Later on this morning I will be at Citi field to cover the Mets unveiling of their 50th anniversary. The Mets are expected to unveil their new retro uniforms which are patterned after the original ones from 1962. There is also speculation that the Mets may bring back some sorely missed rituals of Metsdom such as Banner Day and Old Timers Day. I hope to have video as well as pictures up later in the day.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Catcher from the inaugural ’62 team, Harry Chiti, would have been 89 today (1932).
Mets outfielder from ’71-’74, Don Hahn is 63 (1948).
Reserve outfielder from the ’76 season, Leon Brown is 62 (1949) .
Happy 47th birthday to the man who made Shea Stadium electric again during the ’80′s – Dwight “Doc” Gooden (1964)
Middle reliever from the ’01-’02, Mark Corey is 37 (1974).
The New York Mets signed free agent Kevin Mitchell on November 16, 1980. Mitchell is one of those players that you look back on and wonder ‘what could have been” if he wasn’t traded to the Padres for Kevin McReynolds after the the ’86 season.
The New York Mets signed free agent middle reliever, Don Florence of the Boston Red Sox on November 16, 1994.In his lone season with the Mets, Don had a record of 3-0 with a E.R.A of 1.50 in 14 games.
The New York Mets signed free agent second baseman, Damion Easley of the Arizona Diamondbacks on November 16, 2006. Easley turned out to be a good pick up for the Mets. He was originally brought on board to be a utility infielder, but due to injuries to Jose Valentin and Moises Alou- coupled with his clutch bat , his services were utilized almost everyday.
Mo Vaughn is hoping the Mets will put out one of those new retro jerseys in his size – 7XXL !
17 comments
Anonymous
11/16/2011-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
I participated in banner day once (somewhere in the mid-late 70s). Was fun.
MetsFan4Decades
11/16/2011-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
So what did your banner say?
Anonymous
11/16/2011-5:00pm at 5:00 pm (UTC -4)
His banner said:
”Come on Mr. and Mrs. Duda! Have a son already!!!!”
MetsFan4Decades
11/16/2011-9:57pm at 9:57 pm (UTC -4)
hahahaha
and they listened….
SaltyGary
11/16/2011-2:09pm at 2:09 pm (UTC -4)
Probably showing my age, but what is Banner Day?
MetsFan4Decades
11/16/2011-2:59pm at 2:59 pm (UTC -4)
Banner Day at Shea was an event where any fan could make up a homemade banner and they all would parade in from the outfield fence past home plate showing off their clever banners.
It usually was done in between games of a double header on a Sunday, I believe. It ran from the mid 60s until the mid 90s, if I’m not mistaken.
I can’t remember if they voted on the best banner and gave out prizes. Maybe Stick remembers….
Anonymous
11/16/2011-5:01pm at 5:01 pm (UTC -4)
Very much how I remember it, and I do think they gave out a prize for best banner.
Anonymous
11/16/2011-11:23pm at 11:23 pm (UTC -4)
This explains why a 20 year rebuilding effort doesn’t faze you.
MetsFan4Decades
11/16/2011-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
Very cool, Rusty.
I read somewhere this week too that the Mets were considering bringing back banner day.
Kind of pisses me off. Met fans have been asking for banner day and maybe even Old Timer’s day since Citi Field opened. Now….with revenues being down, the likelihood that 2012 will be a ghost town at Cit….now they’re listening?
Sigh…just wish the Wilpons would sell and get it over with. I have no animosity towards them. Tthey made a huge mistake putting all their eggs in one basket with Madoff. They’re clearly not baseball savy either, as evidenced by giving Minaya that extension in late Sep of ’08. Maybe, just maybe – if they had not done that and had gone in a different direction for GM, they could have ridden out losing all that money to Madoff. The team might have been better, revenues at Citi might have been way up. We’ll never know….
Nothing personal but they no longer have the resources available to invest in a baseball team. Just sell to someone who does….
Adam "Prismo"
11/16/2011-5:11pm at 5:11 pm (UTC -4)
But if they pulled out all the stops over the last 2 years and the team still sucked (which it would have), then they’d have nothing left to entice fans this year! I bet they even have more big things planned for next season if need be.
Anonymous
11/17/2011-12:19am at 12:19 am (UTC -4)
Six words for more big things next season:
Anna Benson Foul Pole Dance Night
SaltyGary
11/16/2011-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
I was at a old timers game, I want to say in 87. Memory is real foggy on this but the Mets played the Dodgers for the real game and for the old timers portion I believe Lasorda pitched? I know Mays made a appearance (I think he was in a wheel chair). Tried googling and nothing came up.
Adam "Prismo"
11/16/2011-5:19pm at 5:19 pm (UTC -4)
Anyone else hoping this team makes some trades?
I have little interest in seeing Pagan make mental mistakes in both center-field and on the base paths. Really, same goes with Murphy, though his mistakes are moreso due to lack of certain instincts and athletic abilities. Pelfrey, I think will stay, but I’d love to see him packaged too.
Hell they’ll probably all stay.
SaltyGary
11/16/2011-5:36pm at 5:36 pm (UTC -4)
As long as they improve the teams long term outlook, I am game to trade everyone.
Anonymous
11/16/2011-6:17pm at 6:17 pm (UTC -4)
Honestly, that’s the only true way this team will be better this upcoming year. Clear out some 40 players, send Wright, Pagan, Pelfrey, Murph/Turner packing…
I’d be targeting the A’s SPs or possibly Danks and Colorado’s minor leaguers….
Anonymous
11/17/2011-1:31am at 1:31 am (UTC -4)
I am hoping for a bunch of trades. But I suspect little will happen, which will not please me.
Ceetar
11/16/2011-7:46pm at 7:46 pm (UTC -4)
Today is also the 50th anniversary of the unveiling of the Mets logo.