" Hey Mo !!!"
First off I am proud to say that I survived the ” rapture “.
With the predictions and prognostications of a few end of the world fanatics aside, I would like to bring to your attention that summer is almost hear, and with it comes the hot dogs, green grass and sold out Shea ( I wish that last one still held true).
With the summer rapidly approaching, so does the tendency of newly released songs that will enter our collective consciousness, weaving it’s way until we equate a song with our baseball experience.
Music is synonymous with baseball – especially with the New York Mets . Whether it was the Beatles performing at Shea Stadium in 1964 or the World Series Champion New York Mets singing “You Gotta To Have Heart” on the Ed Sullivan Show. Even with Billy Joel’s “Last Play At Shea” as well as Paul McCartney playing one of the first ever concerts at Citi Field, it reinforces the bond between the Mets and music. When you hear “L.A. Woman” by The Doors or unfortunately ” Who Let The Dogs Out” by The Baha Men you think of the ’99 and ’00 seasons. When you hear ” Taking Care Of Business” by B.T.O you now think of the ’06 season. When you hear “Ghostbusters” “By Ray Parker Jr it transports you back to 1984.
But the Summer song that I will always equate with the Mets is ” The Curly Shuffle” by The Jump In The Saddle Band. This song sends my mind racing back to 1984 when I was 12 and a fixture at Shea Stadium. The song was like a rallying cry to me. It had everything to do with my beloved Mets – yet it had nothing to do with them. I as well as many other fans that grew up during that era cried out in outrage when it was taken out of circulation sometime in the early ’90′s ( only to once in a while make a brief cameo appearance every so often ). It is a song that whenever I hear it brings me back to a August night against the Cubs when Rick Sutcliffe stymied Ron Darling and the Mets during to quote Bruce Springsteen ” a last ditch power drive” during that years pennant race.
It brings me back before my innocence was lost due to Doc and Darryl’s substance abuse, Keith and ” The Kid ” suddenly getting old by ’89 and the realization that ” business of baseball ” was just that – a business.
So what would you say is the song that to you most relates to the summer and the Mets ?
And with that said….. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!
Sadly on this date in 1974, Ernie White – the second pitching coach in Mets history passed away.
The New York Mets released legendary Brooklyn Dodger first baseman, Gil Hodges on May 22, 1963. Gil would retire as a player, but he was soon hired by the Washington Senators as their manager. He would later lead the Mets to their World Series championship.
In what can only be described as one of the best trades in Mets history – The New York Mets traded outfielder, Preston Wilson along with minor league pitching prospects, Geoff Goetz and Ed Yarnall to the Florida Marlins for future Hall of Fame catcher, Mike Piazza on May 22, 1998. This trade was the master stroke that would see the Mets make two straight post season appearances ( ’99 and “00). Mike was the most dangerous hitter in a already stacked lineup. Pitchers cowered in fear whenever Mike stepped up to the plate to the strains of ” The Prisoner” by Iron Maiden.
The New York Mets released middle reliever, Scott Strickland on May 22, 2005. Strickland was last seen pitching for the Marlins last season, and now owns a car repossession company in Florida.
The New York Mets released spot starter/ middle reliever, Jorge Sosa on May 22, 2008. Sosa pitched well for the Mets as a emergency starter during the first few months of the ’07 season. But when he was relocated to the bullpen he was ineffective, and was a major part of the Mets collapse that season. He pitched briefly for the Mets in ’08 , making 20 appearances .
The song that Mo Vaughn equates the most with summer is ” Hot Dog and a Shake” by David Lee Roth !!!!!
6 comments
stickguy
5/22/2011-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
I love the shuffle. Went to a lot of games back in the shuffle days. They need to bring that back.
ajgmets
5/22/2011-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
In 1986 I was a 25 year old guy who was lucky enough to do some work for WHN 1050 which we all know became WFAN in July of 1987 & I know for a fact that no one in the front office from Frank Cashen on down forced the players to participate in what I consider the greatest Mets anthem of all time.
http://bit.ly/aCoqRu….
ajgmets
5/22/2011-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
That link didn’t work but http://bit.ly/jaapu5
metsfan4decades
5/22/2011-12:11pm at 12:11 pm (UTC -4)
Ah…my all time favorite Mets music video.
rustyjr
5/22/2011-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
such a cheesy song – loved the video though lol
metsfan4decades
5/22/2011-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)
Love these reminiscing type articles.
Too many memories now to pick one out.
Living down here on the Jersey shore I didn’t get to many games in my youth and some of those memories are dim now. As a young adult I didnt have the time or the money to get there often. So my memories are more of following the team more than getting to see them play at Shea.
If I got the opportunity, I’ll bet certain sponsors jingles played on the old Channel 9 flag station for the Mets would bring back more memories than anything else. Rheingold beer anyone?