Countdown to Mets Fantasy Camp 30 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.
Cliff Floyd
The anti Bobby Bonilla, The guy constantly played hurt and yet was used primarily as the teams clean up hitter for the bulk of his 4 seasons as a Met. When healthy he was one of the most feared hitters in the game as evidenced by his 2005 numbers, 34 home runs 9 RBIs. aside from his talent on the field Cliff Floyd was the rare individual who not only handled the pressure of NY and a big contract, he embraced it, he was one of the most honest and upbeat players to ever play for the Mets. Here is our interview with Cliff Floyd.
Nolan Ryan
Ok so most , Ok so all of Nolan's greatness happened for other teams, however he was still a Met and started his amazing 27 year Hall of Fame Career as a Met. It's hard to believe that the Ryan Express pitched in 105 games for the Mets, 74 as a starter,while he did show promise with the Mets 493 strikeouts in 503 innings he also was extremely wild,walking 344 and hitting another 24 and 23 wild pitches, based on his 29-38 record and 3.58 ERA (his highest of the 4 teams he pitched for) no one could ever expect what he would become over the next 22 years.
Mel Stottlemyre
Maybe one of the most underrated pitchers to have ever pitched in NY, he arrived a decade too late he was a stud pitcher for some really bad Yankee teams,collecting 3 20 win seasons,He was also a very good hitting pitcher, once collecting 5 hits in a game and hitting a grand slam against another future Met pitching Coach Bill Monbouquette He also may have been a decade too late when it comes to recognition of the role of pitching coach, while Leo Mazzone got all the ink, Mel was mentor to a young staff that included Doc Gooden, Ron Darling, Sid Fernandez and Bob Ojeda.
Mets who wore #30
Dennis Ribant
Nolan Ryan
Hank Webb
Bob Miller
Hank Webb
Jackson Todd
Mike Scott
Mike Torrez
Mel Stottlemyre
Doug Linton
Alberto Castillo
Allen Watson
Jorge Toca
Cliff Floyd
Aaron Sele
Raul Casanova
Josh Thole
David Aardsma
Andrew Brown
By: Mark Rosenman
WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY Host and Producer
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