The Mets Police

Walt aka @formerdirtdart continues his excellent tradition of hookups. Click on these for big pretty PDFs.

2011 Mets Uni-Breakdown-May

2011 Mets Uni-Calendar-May

(Hi – reminder I am doing that “sticky post” thing where I’m keeping main story of the day up top…scroll down for other new items throughout the day)

Mike Vaccaro has the must read of the day in the Post.  I don’t want to over-excerpt…but there’s some great words here so be sure to read it.

Carter is sick now, news that has devastated the Mets’ family and fan base. And the Mets face a disquieting choice now. Even an operation as tone-deaf as this ought to know that it should finally step up and do the right thing, have a day sometime in the next few months, put Carter’s 8 up on the wall next to 37, 14, 41 and 42.

Would it look like they would be reacting to the horrific news of Carter’s brain cancer? Maybe. And you know what? That’s tough. The Mets could’ve done the right thing on their own years ago. Now they need to give their fans an opportunity to thank and salute Carter, whether he is physically up for the task or not. And because the Mets couldn’t identify the right thing to do if it was a neon sign, then shaming them into doing the right thing will have to do.

We’ve been having a good discussion on twitter (@metspolice) this morning.

Is it weird to do it now?  Yes.  Too bad.

Should other numbers be retired?  I would say 17 should have gone first, but Keith can wait another year.  Let Gary (HOFer, captain, fan fave, ring owner) have his day.

Will it be an emotional day?  Oh hell yeah.

The number isn’t being used.  So why not hang it on the wall?  What’s the downside?  So you can give it to Matt Galante?  There will be 95 usable numbers left.

If you want your franchise to have pride and tradition then you have to decide your franchise has pride and a tradition.

Write your own history.  Let the next generation of Mets fans ask who wore #8.

Look at the Bronx.  They manufacture tradition.  If you’re under 30 why don’t you take a look at the back of Mr. October’s baseball card.  There will be 16 inconvenient seasons on it.   Ask someone over 30 about Saint George the love-able old man who just wanted to win.

The story of the Mets has become bumbling ownership and their love of the Dodgers.  Why would you want that?

Start embracing the tradition.

Create your own folklore.  Start with 8.  Then 17.  Then 31.  It’s what your customers want.

We can argue about 17, 31, 36, 16 and 18 a different day (that’s great off-season content by the way).  This discussion is about Gary Carter, and I’ll ask the question.  Why not?

Go read Vaccaro.

Having Gary Carter Day — for kicks, let’s say July 19, 20 or 21, against the Mets’ old rivals from St. Louis — would be a fair starting point. Retiring 8 is the right thing to do.

The Times has a pretty good version of the “Mets attendance” story that pops up once a week. This one uses regression analysis and has charts and tells us..

First, the downward trend appears to be accelerating. Through their first 10 home dates, the Mets were averaging 29,281 fans, just barely behind last season’s pace. Since then, however — despite playing most of their home games against the Phillies, Dodgers and Giants, who are usually good draws in New York — attendance has averaged just 28,024, versus 34,425 for the comparable period in 2010.

You can argue back and forth if we’re comparing apples to bad weather apples, but the article is a good read.

I had some free time yesterday so I started working on Season 2 of How I Met the Mets.

First up, an episode called June 15, 1977.  I figured with all the talk of Reyes leaving town, and me needing some work-ahead content for June 2011,  it made sense to lead off with this one. The final version will come out June 14th. I also have to work on the “Rusty” episode I previously mentioned.

This is just the pre-credits roll, with no narrator and non-final edits.

I thought I’d work in a certain billionaire who is around my age – who knows maybe he will fund the thing.

If you’re new to all this check out this Youtube Channel for episodes from Season 1.

I know you can get this news on 5 billion other sites but I’d feel odd not mentioning it.

The results of biopsies performed on the tumor in Gary Carter’s brain have conclusively shown that Mr. Carter has a glioblastoma. While surgery is not a good option given the location of the tumor, we discussed an aggressive treatment plan with Mr. Carter and his family, which will include chemotherapy and radiation. Mr. Carter will be returning home to Florida to begin the next phase of his treatment, but we will continue to work closely with his medical team. Mr. Carter’s youth, strong physical condition and fighting spirit will be to his advantage as his treatment commences. The outpouring of support for Mr. Carter has been incredible and we trust that his many friends and fans will join us in continuing to pray for him and his family.

Many sources have more, including ESPN NY