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.

#26

#1

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.

#2

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 ?

#3

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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