Countdown to Mets Fantasy Camp 33 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.
#1 Matt Harvey
From Day 1 you could tell there was something different about Matt Harvey, he has the same look in his eyes as Mark Messier, you can tell he hates to lose, he is all business at the Park. He is without a doubt the real deal. The Mets future is riding on his arm, and he seems to not only be fine with it, but he embraces it, that is a hard thing to do in NY. So the #1 spot for 33 was an easy one for me. And on top of all that he is a huge NY Rangers Fan!
#2 Ray Sadecki
Another one of those early 1970's moves that flew under the radar, Mets got Dave Marshall and Ray for Jim Gosger and Bob Heise.Sadecki went on to be what Yogi Berra called a staff saver, he would spot start, he would long relieve he would close, it's hard to believe that Ray was with the Mets for 6 years, appeared in 165 games and only had one losing season (0-1 in 77) as a Met. While Darol Knowles of the A's pitched in all 7 games of the 1973 World Series Ray pitched in four of the seven games of the World Series, and, gained the save in Game Four.
The third spot like #34 before it has some stiff competition as Ron Hunt, Pete Falcone,Eddie Murray and Kelly Stinnett were all in the Mix, but in the end, I have to go with a guy who I have become friends with on Facebook, and look forward to hanging with at this years Fantasy Camp Barry Lyons.Barry was a good defensive catcher and was the opening day catcher in 1990 against the Pirates catching for Doc , barry hit a two run home run in the second give the Mets a lead,but Doc couldn't get out of the 4th giving up 5 runs in what would eventually be a Met opening day loss, The Pirates leadoff hitter that day ? Wally Backman playing third base went 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.
Mets who wore # 33
Ron Hunt
Chuck Estrada
Bob Hendley
Bill Connors
Les Rohr
Ray Sadecki
Mac Scarce
Ken Sanders
Dan Norman
Pete Falcone
Clint Hurdle
Bill Latham
Barry Lyons
Charlie O'Brien
Anthony Young
Eddie Murray
Kelly Stinnett
Andy Tomberlin
Tim Spehr
Mike Kinkade
Bubba Trammell
Donne Wall
Mike Bacsik
Tyler Yates
Mike DiFelice
José Santiago
John Maine
Taylor Buchholz
Vinny Rottino
Matt Harvey
By: Mark Rosenman
WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY Host and Producer
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