centerfield maz

Saturday July 29th, 2000: At this point in the 2000 season, Bobby Valentine's New York Mets were in second place, five games behind the Atlanta Braves & in the front runner for the Wild Card spot. The Mets had lost their main short stop Rey Ordonez for the rest of the season & were not willing to gamble on the young Melvin Mora to get them to the playoffs.  In a deal with the Baltimore Orioles, the Mets dealt Mora, Mike Kinkade & Leslie Brea in exchange for solid veteran; Mike Bordick. It was a good short-term move, as Bordick solidified the position, hit well enough & did help get the Mets to the World Series.  In the long term Bordick left via free agency signing back with the Orioles. Melvin Mora went on to a fine ten-year career in Baltimore, making two All Star team's the Orioles' Hall of Fame.  Mike Bordick arrived in New York to suit up for a Saturday afternoon matinee at Shea Stadium in front of 50,726 as the Mets hosted Tony LaRussa's ...

  Tuesday, August 1st, 1989 : That season, the NL East was a tough division. At the end of July, the Montreal Expos were on top leading the Chicago Cubs by two games. The St. Louis Cardinals were in third place, five games back with New York Mets right behind them seven games back.  At the trade deadline, the Mets sent the popular Mookie Wilson to Toronto.  On the bright side they acquired Frank Viola from the Minnesota Twins in a blockbuster deal in exchange for Rick Aguilera, Kevin Tapani & David West. 1989 would be the last seasons in New York for aging veterans Keith Hernandez & Gary Carter as well. On this night game the two division rivals went at it, as Davey Johnson's Mets (54-50) went up against Whitey Herzog's Cards (54-48) at Busch Stadium in St. Louis in front of 40,444 fans. The Mets Sid Fernandez (8-3) went up against Scott Terry (7-9). In the top of the 2nd inning, Kevin McReynolds le off with a double to left field, his 20th two bagger of the ...

Thursday July 29th, 2004:  In 1994 Art Howe's Mets would finish fourth at 71-91.  The next year Art Howe would be replaced by Willie Randolph. In the off season the Mets would acquire Pedro Martinez & Carlos Beltran bringing in a new winning era.  In this get away day matinee at Stade Olympique in Montreal, the Mets played Frank Robinson's last place Expos (39-63). The Mets Al Leiter (6-3) took on the Expos Rocky Biddle (2-4). In the top of the 2nd inning, Ty Wigginton singled to center field. Mike Cameron followed with his 20th HR of the year putting the Mets up 2-0.  Eric Valent then hit a ground ball toward first base; he beat Nick Johnson to first base reaching on a single. David Wright doubled to left field, then after David Wright & Al Leiter were retired Todd Zeile drew a walk. Mike Piazza then hit a two-run single into center field giving New York a 4-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd, Mike Cameron hit his second HR of the day, his 21st of his season, mak...

The 1994 baseball season was cut by a disappointing Player Strike that resulted in no post season or World Series being played. For the Mets (55-58) they would finish third under manager D allas Green. The Mets team featured players like Todd Hundley, Bobby Bonilla, Jeff Kent, Bret Saberhagen & John Franco. That year the Mets were celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the 1969 World Champion Amazing Mets. In July they honored the team at the Old Timers Day celebration which was to be the last Old Timers Day for 28 years until revived in 2022. Jerry Koosman & Tom Seaver at the 1994 Mets Old Timers Day Game   celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Amazing Mets. In late June with David Segui struggling at first base, they brought up Rico Brogna who had come over from the Tigers for Alan Zinter.  Brogna was a some what local guy, hailing from Watertown, Connecticut 88.7 miles from Shea Stadium. After starting in just three games, Brogna homered in three straight games ...

July 27th, 1975: After the Mets 1973 Pennant season, the 1974 follow up was a disaster. The club finished 71-91 in fifth place. In the off season the club made some moves to improve run production. They acquired slugger Dave Kingman, who would set a club record hitting 36 HRs.  They acquired Del Unser from Philadelphia in the Tug McGraw trade; Unser became the everyday center fielder batting .294. They also got another outfielder; the speedy Gene Clines from Pittsburgh, he hit just .227.  One of the biggest names to arrive in 1975 was veteran Joe Torre. Torre a native New Yorker was now at the twilight of his career, but the Mets front office had been after him for years. Torre would have his worst season in 1975 batting just .247 with six HRs. In Spring Training 1975 there were a bunch of players who were now fighting for outfield & first base spots on the club.  Ten-year veteran outfielder, Cleon Jones was there as well assuming the left field ...