"He speaks the truth!"
This past weekend I purchased the book “The Mets: A 50th Anniverserary Celebration“. It is published by the New York Daily News, and written by the two Mets beat writers, Anthony McCarron and Andy Martino. I have yet to read the book in it’s entirety ( my review will follow as soon as I finish the book), but there is a passage in the foreward by Ron Darling that I feel sums up the symbiotic relationship between Mets player and fan.
“And now here I am, 30 years later and still lucky enough to have affection from the Mets fans wherever I go. But my perspective has changed. I went from being a player- knowing the business of baseball could send me packing at any moment- to being a lifer. Without realizing it , I’ve shed my boyhood connections to New England teams and traded it in for the Mets colors of this slaphappy band of devoted followers. Metsfans are part chicken little, part Charlie Brown, and part Candide. Hoping for the best with the worst around the corner. When is one of our great pitchers going to throw the first no-hitter, or when is a homegrown everyday player live up to his promise ?”
Wow if there was ever a former player who gets “us” it is Ron !
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today include:
Catcher from the ’62 season, Joe Ginsberg is 85 (1926).
Spot starter/middle reliever from the ’71 season, Charlie Williams is 64 (1947).
One of Omar Minaya’s better trade acquisitions, Orlando “ El Duque” Hernandez is allegedly 46 (1965).
One of the most loved Mets from the first half of this millennium, third baseman, Ty Wigginton is 34 (1977). Ty is currently on the roster of the Colorado Rockies.
Starting pitcher/closer of the future (?) Jenrry Mejia is just 22 (1989).
Sadly on this date in ’06, Mets middle reliever from the ’97 season, Cory Lidle died tragically when his plane crashed into an New York City high rise apartment.
The New York Mets purchased the contracts of middle reliever, Ken MacKenzie and Johnny Antonelli from the Milwaukee Braves on October 11, 1961. Antonelli never played a game as a Met, but he did manage in their farm system from ’70-’76.
The New York Metspurchased the contracts of reserve catcher, Norm Sherry and reserve outfielder, Dick Smith from the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 11, 1962.
The New York Mets purchased the contract of second baseman, Ron Hunt from the Milwaukee Braves on October 11, 1962. In 1963, Ron finished second in the Rookie of the year voting to Pete Rose. He was the first Met ever to start a All-Star Game in 1964.
The Detroit Tigers claimed middle reliever, Pedro Feliciano of the New York Mets on waivers on October 11, 2002. Pedro would later re-sign with the Mets in ’06 and became one of their most consistent relievers.He would sign with the Yankees last season as a free agent, but would never pitch a Major League inning due to a shoulder injury.
Mo Vaughn is lobbying for the Mets Bench Coach opening. He would love to have a job that would require him to sit for 3 hours !
3 comments
Anonymous
10/11/2011-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
Can’t wait for the review. Might have to put this on the Christmas list. Hope my wife likes getting it!
MetsFan4Decades
10/11/2011-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
You’d better have that diamond necklace on the list too – LOL.
MetsFan4Decades
10/11/2011-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
Co written by Andy Marino? This should be an interesting book…..