Countdown to Mets Fantasy Camp 17 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.
Keith Hernandez
Some players get labeled the Franchise, Keith should be labeled the Turning Point,acquired in 1983 a season in which the Mets lost close to 100 games, Keith signaled that better times and better players where on the way, his professionalism his approach to the game had a trickle down effect on key players already on the team. The following season the Mets went from a team nearly losing 100 games to a team that won 90, and 2 years later they were World Champions.Mex was a true leader,there was no one you wanted up at the plate in a clutch situation and no where else on the infield you wanted the ball hit to with bases loaded and the game on the line then Keith. Plus he solved the mystery of "Magic Loogie Theory"
Felix Millan
Consistency,that is what Felix Millan brought to the Mets when they made the trade with the Braves that brought The Cat and George Stone for Danny Frisella and Gary Gentry in the Winter of 1972, for the next 3 seasons #17 was penciled into the #2 spot in the lineup everyday he played, even more amazing out of the 657 games he started only 33 where not in the 2 hole.5 seasons Felix brought a gold glove and a consistent bat to the Mets lineup hitting .278 and then .316 in the League Championship.
Ellis Valentine
Maybe the first 5 tool player in the history of the Mets,Eliis had an absolute cannon, without a doubt the best arm of any Met Outfielder in History.Injuries hurt him his first season with the Mets but he put together a nice 2nd season showing some of his power, the Mets failed to resign him when he was a free agent and he once again showed flashes with the Angels, but he was out of the league the following season at age 30.
Mets who wore #17
Don Zimmer
Choo Choo Coleman
Frank Lary
Dennis Ribant
Jimmie Schaffer
Dick Stuart
Larry Elliot
Don Bosch
Rod Gaspar
Ted Martinez
Felix Millan
Gil Flores
Jerry Morales
Ellis Valentine
Keith Hernandez
David Cone
Jeff McKnight
Bret Saberhagen
Brent Mayne
Luis Lopez
Mike Bordick
Kevin Appier
Satoru Komiyama
Graeme Lloyd
Jason Anderson
Wilson Delgado
Dae-Sung Koo
José Lima
David Newhan
Fernando Tatis
By: Mark Rosenman
WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY Host and Producer
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