Countdown to Mets Fantasy Camp 43,42,41 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.

#43

#1 Jim McAndrew

Or as Bob Murphy would say Jim McAndrew from the town of Lost Nation Iowa

1970 says it all for Jim , he led the pitching staff in shutouts and also led the staff in losses. He was amazing down the stretch in 1969 so much so that Leo Durocher in reflecting on the 1969 season said "How many people remember, I wonder, that Jim McAndrew, the Mets' number 5 pitcher, had consecutive wins of 1-0, 2-1, 6-0, 3-0? To my way of thinking, it isn't fair to the Mets to say we lost it. The Mets won it.'

#2

R.A. Dickey

I had the pleasure of covering RA during his Cy Young award season, and got a chance to talk to him in depth about the art of the knuckleball. Ra's story and his quest to make it back to the majors and winning the Cy Young was one of the best Met Stories in years.

#42

#1

Ron Taylor

For some reason Ron Taylor was the guy we imitated as kids, his side kick I guess was easier then Seavers, drop and drive or Marichal's high leg kick, 9-4 13 saves in 1969, make him a big part of the Miracle Mets

#2

Rodger Mcdowell

When he wasn't giving Hot foots in the dugout he was out on the mound. Like Taylor a huge part of a Championship Mets team, 14-9 with 22 saves oit of the Bullpen for the 1986 Mets.

#3

Butch Huskey

Another one of late 90's Mets that probably don't get the respect they are due, Butch had an amazing 1997 season despite moving form both corner of positions to first base, to third base, he still strung together 24 home runs 81 RBIs and a .287 batting Average.

#41

#1

There is only 1 real #41 in Mets History, George Thomas Seaver, the first superstar I ever really knew. The best Met there ever was PERIOD!

Mets who wore #43

Ted Schreiber

Bill Wakefield Darrell Sutherland Dick Rusteck Darrell Sutherland Joe Grzenda Jim McAndrew Paul Siebert Juan Berenguer Terry Leach Billy Beane John Gibbons John Mitchell Kevin Brown Dan Schatzeder Doug Simons Mark Dewey Mickey Weston Mike Remlinger Paul Byrd Toby Borland Todd Pratt John Hudek Rigo Beltran Pete Walker Jaime Cerda Shane Spencer Bartolome Fortunato Royce Ring Jason Vargas Brian Stokes R. A. Dickey Sean Henn

Mets who wore #42

Larry Elliot

Ron Taylor

Chuck Taylor

Hank Webb

Ron Hodges

Tom Hall

Ron Hodges

Roger McDowell

Butch Huskey

Mo Vaughn

Mets who wore # 41

Clem Labine

Grover Powell

Jim Bethke

Gordie Richardson

Tom Seaver

By: Mark Rosenman

WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY Host and Producer

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