centerfield maz

Saturday May 7th, 2016: A good crowd of 41,028 attended Petco Park in San Diego to see Terry Collins second place Mets (17-11) take on Andy Green's San Diego Padres (13-17).  The Mets were trying to avoid a sweep & would make it a memorable night for the many Mets fans in attendance. In the end it actually wasn't about the Mets finally winning a game in the San Diego series, or about the fact that the Nationals had lost three straight in order for the Mets to gain some ground to take over first place this early in the season. It wasn't even about the fact that Bartolo Colon earned another career victory getting closer to the all-time Dominican born victory leader, Juan Marichal. It was all about Bartolo Colon, the Mets modern day folk hero who kept expanding to his legend. Tonight, Bart, Big Sexy, Bartolo or whatever you want to call him, made Mets & MLB history once again. In the top of the 1st, David Wright drew a walk & Yoe...

Friday May 7th, 2010: The Mets were playing in the team's second season at Citi Field. In 2009 although the Mets had four-walk off wins, there were no Mets-walk off HRs hit in the new ballpark. Tonight,  Jerry Manuel's Mets (15-13) hosted Bruce Bochy's San Francisco Giants (17-10).  The 2010 Mets would finish fourth (79-83) during in another poor era in franchise history. On the other side of the diamond, these Giants would surprise everyone going on to win the World Series. The Giants would win three titles in the next six years. In the bottom of the 1st inning, the Mets went on the board with Jason Bay's solo HR.  Back-to-Back HRs:  In the bottom of the 2nd, Ike Davis hit the first of two HRs on the night, this solo shot made it a 2-0 Met lead. Next the hot hitting Rod Barajas, followed with a back-to-back HR. It was the first of two for him as well & his eighth HR of the year putting New York ahead 3-0. Rod Barajas Trivia: Mets catcher, Rod Bara...

By 1972 the Giants franchise was losing money, and owner Horace Stoneham was in debt. He would not be able to pay Mays' his big salary. So, after negotiations with the Mets Willie was traded back to New York for pitcher Charlie Williams & $50,000. At first, he did not know all the details & was upset at the trade. He felt betrayed by the Giants organization after all his years of dedicated service.  He felt a bit better after Stoneman tried to explain that it was done for Mays’ best interests as well as the team’s financial situation. Mets Career:  New York Mets owner, Mrs.  Joan Payson was a huge fan of Willie and had tried to purchase his contract years earlier, offering one million dollars, but Stoneham refused the offer.  In 1972 the Mets gave Mays a ten-year contract at $ 175,000 a year, and after retirement $50,000 a year for the rest of his life. They offered him a position as a coach upon his retirement & Mrs. Payson promised to ret...