Countdown to Mets Fantasy Camp 53 Days to Go.
Every year for the last 3 years as Spring gives way to Fall, Mets season merges into NY Rangers season, I have been able to keep the baseball side of my brain occupied with thoughts of Mets Fantasy Camp. This year more so then ever, in the past I have simply gone down to cover the week long camp as a reporter, this season I am headed down to actually participate as a player. Each year I have tried to find unique ways of counting down the days until camp and sharing them with Mets fans, So this year I will do the countdown by Jersey numbers, When possible I will post my 3 favorite Mets who have worn that number, some numbers may only yield one player.Feel free to post your favorites as well.In the Words of Casey Kasem now on with the countdown...
#1 Eric Hillman
You would think the Ruby Walker rule would apply here and that Eddie Yost who was the Mets third base coach from the time I was eight years old till I was 16 would be my favorite but that distinction goes to a 6-10 Left handed pitcher with a career .222 winning percentage who without a doubt is my favorite Met to ever wore #53. First off all to really appreciate Eric Hillman's time as a Met you need to examine the teams he was on, He went 2-9 one year while having a respectable 3.97 ERA. He is without a doubt one of the most honest, fun loving, down to earth athlete I have ever met. He has a great sense of humor and could easily be a stand up comedian. He was a far better pitcher then his numbers indicate .To this day he is still one of our most popular downloads from his February 1st 2012 appearance on our show, You can listen to it here.
** Note that this was prior to our radio days so there is some questionable language.
#2 Bobby Abreu
While Bobby's time a Met was fleeting, his professionalism is something I admired. Being around the team and seeing the effect he had on the younger players this season was a breath of fresh air. The fact that he went back to the minors just so he could be called back up in September shows you how much he loved playing the game. I was lucky enough to talk to him about it. You can view that interview here.
# 3 Eddie Yost
So the Rube Walker rule gets Eddie the # 3 spot, as from the time I was 8 till the time I was 16, 8 seasons 1296 games he was the only 3rd base coach I ever knew, for that reason and that reason alone he gets the third spot.
Who are your favorite 53s
Other Mets who have worn #53
Rogers Hornsby
Ernie White
Mel Harder
Sheriff Robinson
Eddie Yost
Tom Burgess
Dal Maxvill
Chuck Cottier
Bud Harrelson
Bobby Valentine
Eric Hillman
Rafael Landestoy
Tom Robson
Mickey Brantley
Dave Engle
Mark Guthrie
Vern Ruhle
Jerry Manuel
Chad Bradford
Jeremy Hefner
Bobby Abreu
By: Mark Rosenman
WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY Host and Producer
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