@dtwohig’s Autographed Baseball Cards: Postscript

As I mentioned back on August 2oth when this series started, about 40% of the players I mailed cards to sent them back signed.  The vast majority of the remaining cards I never received back.  In several cases though I did receive requests for money:

  • Ray Burris asked for $5 with the money going to his stepson fighting in Afghanistan
  • Randy Jones enclosed a price list from Major League Protection Systems
  • Jerry Koosman asked for a $10 donation for charity
  • Mickey Lolich’s wife wrote me a note back asking for $10 per card
  • Elliot Maddox asked for $5 per card
  • Mike Marshall sent back a pre-printed note referring me to an official representative that sells his merchandise
  • Amos Otis just wrote “$5 per card”
  • Ron Swoboda sent a pre-printed note requesting $5 per card – and initialed it
  • Mike Torrez wrote “Dan, $10 per auto”

 

The @metspolice softball team gets national attention for Byrdak offer

Before we get to the video let me just say that we’re not out to be a bunch of a-holes with this.  The backstory – one day Mike Francesca was saying that he knew the Mets made Drew an offer or something like that – so I riffed that the Mets Police Softball Team officially offers Drew $1000 to play shortstop.  (That offer is still there if Scott Boras would like to talk or “play the media” {watch Rocky}).

So the other day @mets_bro extended an offer to Tim Byrdak after Byrdak took to twitter looking for a job.  Byrdak actually responded on twitter that it was an offer.

And now this has happened…

 

Oh my.

So all good fun.  We’re not out to pick on Byrdak or anything.  However, I wait word from Boras if he will take the offer for Drew.

Let me say this…if we are able to sign Drew and Byrdak, the Mets Police Softball Team will run away with the league. Who you got Amazin’ Avenue?

Steal this concept for 11:30 on SNY: The Daily Show meets The Mets

Here’s an idea that popped into my mind today.

A late night show on SNY.  Think “The Daily Show meets The Mets.”

 

Host: local NYC comedian who knows the Mets.  I don’t mean Seinfeld…this has to be done on budget.  There are a thousand working comics in NYC who would love to have a steady gig.

 

Where: recorded at Citi Field.  A desk, a chair and a camera.

 

How (Home Games):  For purposes of discussion assume a night-game during the week.  We could argue about weekends and days off and all that but since this idea will never happen let’s skip all that for now.  It’s also hard to do these without an audience…although for home games maybe you do it at McFadden’s?  Hmmm.

The host gets to Citi Field at normal media arrival time.  Whenever Burkhardt gets there this guy gets there.  Armed with his (or her) comedic skill and camera they have pre-game to look for funny Man on the Street stuff in the stands.  Or pre-tabs some celebrities who are coming to the game (Mets offer tickets, celeb does quick hit.)

Then watch the game and get ready to make fun of the parts that are make funnable.  This is not an insurmountable task.  We all do it on twitter every game.  It doesn’t have to be mean…but a picture of Ike Davis in a cowboy hat or Matt Harvey in a towel begs for some riffs.

After the game – rip off Kiner’s Korner.  Tape a quick segment with the star of the game.

Now 11:30 comes….do a three joke monologue about the game.  Sit at desk.  Roll “highlights” and goof on them.   Commercials.  Run the “Kiner’s Korner” tape. Commercials.  Run the “man on the street” stuff.  Commercials.  Say good night.

 

Harder (Away Games): again since this isn’t going to happen I don’t want to rack my brain too hard (although if SNY wants me to I like money).  Maybe you take it on the road.  Maybe you just do it on the Citi Field set and have someone at the road game grab an interview over the uplink.  I’d have to think it through.  Maybe you start out small and just don’t do it after away games.

 

Harder Still (Finances):  over at SNY they are reading this wondering how the hell they could pay for such a thing or how they could make money off it.  Why not just replay SportsNite?   I get it.

I don’t know.  Its just an idea.  But it could be a cool idea.  Remember this gem from Fallon?

Harvey

 

Again I concede plenty of kinks to work out..but I like the idea from pure-creative.

Howie Rose ‘invigorated’ by Mets’ move from WFAN to WOR – Newsday

I missed this one a few days ago – a tip of an upside-down upside-down P to Greg Prince for highlighting it.

“Right now, I feel like I can go on forever,” he said. “It would be presumptuous of me to think that’s my call. I’m just the hired help. But I have every intention of working until I can no longer physically do it or until such time that it’s evident that maybe I can’t hit the fastball anymore.”

via Howie Rose ‘invigorated’ by Mets’ move from WFAN to WOR – Newsday.

Let’s keep Howie and Josh around for as long as possible…and when it is time for Howie to dial it back then Josh can continue with the new guy.  Y’all forget that Gary Cohen was the guy they called up from Triple-A to partner with Bob Murphy.

A theory on Curtis Granderson’s ripped Mets shirt

This tweet came my way

 

And some are asking why.

Well, I don’t know how the shirt came to be ripped. I don’t pay enough attention to know if there is normally a Nike logo there. So I did some Googling..

New Balance Announces Partnership with All-Star Curtis Granderson

April 13th 2012

Boston, MA –

Global athletic leader New Balance announced today the signing of All-Star center fielder, Curtis Granderson, to a multi-year endorsement contract. New Balance will be Granderson’s official on-field footwear and off-field athletic footwear and apparel provider.

“I’m excited to partner with New Balance. Their cleats are comfortable and I feel good knowing I can put on a brand new pair before a game and be ready to play right away.” says Granderson. “Another major factor that drove me towards New Balance is the company’s commitment to giving back. Their support of my Grand Kids Foundation will help me take my charity to the next level.”

So I bet that’s it.  But pure speculation.  Maybe the shirt got torn in the wash.