Countdown to Mets Fantasy Camp 12 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.
Juan Lagares
It's funny because if you asked me quick off the top of my head who was your favorite Met to wear #12 I would have instantly said Ken Boswell, but then when I got around to thinking about all the players who wore 12 Boswell didn't even make my top 3. No way did I ever think Lagares would be my number one, but I just love watching this guy play centerfield with that gold glove. He is without a doubt the best defensive centerfielder the Mets have ever had. I am also a big believer that he will continue to improve, last year he upped his average 39 points and his slugging percentage 30 points, and his on base percentage 70 points. The best is yet to come.
John Stearns
One of the hardest nosed players to ever to wear a Mets uniform, a 4 time all-star,he was the heart snd soul of some very bad Mets team.Stearns quickly became a fan favorite for his defensive back-like hard physical play. On June 30, 1978, the Mets defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates with Stearns tagging out Dave Parker to end the game. Parker, who had run over two other catchers in the previous two weeks, suffered a broken cheekbone in the collision with Stearns.
Ron Darling
Ron Darling's place in Mets pitching history is clouded by our love affair with Doc,Met fans never truly fully appreciated what Darling meant to the Mets adn the starting rotation,Darling never missed a start and kept the Mets in every game he pitched,One of the most intelligent pitchers the Mets ever had, As much as he was loved for his days in his Met uniform, he is even more beloved today for being part of the best announcing trio in the majors. Here is my interview with Ron Darling from WLIE 540am SPORTSTALKNY as well as Ron on Kiners Korner below:
Mets who wore #12
Joe Ginsberg
Sammy Drake
Jesse Gonder
Cleon Jones
Johnny Stephenson
Tommy Davis
Ken Boswell
Jack Heidemann
Lee Mazzilli
John Stearns
Ron Darling
Keith Hughes
Willie Randolph
Jeff Kent
Alvaro Espinoza
Shawn Gilbert
Jorge Fabregas
Shawon Dunston
Roberto Alomar
Danny Garcia
Jeff Francoeur
Joaquin Arias
Scott Hairston
Juan Lagares
By: Mark Rosenman
WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY Host and Producer
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