Well it’s the second day of the New Year and I am embarrassed to admit that Mrs. Rustyjr and I turned in at around 10:30 P.M on New Years Eve- but that’s the price that you pay for waking up at around 4 A.M five days a week ! But while I was driving into New York City to visit my father in law who is still in the hospital recovering, it has been ten years since that forever memorable (albeit painful the way it ended) 2000 N.L.D.S team last took the field. Then I began wondering if the Mets high brass that hide in their ivory castle at Citi Field would commemorate this team this season as part of their recent ” Old Timers Day” celebrations? Think about it we can bring back fan favorites such as Bill Pulsipher and Rick Reed,Pat Mahomes and Turk Wendell. I am sure the likes of Dennis Cook, Rick White Todd Pratt, Edgardo Alfonzo, Todd Zeile, Matt Franco ,Timo Perez and Benny Agbayani would clamor to be in attendance. Hell we can even trot out Mike Bordick ,Rey Ordonez, and Armondo Benitez and Al Leiter just for the train wreck factor ! Then I feel that that the leaders of that team – Robin Ventura, John Franco, and the next Met to be inducted into the Hall Of Fame – Mike Piazza should be allowed to give a speech on how special that team was , and even though they didn’t win it all that season – they played their asses off ! While this is going on Bobby Valentine would wear his disguise and there would be a video taped message playing on the Diamond Vision from Mike Hampton saying that he wishes he was there but unfortunately couldn’t attend due to prior commitments.
We would then bring out a giant wooden statue of Roger Clemens, and let Mike Piazza burn it in effigy !!!
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                                                                  ” Roger Clemens feels the heat !”
And with that said – HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!
Happy Birthday wishes go out to original Mets coach – the late Red Kress (1907) .
Happy Birthday to one of my all time favorite Mets – David Cone (1963)!!! I was devastated when he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on that fateful August Day in ’92 for Ryan Thompson and Jeff Kent . And i was sad when he proved to be the shell of his former dominating self when he misguidedly attempted to come back with the Mets in ’03, not even breaking spring training with the team.
New York Mets signed free agent pitcher Mike Birkbeck on January 2, 1992.
Boston Red Sox signed Frank Viola of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 2, 1992. Both Mets brass and fans alike didn’t shed a tear on that day , because it was apparent Viola wasn’t happy playing for the Mets. The worse thoing about it we gave up future major leaugers Kevin Tampani, David West Tim Drummond along with minor leaguer Jack Savage and the man who would be one of the most dominant relievers the Minnesota Twins would ever have – Rick Aguleria!
Chicago White Sox signed pitcher Barry Jones of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 2, 1993.
And don’t forget while you are watching the college bowl games today -there are only 93 more days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.
9 comments
stickguy
1/2/2010-9:46am at 9:46 am (UTC -4)
The 2000 team is a good example for the people of are writing off 2010 to look at. A few studs, and a whole bunch of solid role players and borderline stiffs that happened to have good (or career) years.
Too bad it also points out the benefit to playing good D all over the field, and having a manager with a clue…
rustyjr
1/2/2010-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
totally agree – we had a outfield of hamilton timo jay payton and benny back then – what we have now is vastly superior – we just need a solid number 2 and a strong defensively mined infield to compete !
rustyjr
1/2/2010-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
just got this from around the hornbaseball.com
The Cubs signed Marlon Byrd last week and now the attention on the North side is focused getting on some starting pitching and relief help.
I’ve been making some calls over the past few days and there has been a quite underground tone to a constant general theme and that theme is Carlos Zambrano for 2B Luis Castillo, AAA OF Fernando Martinez and a AA prospect.
Everyone knows that the Cubs are trying to unload the Salary of Carlos Zambrano.
Everyone knows that the Mets are trying to unload the salary of Luis Castillo, (although that’s on a lesser scale.)
While I have no specific information about any official offers made at this point by either side, we all know that the above facts about wanting to move Zambrano and Castillo are true and this scenario seems detailed enough and logical enough to have some legs. Generally when there is smoke there is fire and there is smoke.
