This Day In Mets Infamy With Rusty: The “Three For Three” Edition

As we all know pitchers and catcher is just  a scant 3 days away. With this begins the Mets latest campaign to bring a title back to their fans. Will we be celebrating a team that may win it all, a team that makes it to the playoffs, a team that is slightly improved on last years 79 win total – or will watching this team be yet another exercise in futility ?

There have been 29 players and coaches to have worn the number three in the annals of Mets history. Most of them have had rather undistinguished careers ( I’m looking at you Sergio Ferrer), some have been fan favorites (Josh Satin) and some spent their time in Flushing counting the days until they weren’t with the Mets (Richie Hebner).

So of these 29 players I have chosen the 3 that I have deemed the most prolific or even infamous men that have worn the number 3 for the Mets. If you agree with my list – good. If you don’t why don’t you just present your list in the comments section below.

3. Curtis Granderson. Curtis is the most recent player to wear the number three for the Mets. Many fans have likened his signing to that of the Jason Bay fiasco of ’09. Yes Grandy hit a paltry .227 but he slammed 20 homers and knocked in 66 RBI’s – that’s 14 more homers and 19 more ribeye steaks that Bay had in his first season as a Met.

2. Carl Everett. What can I say about Carl Everett ? Well first off he wore the number 3 for 3 seasons as a Met (’95-’97).Secondly he was a rather fiery player that always seemed to be in the middle of a Mets rally. And thirdly  he always said what was on his mind – whether it was about prehistoric animals ( “You can’t say there were dinosaurs when you never saw them. Somebody actually saw Adam and Eve eating apples. No one ever saw a Tyrannosaurus Rex”). or about playing with a gay teammate ( he would consider retiring)

And lastly we come to shortstop Bud Harrelson. Bud is probably the most beloved person to wear the number 3 for the Mets. He wore the number 3 from his major league debut on September 2 1965 until his final game as a Met on the last day of the ’77 season. He would wear the number three again when he was hired as coach in ’82 and again from ’85-9o. He would wear the number 3 for the last time from ’90 when he replaced the fired Davey Johnson until his own termination in the final weeks of the ’91 season. Buddy was the prototypical shortstop in his day. He was a 2 time All Star, a 2 time World Series Champion as well as a recipient of the  Gold Glove Award in 1971.

And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!!

Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:

Mets coach from ’92-’93, Barry Foote  is 63 (1952)

Utility infielder from the ’92 season, Bill Pecota is 55 (1960). Yes the SABER system is named after him

Sadly on this date 2 years ago we lost Mets legend catcher, , Gary Carter to brain cancer. Carter had an infectious smile and oozed confidence from his pores. He was one of the final pieces that brought the Mets back to prominence in the ’80’s and it’s a travesty why his number has yet to be retired by this team.

Some transactions of note include:
The New York Mets signed free agent middle reliever, Clem Labine on February 16, 1962.

When Mo Vaughn was three he killed ( and ate) a Grizzly Bear !!!!