Countdown to Mets Fantasy Camp 6 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. #6 is the most worn number in Met History.
#6
#1
Wally Backman
The baseball players player. Wally played by the adage if his uniform wasn't dirty then he didn't play the game right that day. Never the most gifted player on the field, but always the one giving the biggest effort. 9 seasons with the Mets, he gave them solid d and a dependable bat as well as a base stealing threat. Wally continues his winning ways as a manager in the Mets system, and I look forward to the day when he becomes a Met manager and wins another ring. Here is an interview with Wally from the early 80's and then 2013.
#2
Marlon Byrd
Two of Sandy Alderson's best moves, first signing him and then trading him. Sandy got everything and more out of Marlon as he led the Mets. with 21 home runs in 2013,before he was traded along with John Buck for Vic Black and Dilson Herrera in August. Here is an interview I did with him from April 2013.
#3
Melvin Mora/Timo Perez
Basically they are one and the same, Melvin went on to have a very good major league career while Timo will be remembered for his awful base running in the 2000 World Series as well as his road to the major leagues which included several unique stops along the way
Mets who wore #6
Jim Marshall
Cliff Cook
Rick Herrscher
Larry Burright
Bobby Klaus
Lou Klimchock
Jim Hickman
Bart Shirley
Bob Johnson
Al Weis
Greg Harts
Rich Puig
Mike Vail
José Cardenal
Wally Backman
Mike Marshall
Alex Treviño
Darren Reed
Daryl Boston
Joe Orsulak
Carlos Baerga
Manny Alexander
Carlos Mendoza
Rich Becker
Tony Phillips
Melvin Mora
Timo Perez
Ricky Gutierrez
Gerald Williams
Tom Wilson
Jeff Keppinger
Mike DiFelice
Ruben Gotay
Gustavo Molina
Nick Evans
Abraham Nuñez
Trot Nixon
Omar Quintanilla
Kelly Shoppach
Marlon Byrd
Matt den Dekker
By: Mark Rosenman
WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY Host and Producer
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