centerfield maz

Michael James Jacobs was born October 30, 1980 in Chula Vista California.  The six foot three inch, left hand hitter, was originally selected by the New York Mets as a catcher in the 38th round of the 1999 draft. By 2003 he had developed into a power hitter (17 HRs) and won the Sterling Award as the Mets top prospect. In 2004 he suffered a torn labrum while at AAA Norfolk and the next season learned how to play first base. In 2005 he hit 25 HRs with 93 RBIs at AA Binghamton, getting called up to the Mets in August, to replace Doug Mientkiewicz and help solve the first base problem. He made his MLB debut on August 21st, in a game against the Washington Nationals. He became the fourth Met in history to homer in his first MLB at bat, bashing one off Esteban Loiza. Two days later during a four game sweep in Arizona, Jacobs homered again. The following day he hit two more HRs, both coming off Claudio Vargas in the Mets 14-1 win. In that game Jacobs set an MLB record hitting four HR

William Harold Terry was born on October 30, 1898 in Atlanta, Georgia. "Memphis Bill"  as he was known, began his playing career as pitcher while he was still a teenager. By 1922 the Toledo Mud Hens signed Terry & they converted to a full time first baseman. But his best asset was that he was a fantastic hitter. That year in the minor leagues, he batted .377 with 15 HRs & was quickly brought up to the New York Giants MLB team by mid September. The following season he was backup at first base to Giants Hall of Famer; George “High Pockets” Kelly, batting .239 with 5 HRs & 24 RBIs in 77 games. The '24 Giants won the pennant and faced the Washington Senators in the World Series. 1924 World Series: In Game #1 of the World Series, he got the start at first base, as "High Pockets" Kelly played outfield & second base. Terry had a big day, collecting three hits, including a 4th inning HR off "The Big Train" Walter Johnson in the Gi

Braden Laverne Looper was born October 28, 1974 in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He is one of the few Mets to be born in Oklahoma and one of very few players to have a middle name of Laverne. Looper was no dummy a smart student graduating in the National Honor Society. He was a scholar, as well as a four letter man in High school. The six foot four right handed pitcher attended Wichita State, earning All American honors going to the College World Series and later getting elected to the Wichita Hall of Fame. In 1996 he was part of the bronze winning US Olympic baseball team in Atlanta. The tall six foot five right hander was originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1996 as a first round selection the third pick overall. Two years later he was traded to the Florida Marlins with Armando Almanza and Pablo Ozuna for Edgar Renteria.  Looper debuted during the 200 season as a mid reliever in going 5-1, with 18 hold as the set up man to Antonio Alfonseca. He remained in that role b

Timothy Paul Bogar was born October 28, 1966 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended East Illinois University getting drafted by the New York Mets in the 8th round of the 1987 draft. He spent six years in the minors having his best year at A ball Columbia in 1988 batting .282. Bogar was a member of the last AAA Tidewater Tides team before they moved over to Norfolk. He was one of the teams top hitters batting .279 behind Jeff McNight (.307) Chris Donnels (.301) & Steve Springer (.290) . Bogar made the Mets in 1993 debuting as a pinch hitter at Shea Stadium against the San Francisco Giants. The versatile Bogar would play all infield & outfield positions for the Mets from 1993-1996. One of his biggest days at the plate came on August 1st, 1993 in his rookie year. He hit a pair of HRs & had four hits in Philadelphia in a game against the Phillies. He would only hit 6 HRs in 491 at bats in his entire Mets career. Unfortunately he got injured and was sidelined for the r

Thomas Javier Rivera known as T.J. Rivera was born October 27th, 1988 off Westchester Avenue, in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx, New York. Along with Johnny Monell, he was one of two Mets on the 2016 roster who were born in the Bronx, Ed Kranepool must be proud! The six foot one infielder, attended Lehman High School in the Bronx, as a freshman just after the 2000 Subway World Series. His father was a Mets fan as was many of his friends, unfortunately T.J. rooted for the A.L. New York team. He eventually smartened up when he signed with the New York Mets. Many of his coaches with the New York Nine had ties in Alabama Junior College & their coach, former Met Mackey Sasser. Rivera attended junior college & then played for the Troy University Trojans in college. It was at Troy University where he met his future wife. In 2011 he was an undrafted free agent & got a chance with the New York Mets organization. He was with the Kingsport Mets & Brooklyn

Scott David Schoeneweis was born on October 2, 1973 on the Jersey Shore, at Long Branch, New Jersey. He grew up in Mt. Laurel Township lettering in baseball & basketball in High School. Schoeneweis attended to Duke University & made all American in his freshman year, winning 12 games with the schools second best record in team history. At age 19 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and it was found spreading to the lymph nodes. He received an aggressive chemo treatment over a three month period, lost 20 pounds but beat the cancer. When he returned to pitch he needed Tommy John surgery, after extensive rehab he returned to pitch in his Senior year and go on to win ten games. Scott graduated from Duke University with a degree, and left as the schools all time victory leader, as well as being second all time strike outs. He played for the 1996 USA National team, then got drafted by the Anaheim Angels. He was brought up by the Angels in 1999 going 1-1 appearing in

Omar Quintanilla was born on October 24, 1981 in El Paso, Texas. The five foot nine left hand hitter, throws right & is a fine defensive player. Quintanilla attended the University of Texas at Austin on a baseball scholarship. He played second & third for the Longhorns, appearing in two National Championship games. He became the first round pick of the Oakland Athletics in 2003 (the 33rd pick overall). While still a hot prospect he was traded along with Eric Byrnes to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Joe Kennedy & Jay Witacisk. Quintanilla spent five years with the Rockies as a backup middle infielder, playing behind Troy Tulowitzki, Kazo Matsui & Clint Barnes. He saw the most action in 2008, batting .238 with 17 doubles, two HRs & 15 RBIs. He was part of the 2007 NL Champion Rockies season, playing 27 games. He was with the club in April May & September but did not play in the post season. In 2010 he received a 50 game suspension by MLB for us

Adalberto Colon Ortiz was born October 24, 1959 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. The five foot eleven catcher, was originally signed as a teenager by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1977. He had a good year at AA Buffalo in 1980 hitting 12 HRs while batting .334, although he never matched those numbers again. He debuted for the Pirates in seven games of the 1982 season. In 1983 he began the year in Pittsburgh as a back up to catcher Tony Pena but after five games played, he was traded to the New York Mets for Marvell Wynne in early June. For the remainder of the 1983 season, Ortiz spent his time in New York backing up Ron Hodges. In 68 games he batted .254 with five doubles & 12 RBIs. Behind the plate he threw out 25% of would be base stealers & posted a .965 on base %. In 1984 he was the back up to Mike Fitzgerad as the team’s catcher. He got the start in the second game of the season & drove in a run in the Mets 2-0 win at Wrigley Field in Chicago against the Cubs. The next