First off I’d like to wish all those who visit this site for our top notch content and who celebrate the holidays a Happy Easter and a Good Passover.
Greetings and salutations my fellow Mets fans. The last time I put fingers to keyboard I regaled you with some Mets tidbits of Mets trivia. Well this post was so popular that I decided to dig into the vast recesses of my mind (as well as Google) and I came up wit these interesting facts.
Right handed pitcher, Ray Daviault was the first Canadian born player to play for the Mets. Believe it or not !
Probably the most prolific power hitter in Mets history, Dave Kingman hated the nickname “Kong”. He preferred to be called “Sky King” – Believe it or not !!
Frank McGraw was bestowed the nickname “Tug” by his mother because of his aggressive style of breast feeding – Believe it or not !!!
Rafael Palmeiro was drafted by the Mets in 1992 but he didn’t sign – Believe it or not !!
The Mets drafted Roger Clemens in the 1981 amateur draft but rescinded a $40,000 bonus because then Mets pitching coach, Bob Gibson came away unimpressed when he watched him tryout for the team. Believe it – or not !
Bob Gibson only spent one season as the Mets pitching coach – believe it or not !!
And lastly, one time Mets ace, Craig Swan is a certified practitioner in the field of Rolfing ( an alternative medical treatment which utilizes the manipulation of soft tissues to promote healing). Believe it – or not !!
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Reserve catcher from the’65 season, Jimmie Schaffer is 79 (1936).
One time highly touted outfield prospect, Lastings Milledge turns 30 (1985)
Sadly on this date in 2002 Mets coach/ minor league manager from ’64-’72 Sheriff Robinson passed away.
Other transactions of note include:
The New York Mets purchased the contract of middle reliever, Butch Metzger from the St. Louis Cardinals on April 5, 1978.
The New York Mets purchased the contract of middle reliever, Danny Boitano from the Milwaukee Brewers on April 5, 1981.
The New York Mets released back up third baseman, Mike Cubbage on April 5, 1982. After Mike’s playing days were behind him he became the Mets third base coach and later their interim manager when Bud Harrelson was fired.
The New York Mets sold the contract of reserve outfielder, Gary Rajsich to the St. Louis Cardinals on April 5, 1984.
The New York Mets signed free agent middle reliever, Julio Machado on April 5, 1989.
The New York Mets traded pitchers, Bruce Chen, Dickey Gonzalez and minor league middle infielder, Luis Figueroa to the Montreal Expos for relievers, Scott Strickland , Matt Watson and minor league pitching prospect, Phillip Seibel on April 5, 2002.
The New York Mets claimed utility infielder, Marco Scutaro on waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers on April 5, 2002.
The New York Mets signed free agent outfielder, Gary Sheffield of the Detroit Tigers on April 5, 2009. One of the few highlights that Sheffield brought to the franchise that year is that year was him stroking his 500th career homerun.
Mo Vaughn will be on hand for Opening Day to sample the S’mores bacon on a stick !!
