?c=44591838979519395 And Kaz Matsui is the new manager of the Seibu Lions. https://www.nippon.com/en/news/kd953248991288770560/amp/

Edgy MD Oct 13 2022 02:06 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

With Tsuyoshi Shinjo (Fighters), Kazuhisa Ishii (Golden Eagles), and Shingo Takatsu (Swallows), that's five out of 12 NPB teams currently skippered by Brognas. What we're looking at here is a takeover. You just know it's only a matter of time before Norichika Aoki grabs that opening with the Orix Buffaloes.

stevejrogers Oct 14 2022 09:41 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

BatMagadanLeadoff may have to change handles! Dave Magadan not returning to the Rockies in 2023. So…HireMagadanAsBattingCoach 🤔😉

MFS62 Oct 14 2022 10:33 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Jake Reed was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-jake-reed-claimed-by-boston/ Later

G-Fafif Oct 26 2022 12:22 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Willie Mays documentary preview. Set to debut November 8. [tweet]https://twitter.com/HBO/status/1585330421797208069[/tweet]

MFS62 Nov 01 2022 06:06 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

NBC is reporting that Pedro Grifol is the new manager of the White Sox. Later

G-Fafif Nov 04 2022 11:20 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Super Joe McEwing no longer super in the eyes of White Sox management, let go after long tenure as coach. https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2022/11/2/23437661/white-sox-coach-joe-mcewing-wont-return-in-2023

Lefty Specialist Nov 09 2022 05:36 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Lenny, keeping it classy as always. Lenny Dykstra @LennyDykstra I am sorry about your loss in the election, @laurenboebert. Who knows what funny business was going on!? Anyhow, I know this must be a difficult time, and just keep in mind that you have someone right here to talk to (or whatever other kind of needs you may have right now). DM me? 1:15 PM · Nov 9, 2022 ·Twitter for iPhone

Edgy MD Nov 09 2022 05:47 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Weird-ass place, that Twitter.

duan Nov 10 2022 11:02 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Lefty Specialist wrote: Lenny, keeping it classy as always. Lenny Dykstra @LennyDykstra I am sorry about your loss in the election, @laurenboebert. Who knows what funny business was going on!? Anyhow, I know this must be a difficult time, and just keep in mind that you have someone right here to talk to (or whatever other kind of needs you may have right now). DM me? 1:15 PM · Nov 9, 2022 ·Twitter for iPhone that's pretty icky !

G-Fafif Dec 10 2022 07:44 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

From the News: Harrelson no longer has those memories. And his family and friends no longer try to remind him of his past. He'll always be the player who hit an RBI double in Game 2 of the 1969 NLCS to help send the Mets to the World Series. He'll always be the guy who got in a fight with Pete Rose and sparked a benches-clearing brawl during the 1973 NLCS. Harrelson will always be the person who helped bring professional baseball to Long Island, a particular point of pride for him. The California native made Hauppauge his home after his playing days were over and was influential in making the Long Island Ducks a reality. “Now we visit his reality,” Battaglia said. “He no longer is able to be with us and ours. We don't have a shared reality anymore. So we only guess at what he's feeling.” Harrelson may not be able to speak or make decisions or even live independently anymore, but the one thing he can still do is grip a baseball. Underneath the devastating disease, he's still a ballplayer. https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-bud-harrelson-alzheimers-shamsky-20221210-boukuha2onfazfyowly5jtfpru-story.html

G-Fafif Dec 18 2022 11:01 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

[tweet]https://twitter.com/jordany023/status/1604535808664694786[/tweet]

Edgy MD Dec 21 2022 10:10 PM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: Disgraced short-time Met Kyle Farnsworth is... scouting ballplayers in Uganda, apparently. This is an amusing kind of Twitter thread if you read it, with appearances by Megill's Mom, back and forth between fans, a few funny remarks and a pretty wild opening video [TWEET]https://twitter.com/24_7Farnsworth/status/1522619666543296514[/TWEET] Wondering what has happened to Kyle Farnsworth's famed protege Kasumba Dennis? Well, he's still grinding toward his dream with some intimidating, if questionable, training methods. [TWEET]https://twitter.com/JomboyMedia/status/1590811160752041984[/TWEET]

TransMonk Dec 23 2022 09:57 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/LennyDykstra/status/1606251915909533698[/TWEET]

MFS62 Dec 23 2022 10:05 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/LennyDykstra/status/1606251915909533698[/TWEET] And in a similar move, Willie Sutton's family just tweeted that he has gone 42 years without robbing a bank. Memo to Lenny: The only one who cares is (maybe) your parole officer. Later

Benjamin Grimm Dec 23 2022 11:11 AM Re: Brogna Can You Spare Some Time 2022

It's funny that he thinks that's something to boast about. If I can go another six days, I'll have gone 715 months without being arrested, which will allow me to break Babe Ruth's home run record.