centerfield maz

Richard Douglas Henry was born December 10th, 1963, in Sacramento, California. The six foot four righthander, attended Arizona State University as a top pitcher.  1984 Olympics: Henry pitched for the 1984 USA Olympic team who won a Bronze Medal. He went 2-0 in the Olympic run, playing alongside with teammates Mark McGwire, Barry Larkin & BJ Surhoff, all of whom made the major leagues. Brewers Career: The tall righty was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers in the round of the 1985 draft.  In his rookie season of 1991, he came in 8th in the Rookie of the Year voting. He saved 15 games for the Brewers, going 0-2 with a 1.00 ERA. He struck out 28 batters in 36 innings pitched.  The next year he saved 29 games (8th in the AL), establishing himself as one of the better relievers in the league. He went 1-4 with a 4.02 ERA. The next season he missed time due to injuries, saving 17 games going 4-4. Former Met, Jesse Orosco saved eight for Milwaukee that tear.  In 1994, he lost his

Ronny Leonel Paulino was born on April 21, 1981 in Santo Domingo. In 1997 the six-foot three catcher was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates at age 16. In 2004, while rising through the ranks of the minor leagues, Ronny batted .285 at AA Altoona. In 2005 he then hit .306 between AA & AAA. He was passed up as the Pirates top catching prospect by Ryan Doumit who was tearing up A ball with his hitting.  MLB Debut: That season Paulino made his debut with the Pirates appearing in two late September games. In 2006 Pauling played his first full season due to injuries to the Pirates regular catchers. Paulino did well, as he batted .310 with 6 HRs 19 doubles & 55 RBIs.  Behind the plate he caught a league leading 38 runners trying to steal (36%) & was second with 72 assists. He also allowed a league leading 11 errors & nine passed balls (third in the NL). The next year he fell to a .263 average but had career highs in HRs (11) RBIs (55) doubles (25) & games played (133).

Wednesday April 22, 1970: On this day, Tom Seaver was presented with his 1969 Cy Young Award in a pre-game ceremony at Shea Stadium. It was the first of the three Cy Young Awards Tom Seaver would collect in his career. Gil Hodges reigning World Champion Mets (6-6) hosted Preston Gomez's San Diego Padres (6-8). The Padres were not yet donning the bright yellow 1970's road uniforms. A crowd of 14,197 fans came out on this Wednesday matinee at Shea as the Cy Young winning Tom Seaver went up against the Padres Mike Corkins. Trivia: There were many school kids in attendance on this day. As there were many school class trips scheduled since this was the very first Earth Day to be recognized in the United States. What a thrill for these school kids to witness one of Tom Seavers many historic games. Tom Seaver started the day retiring Jose Arcia on a fly ball. He then struck out Van Kelly looking & Cito Gaston swinging. In the bottom of the 1st, after Tommie Agee struc

Randall Wayne Sterling was born on April 21st, 1951, in Key West, Florida. His father Clayton Sterling was a minor league first baseman who batted .284 in three seasons (1941/ 1948-1949). Randy attended Key West High School where his team won the 1969 State Championship. In 1969, Randy Sterling was the Mets first round draft pick (4th pick overall) in the teams Championship season. The six foot two, right hander was another fine arm in a long line of quality young Mets pitching prospects in the early seventies. By the time Randy got to AA Memphis in 1972 he was the staff’s leading pitcher going 12-11 with a 3.47 ERA just ahead of Bob Apodaca. The next season he was pushed up to AAA Tidewater going 10-7 second in wins on the staff to John Glass. In 1974 Randy was only one of two pitchers (the other being Hank Webb) to reach double figures in victories for the Tides. Sterling's twelve wins led the staff as he was 12-11 with a 3.39 ERA. MLB Debut: On September 16th, 1974, Ste

Gregory Rudolph Harts was born April 21, 1950, in Atlanta, Georgia. The six-foot tall left hand hitting Harts, was signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 1970.  In 1972 Harts stole 22 bases with 23 doubles 4 HRs & 18 RBIs while batting .286 at A ball Visalia. He closed out the season at AA Memphis.  Harts was invited to Spring Training in 1973 with a chance to compete for the back up centerfield job to Willie Mays. Mays at age 42 would be limited in his playing time. But Hart lost out to Don Hahn & Rich Chiles. Also ahead of him was highly touted prospect Dave Schneck. So Harts returned there in the Mets 1973 pennant season, batting .263 stealing eight bases & hitting 23 doubles in 133 games played. MLB Debut: He got a September call up, during the heat of the Mets tight pennant race, making his MLB debut as a pinch hitter on September 15, 1973, in the second game of a double header in a 7-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs.  Harts had the honor of getting a hi

Jesse Russell Orosco was born on April 21st 1957 in Santa Barbara, California. He was the fifth of seven children to Ray & Tomasa Orosco. Jesse began playing baseball at age six. His father founded, funded & played on the semi pro team, the Santa Barbara Jets. Jesse & his brother were bat boys on the team. The six-foot two lefty attended the local high school & City College at Santa Barbara. He turned into a local star pitcher as well, getting drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the second round of the 1978 amateur draft. In December of 1978, Shea Stadium was a already a sad place. Then one of the last pieces of the 1969 Championship team; Jerry Koosman was traded away to his home state of Minnesota.  Koosman went to the Twins & a young Jesse Orosco came to the Mets. Little did anyone know that the player sent over in exchange for Koos would help be another piece to a future Championship. Mets Debut: In 1979 Orosco made the team out of Spring Training. He