Countdown to Mets Fantasy Camp 7 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.
Hubie Brooks
At the time he was traded Hubie was my favorite Met,the fact he was traded for my favorite player in the majors made it easier to accept, but Hubie Brooks and Mookie WIlson were the first real home grown talent to arrive at Shea in a long long time, After 61 Third baseman had come and gone after back to back .300 plus seasons it appeared the Mets finally had the third basemen the always searched for. I wish there was someway the Mets could have kept Hubie and still gotten Gary Carter. Here is an interview I did with Hubie in the early 80's.
José Reyes
As great as Rey Ordóñez was at short,he never could hit, so now add the grace of Rey and add a quality bat to that and add in a stolen base threat and now you have the complete package. That Complete package was Jose Reyes. Reyes was the most dynamic exciting player the Mets had in a decade. Over 9 years with the Mets Jose hit .292, including his league leading .337 average in his last season with the Mets.
Todd Pratt
Todd Pratt will forever be etched in Met Fans memories for game 4 of the National League Division Series in 1999 against Arizona.Mike Piazza was out of the lineup because of a thumb injury, Game 4, with the score tied in the bottom of the 10th, Tanks hits a long fly ball to deep center field. Diamondbacks outfielder Steve Finley leaped, extended his glove over the wall, and, as he landed on the warning track, looks into his glove to see if the ball was there. although it was only a split second it seemed like forever before anyone knew if the ball was caught. When Finley slumped against the wall, and in that instant every Met fan knew it was onto the NLCS against Atlanta.
Mets who wore # 7
Elio Chacon
Chico Fernandez
Ed Kranepool
Hubie Brooks
John Christensen
Kevin Mitchell
Clint Hurdle
Juan Samuel
Chuck Carr
Daryl Boston
D. J. Dozier
Jeff McKnight
Bobby Wine
Charlie Greene
Todd Pratt
Gary Bennett
Jason Phillips
José Reyes
Bob Geren
By: Mark Rosenman
WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY Host and Producer
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