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Showing posts from March, 2014

Remembering Mets Opening Days of the Past: 2013 Mets Romp Padres

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Rusty Staub Tosses Out 2013 First Pitch The Mets began the 2013 season with Mets legend Rusty Staub throwing out the ceremonies; first pitch. With Johan Santana down with injury, Mets Manager; Terry Collins gave Jonathon Niese the Opening Day start. 41,053 came to Citi Field to see the Mets take on Bud Black's San Diego Padres, as Edison Volquez took the mound vs. Niese. The line up featured the latest Mets Marlon Byrd signed via free agency & John Buck, who came over in the R.A. Dickey Trade. Another new face was Colin Cowgill, another player Terry Collins inserted in an Opening Day line up (ala Brad Emus) who would not be on the club for too long. The 2013 Mets starting line up was: Colin Cowgill CF Daniel Murphy 2B David Wright 3B Ike Davis 1B Marlon Byrd RF Lucas Duda LF John Buck C Ruben Tejada SS Jonathon Niese P In the home 2nd, John Buck drew a two out walk, Ruben Tejada then doubled bringing in Buck & Jon Niese singled home run number two, 2-...

Former New Jersey Born Italian / American Pitcher: Paul Mirabella (1978-1990)

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Paul Thomas Mirabella was born on March 20th 1954 in Belleville, New Jersey. He attended high school in Parsippany New Jersey & then college at Montclair State University, the current home of the Yogi Berra Museum.  The six foot, one left handed Mirabella, was selected as the Texas Rangers number One draft pick in 1976, the 21st pick overall.   He would be a journey man middle relief pitcher for the most part of his career. He pitched for Texas (1978) the A.L. New York team briefly in 1979 going 0-4. He then went to Toronto where the Blue Jays tried him out as a starter in 1980, as he went 5-12 with 4.34 ERA in 22 starts (33 games overall). In 1983 he pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, then moved on to the Seattle Mariners (1984-1985). He then went to Milwaukee & pitched for four seasons with the Brewers before retiring in 1990. In 1989 he spent a short period with the West Palm Beach Tropice of the Senior Pro League before returning to Milwaukee. In his ...