Countdown to Mets Fantasy Camp 14 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.
Gil Hodges
Truly the only person to wear the number in Mets History, yes Ron Swoboda wore it for a season as did Ken Boyer, but #14 will forever be Gil's. Gil Hodges was the miracle worker he took over the Mets in 1968,up until that point the Mets had 6 straight losing seasons, 5 of which they lost over 100 games,Gil's first season saw a 12 game improvement and then in 1969 the Mets shocked the world winning 100 games and winning the World Series. Gil got the absolute best out of his players, he worked the platoon system better then any other manager. The fact that he is not in the Hall of Fame on the 1969 season alone is amazing but then couple that with the fact that 7 times he had 100+ RBI's in a season. 11 years in a row with over 20 home runs. 8 time all star. 14 grand slams. 3 time gold glove winner and hit more home runs (370) than Hall members: Kiner 369 DiMaggio 361 Mize 359 Berra 358 Greenberg 331 Carter 324 Al Simmons 307, Gil Hodges is a true hall of famer, it is an absolute joke that he is not in the Hall.
Mets who wore #14
Gil Hodges
Ron Swoboda
Ken Boyer
By: Mark Rosenman
WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY Host and Producer
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