I actually think that this trade makes a lot of sense for both teams and would do this in a heart beat if I was either side.
Unlike many, I think that Castillo actually can have some value as a number two hitter. He puts the ball in play, is a high on base guy, and despite him dropping the ball against the Yankees he’s exceptional at fielding his position.
As for Martinez, there have been so many “top prospects” that the Mets seem to have had that never panned out. I wouldn’t hesitate to trade him. As we saw last year, even if he will amount to something, he is certainly over matched at this point. Besides Reyes and Wright, who have the Mets waited for and held on to that panned out? And the truth is they didn’t have to “wait” as they were ready at a young age.
As for Zambrano, he’s been over used and worn down in Chicago and his welcome has worn out. He knows it, the fans know it and the team knows it. He probably has something left in the tank and a change of scenery would be great for him. Nothing motivates an athlete more than not being wanted anymore and the drive to prove the team wrong that got rid of you. He’s been an ace on “big city” team and coming from Chicago would definitely be able to handle the stress of the circus that is the NY media market.
The Mets need this type pitcher to back up Johan Santana in the worst way. They didn’t get Roy Halladay; they didn’t get John Lackey; they need to get Carlos Zambrano. Forget about filling the new stadium and supporting the new TV network, with the Phillies getting Halladay, they need to do this more than ever.
This is a trade that makes sense and it appears to reach the objectives of all.
If the Jets don’t make the playoffs, you can be sure that airwaves in NY will be a filled with the name Carlos Zambrano. – Brian James
id do this trade in a minute – the AA prospect in my opinion could be a holt or a kunz
stickguy
1/2/2010-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
interesting idea. ALthough IMO there is a huge difference between Holt and Kunz as the prospect!
Chicago might have to throw in some $$ to make it work, especailly if the Mets are going to turn around and waste money signing Hudson.
I really hate to give up on Martinez, but since they are getting rid of slappy too, it makes it more palatable. Maybe they could do Castillo + AA guy if the Mets ate the entire salary?
also not sure what to expect out of Zambrano at this point, but the idea of adding hi to the top of the rotation is intriquing. Plus, while a ton of money, it is only 3 years.
you also absolutley have to keep Pelf as the cheap SP to balance things out. And I assume it locks yo into Murphy. Too bad Havens isn’t ready for a shot at 2B though to free up more $$.
paul
1/2/2010-5:59pm at 5:59 pm (UTC -4)
Carlos Zambrano is a pipe dream. He’s got a full no-trade clause, and he wasn’t interested in waiving it to go to the Yankees — and they’re pretty much guaranteed a playoff spot. What makes you think he’d want to come to the Mets?
CaseStreet
1/2/2010-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
Has it been 10 years already? Wow.
The big z trade would be nice, but I’d imagine the mets won’t trade Martinez because they’ve been so reluctant to include him in any package.
Kingman 26
1/2/2010-5:15pm at 5:15 pm (UTC -4)
Nice work as usual Rusty!
I loved Old Timer’s Day as a kid, even Yankee ones (yeah, they were even better than Phillie Old Timer’s Days, believe it or not)…you know how I feel about the team honoring its history, and the 2006 celebration for the 86 team was one of the most amazing days at Shea for me….Old Timer’s Day should be back!
Damn, a decade since the great Piazza/Fonzie teams. That’s crazy.
I think that wooden statue of Clemens should be stood up and each of the pitchers from that Met staff be given a burning baseball and see if one of them has the stones to hit the Clemens statue–better late than never!
Happy New Year everyone!
paul
1/2/2010-5:57pm at 5:57 pm (UTC -4)
The Mets definitely need to commemorate the 2000 NL Champs this year. I don’t care if it’s via a proper old-timers day, or just a ceremony like the 1969 team got last year.
prismo
1/2/2010-10:01pm at 10:01 pm (UTC -4)
I believe you’re a new commenter! Welcome Paul!