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Matt Franco: 2000 N.L. Champion Mets Pinch Hitter / Utility Player (1996 - 2000)

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Matthew Neil Franco was born August 19, 1969, in Santa Monica, California. Matt grew up on West Lake, California & was a star baseball player at West Lake High. In 1987, the six foot two left hand hitting  Franco was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the seventh round. He spent eight years in the minor leagues, taking six years just to get to the AAA level.  MLB Career:   On September 6th, 1995, Franco debuted as a pinch hitter lining out into a double play in 10-4 loss to the Rockies. That September he was 3-13 as a pinch hitter, getting one start where he collected two hits. Overall, he hit .294 (5-17) with an RBI. Mets Career:  At the start of the 1996 season,  Franco was traded to the New York Mets for Chris Dewitt. He hit .321 at AAA Norfolk with 8 HRs & 81 RBIs, getting him a September call up. On September 8th, 1997, Franco  made his Mets debut in Atlanta, playing third base going 0-4. That month he played at third base & was u...
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Danny Heep: 1986 World Champion Mets Outfielder / Pinch HItter (1983-1986)

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Daniel William Heep was born on July 3, 1957, in San Antonio, Texas. The five foot eleven, left hand hitting Heep, began his baseball career as a pitcher. Heep attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, winning two All American honors, while earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He would eventually be elected to the schools Hall of Fame. Heep was drafted as a second-round pick by the Houston Astros in 1978. In 1979 he was the Southern League’s MVP batting .327 with 21 HRs 30 doubles & 84 RBIs at AA Columbus.  Astros Career: Heep got a late season call up, making his MLB debut on August 31st, against the New York Mets. He went 0-1 as a pinch hitter that day popping out to third base, off pitcher Mets Craig Swan. The next year at AAA Tucson in the Pacific Coast League, Heep batted .343 with 17 HRs playing in 96 games. He got back to the Astros for 33 games that year, where he hit .276. 1980 NLCS:   In the 1980 NLCS loss to t...
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Sid Fernandez "El Sid": 1986 World Champion Mets Pitcher (1984 - 1993)

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Charles Sidney Fernandez was born in October 12, 1962, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The left hander threw a no hitter in his first high school start & was drafted by the Los Angele Dodgers in the third round of the 1981 draft, right out of high school. He went 32-11 in three years in the Dodgers minor leagues winning the Texas League Pitching Triple Crown (13 wins, 209 strikeouts, and a 2.28 ERA) in 1983 with the San Antonio Dodgers. Fernandez threw two no hitters in the minor leagues to add to his resume. He was brought up briefly by the Dodgers in 1983 appearing in two games going 0-1. The next year he was traded to the New York Mets for Bob Bailor. Fernandez starting out the season at AAA Tidewater going 10-6. He was brought up to the Mets team in July 1984.  Mets Debut: Fernandez debuted as a Met in Houston on July 16th warning a win allowing just two runs in seven innings of work. That season he quickly settled in to the young Mets rotation by winning his first three ...
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