Facebook Group created to Retire Gary Carter’s number

In the wake of the reports about Gary Carter’s health, Mets fan Stephen Macomber has started a Facebook page to get his number retired.

From the Facebook page’s description:

An attempt to give a voice and force behind getting Gary Carter’s #8 retired by the NY Mets. In the History of the team there has been no greater force behind the plate. He was essential part of the 1986 WSC team. Lets get him this Honor.

Here is the link if you want to check it out.

Keith Hernandez says Mets’ crunch of off-field personal appearances hurting on-field performance

One thing that came up a few times during the week is how much off-field Wright (and others do).

I’ve never been a major leaguer.  Keith Hernandez was the captain of the Mets, so I take what he says seriously.

“I have always felt that for too long the Mets have, you know, done a little bit too much with the players (in terms of personal appearances) during the season,” Hernandez said. “The players have to play baseball. And it’s a long grueling season. David has always been there for the organization.”

via Keith Hernandez says Mets’ crunch of off-field personal appearances hurting on-field performance.

All the more reason to praise all the Mets who will take part in Teammates in the Community.

TEAMMATES WEEK KICKS OFF MONDAY:  Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson, Mike Pelfrey, Justin Turner and JasonIsringhausen will kick off the 2011 “Teammates in the CommunityWeek” tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. with a trip to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum located at Pier 86 in Manhattan…Alderson will lay acommemorative wreath for Intrepid former crew members…Manager Terry Collins, players and front-office staff will join with Citi executivesand participate in programs during the week with active military personnel and veterans…The rest of the week will include a softbal ltournament at Citi Field with members of the U.S. Army, Navy, AirForce and Marines, a wheelchair softball exhibition in the Citi Field parking lot featuring veterans, a visit to a Veterans Hospital and aspecial ceremony at the Empire State Building.

Dana Brand, ‘the Proust of Mets Bloggers,’ Dies at 56 – NYTimes.com

I am sad at his passing, but in a strange way glad that Dana is getting his due.  Here’s a proper article in the New York Times.  In death, Dana’s fandom becomes even stronger.

He was 7 ½ years old, sitting in his room, riveted to his family’s portable radio and wearing his little plastic baseball glove. It was 1962, and Dana Brand was listening to the Mets’ inaugural game, and so began a love affair that would last until his death on Wednesday at 56.

via Dana Brand, ‘the Proust of Mets Bloggers,’ Dies at 56 – NYTimes.com.

When the time for mourning has passed, let’s get together and rock out the 50th Anniversary Conference in his memory.

This Mets era isn’t in top five for futility – NYPOST.com

There’s an awful lot of good Mets stuff in the papers today – I have a new post scheduled every half hour for the next few hours.

In the Post, Mike Vaccaro relates the worst 5 eras in NY baseball history.  You should read the entire article, but here’s the one I cut my teeth on.

1. Mets, 1977-83 (average season: 66-96)

How bad was it? Pretty damned awful. Tom Seaver was traded June 15, 1977, ushering in an era of uber-dreadful baseball. The only spasm of hope came in 1980, when they crawled within one game of .500 on Aug. 13 (56-57) . . . and then lost seven straight and 25 of 28. Rock bottom was 1979, when attendance bottomed out at 788,905 — an average of 11,111 for 71 dates at 55,000-seat Shea Stadium.

via This Mets era isn’t in top five for futility – NYPOST.com.

And since I became a Mets fan DURING that era, nothing is going to chase me.  Seen it all, been there.  Watched The Franchise leave, saw him come back.  You kids will get a taste this July, and you might even get a taste in 2012-13 (plus or minus Sandy and attendance).

The more I blog the more I realize everything is about my childhood.  My dad took me to Mets games, I wore a blue Mets jacket and I had a dog.

 

Mets Police Mom Mets jacket

 

35 years later, I take my son to Mets games, I wear a Mitchell & Ness jacket in place of the one that no longer fits (seen here on Mets Police Mom – that’s my childhood jacket).  I have two dogs and have had a dog every day of my life since Seaver was on the Mets the second time.

Speaking of Mets Police Mom – she actually asked me if she could have my tickets for this week.  She wants to give them to two Marines who are in town for the week.  How could I say no?

Meanwhile, I was going to try to really the Blue Cap Army for June 18th (when the Mets are giving away blue caps) – then Mrs. MP reminded me that I am out of town that week.  Maybe Colonel MediaGoon can rally the troops.  I gave him my seats.  I told him I want the cap though.

And I applaud Mr. Einhorn for wearing a blue cap and not the dumb hybrid…but we have to teach him to get a better looking one, not one with the Nike swoosh on the front.  One battle at a time.