Countdown to Mets Fantasy Camp 45 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 are harder then others.

#45

#1 Tug McGraw

You Gotta Believe that Tug McGraw is my no-brainer favorite #45 in Met History, I loved the way he would pound his glove against his thigh as he came off the mound,He was also the first Met Starter to defeat Sandy Koufax. Off the field he he was a reporter for Action News on WPVI,appeared as himself in a 1999 episode of Everybody Loves Raymond along with several other members of the 1969 New York Mets and had a nationally syndicated comic strip "Scroogie". Scroogie was a relief pitcher for the "Pets"

#2

Pedro Martinez

After Boston's World Series triumph in 2004, Martínez became a free agent and signed a 4-year, $53 million contract with the New York Mets. In 2005, his first season as a Met, Martínez posted a 15–8 record with a 2.82 ERA, 208 strikeouts, and a league-leading 0.95 WHIP. It was his sixth league WHIP title, and the fifth time that he led the Major Leagues in the category. Opponents batted .204 against him.During his four-year Met contract, Pedro was 32–23 in 79 starts, with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.

#3

John Franco

The pride of Bensonhurst,During during his time with the Mets, he won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award in 1990, became team captain, and remained the closer until 1999, As a Met he led the league in saves in 1990, and 1994 seasons. He reached the postseason for the first time in 1999 and the World Series in 2000.

Mets who wore #45:

Ron Locke

Tug McGraw

Darrell Sutherland

Tug McGraw

Bill Connors

Rick Baldwin

Butch Metzger

Jeff Reardon

Bob Gibson

Brent Gaff

John Candelaria