Countdown to Mets Fantasy Camp 26 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.
Dave Kingman
The Mets first true home run hitter,Kong somehow was able to hit 154 home runs over 6 seasons as a Met while hitting .219. His home runs were something to behold,absolute moonshots, the one I remember most was his Spring Training shot against Catfish Hunter and the Yankees. Hard to believe that he played for 6 different teams, most of them with the Mets, he hit most of his 442 home runs with the Mets.
Terry Leach
Without a doubt the most underrated player in Mets history, a .727 winning percentage from a 24-9 record over 7 seasons, Of the 176 games he appeared in 18 of them were spot starts, in those 18 3 of them were complete game shutouts, the Mets were 15-3 in games that Terry pitched. Wonder what he would have made in todays market coming out of an 11-1 1987 season ?
Rico Brogna
Rico Suave was a nice addition to the 1994 Mets, he was acquired from the Detroit Tigers for Alan Zinter and went on to hit .351 in 39 games that season, The following season he played 134 games and led the Mets in almost every statistical category as well as playing great defense at first.He was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis,a form of spinal arthritis, and had to take medication for the condition on a daily basis. Concerns surrounding his condition contributed to the decision of the Mets to trade him to the Phillies during the 1996 offseason,of course he would go onto to have good years with the Phils including 2 100 plus rbi seasons.
Mets who wore #26
Herb Moford
Vinegar Bend Mizell
Galen Cisco
Bob Shaw
Bill Graham
Amos Otis
Bruce Boisclair
Dave Kingman
Mike Bruhert
Ray Burris
Scott Holman
Bill Robinson
Terry Leach
Kevin Tapani
Frank Viola
Alejandro Peña
Barry Foote
Ced Landrum
Rico Brogna
Barry Manuel
Ralph Milliard
Terrence Long
Billy Taylor
Jon Nunnally
David Lamb
Jason Phillips
Marco Scutaro
Jae Seo
Orlando Hernandez
Ramon Martinez
Fernando Martinez
Tom Goodwin
By: Mark Rosenman
WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY Host and Producer
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