Author: Shannon

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The Lost Mets Police Posts #6: Extend Terry Collins Contract!

As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Mets Police, I thought it would be fun to go back and dust off some “Unscheduled Draft” posts. Behind the scenes if you write a post and don’t publish it, it saves as a draft. And there seem to be a ton of them. Some complete, some incomplete. Let’s have a fun stroll through the blog Outtakes.

Here’s one from June of 2014.
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terrycollinsnewyorkmetsintroduceTerry Collins may or may not be a great, or even good, manager.  You probably have a much more steadfast opinion on that matter.  Your opinion may even have merit and be grounded in facts.  I am not here to argue that with you.

What I am here to argue, is that if you love the Mets, and you want to see the team improve, you should not support the Fire Terry Collins bandwagon.

Why should we allow the Mets to make Terry Collins the scapegoat?

Ownership and the Front Office need to be held accountable for the fact that, first and foremost, this team needs better players.  If Terry Collins is the scapegoat it gives the Wilpons, the Katz’s and the Aldersons more time to have us wait for them to finally invest in this team the way we’ve been promised.

So my missive is thus: call up your favorite sports radio show and tell the host how much you love Terry as manager and think he deserves a better roster to show what he’s capable of.  Post comments on your favorite Mets blog and write about how Terry Collins deserves a raise and a contract extension.  Let’s not allow Terry to be the fall guy here, just to buy the more Mets time.

Sandy Alderson sounded very silly on the radio recently when he said that he was sure the payroll would expand when  more people came out to the ballpark.  Imagine how quickly a restaurant would go out of business if the owner pleaded with customers to please come eat his lousy food now so he can afford to buy better ingredients, and that he promises the food would get better in the future.

The Mets don’t need a better manager– they need better players.  If the Mets get better players, and still want to make a managerial change, that is their prerogative.  Until then, Terry Collins is my man.

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The Lost Mets Police Posts #1: What’s The Deal With John Buck’s Helmet?

As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Mets Police, I thought it would be fun to go back and dust off some “Unscheduled Draft” posts. Behind the scenes if you write a post and don’t publish it, it saves as a draft. And there seem to be a ton of them. Some complete, some incomplete. Let’s have a fun stroll through the blog Outtakes.

This one looks like it was written in April of 2013.

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John Buck Mets Catchers Mask

If you have been watching the Mets on TV you may have noticed that new catcher John Buck’s helmet is very colorful.

It was produced by Tools Of Ignorance, designed by Voodoo Air, and features the Statue of Liberty, a #7 New York City subway train , and  Jay Payton’s  #44.  Turns out he is the only catcher in Major League Baseball allowed to wear a painted mask.  He’s been wearing custom painted masks for many years now, but a 2012 licensing agreement prohibited players from altering the helmets.  John got grandfathered in.  And there is a benevolent side to the story as well.  From CBSSports:

Buck, a nine-year veteran, says he’s hardly flashy and it’s not exactly his style to wear the most distinct piece of equipment on the field, but every year at the end of the season he auctions off his helmet for charity, and the bolder the design, the more money it seems to garner. 

“It seems like the flashier the helmet, the more they pay,” Buck said, “It’s for the kids, so I’ll do the flashy helmet.”

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Banner Day At Shea Stadium…in 1988!

These are some of the banners that graced Shea Stadium on Banner Day in 1988. Pictures courtesy  of my Aunt, who participated. See some more over at Optimistic Mets Fan.

photo by Ceetar's Aunt
Not pictured: Dodger-shaped iceberg.

 

photo by Ceetar's Aunt
Where’s she fit in the pantheon of Met family?

 

photo by Ceetar's Aunt
Not a lot of banners mention Nunez.

 

photo by Ceetar's Aunt
It’s punny. I like.

 

photo by Ceetar's Aunt
That watch looks a little like a snake.
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Citi Field’s New Beer Selection

CitiSelection

The Mets announced nine new beers that will be available at Citi Field this year at special Empire State Craft Beer stands on the field level near the LF gate exit by the ramps and in the Promenade food court. This is a pretty good selection that’s hopefully augmenting and not replacing what we have already. Let’s break it down:

 

  • Captain Lawrence Captain’s Kölsch: This is a lighter and refreshing beer. It’s a great beer for hot summer days and one that will be pleasing to just about everything.
  • Ommegang Witte: Cooperstown brewed already gives it a leg up. Belgian style ales aren’t for everyone, but Ommegang makes some great beer and this is no exception.
  • Original Sin Hard Cider: Pretty basic contract-brewed cider. If cider is your thing, this one won’t disappoint.
  • Blue Point Toxic Sludge: Black IPA originally brewed to benefit birds affected by BP’s Gulf oil spill. Black IPA means it’s a hoppy beer but with the roastier malts of a dark ale. It’s the only dark ale that I know of at Citi Field right now.
  • Blue Point White IPA: I don’t care for this one much because it reminded me a little of white tea mixed with IPA and I don’t like white tea.
  • Bronx Pale Ale: This, and zoo animals, are the only interesting things happening in the Bronx. It’s a very good pale ale and full in flavor if you can handle a little bitterness.
  • Queens Brewery Lager: I’ve never had this one, but I will. They brew upstate but are looking for space in Queens.
  • Southern Tier IPA: Haven’t tried this one yet, but Southern Tier usually has a pretty high floor for quality beer.
  • Coney Island Seas The Day: An India Pale Lager, which means it’s a clean crisp beer like a Pilsner but with all the hops of a pale ale. Coney Island may have originated this style, but this beer itself is new and the one I’m most interested in trying.