Well it looks like Fred Wilpon , just like Staten Island Chuck made his once a year trek out of his bunker at Citi Field to help rechristen the former Keyspan park as the newly named Municipal Credit Union Park ( the names kinda catchy huh?) While Good old Fred  was expounding on the newly formed partnership with another banking institution ( remember Citi Field), he was asked  about the coming Mets season

Mets owner Fred Wilpon took the opportunity to drum up hope for next season after a dismal 2009 was followed by a disappointing off-season.

“This is going to be a comeback year,” he said. “We filled those positions we feel are important. These guys want to prove last year was an aberration and it’s not going to happen again… so I’m very optimistic.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/02/04/2010-02-04_brooklyn_cyclones_keyspan_park_renamed_mcu_park.html#ixzz0ekxAqOPv

Oh Freddie my boy I hope you are right  but just in case let me know what kind of meds you have been taking so we can have a very mellow summer together if this season tanks as early as last years did !

                                        ” Fred Wilpon  in one of his more lucid states.”

And with that said …. ON WITH THE INFAMY !!!

This deal you could say is a draw in terms of Mets infamy -New York Mets traded pitchers  A.J.  Burnett,and Jesus Sanchez and one time top prospect ,outfielder Robert Stratton to the Florida Marlins for ace pitcher Al Leiter and utility infielder Ralph Milliard on February 6, 1998. Al Leiter was the upper eschalon pitcher that helped propel the Mets into the ‘99 & ‘00 post seasons, while Burnett has gone on to earn three World Series  rings with the Marlins and last year with the New York Yankees.

New York Mets signed free agent pitcher Nelson” Figgy !”  Figueroa on February 6, 2008. Nelson has proven to be an adequate spot starter/ reliever, but it just seems this organization has little confidence in his pitching abilities.

And while you are digging out from today’s storm - Just remember that there are only  more 58 days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.

To start this column, I would just like to say “WELCOME HOME WALLY BACKMAN!!!” We have certainly missed your presence. Now it is time to brush off the cobwebs and prove to this organization that you are the right man to unseat General Chaos - oops I meant Jerry Manuel. It’s good to see that Omar and the Wilpons finally got something right in both a public relations and in a organizational standpoint. By hiring Wally as the manager of our Brooklyn Cyclones it will bring more fans to Key Span Park but I believe Wally just like his mentor before him - Davey Johnson has the eye to spot real talent , and he knows how to extract every ounce of it from his players. Good Luck - WE WANT TO SEE YOU AT CITI FIELD REAL SOON !!

                     It will be nice seeing that jersey at Citi Field in the recent future

And now for the INFAMY !!

Happy birthday to one of the original catchers from the ‘62 lovable losers - Harry Chiti (1932) . Chiti was one of the the first players to be drafted by the Mets in the ‘61 expansion draft and when asked why the Mets drafted a catcher first Manager Casey Stengel succinctly said ” well you need a catcher or there will be alot of passed balls.”
Light hitting second baseman from ‘71 to ‘74 - Don Hahn (1948) is 61. Hahn was traded by the Mets from the Montreal Expos for one time World Series hero - Ron Swoboda. He was later dealt along with our beloved closer - Tug McGraw to the Philadelphia Phillies for John Stearns, Mac Scarce and Del Unser.
Reserve outfielder for the ‘76 team - Leon Brown is 60(1949) .
“The Doctor” - Dwight Gooden is 45 !!(1964) To think that Gooden is 45 just floors me , because when you see pictures of him today he still looks like he is in his mid 20’s ( albeit a bit heavier) and can still blow you away with his high heat. I am just happy that he has found his way through the dark abyss of substance abuse , and it is great that he is back with the Mets family !

                                                             Happy Birthday Doc !!

Scrub reliever - Mark Corey is 35 (1974) .

New York Mets signed free agent Kevin “ORIGINAL GANGSTER” Mitchell on November 16, 1980. Trading him to the San Diego Padres was one of the stupidest moves Frank Cashen had ever made . - TRULY INFAMOUS !!

New York Mets signed free agent infielder, Don Florence of the Boston Red Sox on November 16, 1994.

New York Mets signed free agent utility infielder,Damion Easley of the Arizona Diamondbacks on November 16, 2006. I thought not bringing Easley back last season was a mistake because he was a slightly above average fielder with clutch hits in his bat. But instead we went with Alex Cora and the rest is INFAMY !!
And don’t for get - there are just 140 grueling more days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.

Met fan waiting to unwrap for 2010 Spring Training

Our look back at the inaugural seasons of the Met 2009 draft picks continues with round 21.

• 21st round - Joseph Bonfe: the college 3B spent the majority of the season in Kingsport where he put up a line of .327/.426/.462 in 156 at bats.  In July he was briefly called up to Brooklyn but after playing in only 5 games in an 11 day period was sent back to Kingsport.  His final Kingsport numbers earned him and end-of-season promotion back to Brooklyn and he is currently with the Cyclones as they prepare for the post-season having won the NYPL wildcard.  He tied for the Kingsport team lead in doubles with 12 and had the highest OBP of any K-Met with over 100 at bats.

• 22nd round - Zachary Von Tersch: the college RHP appeared in 13 games, starting 6, for Kingsport.  He finished with a 3-0 record and an ERA of 3.92 in 39 innings, recording 1 hold and 1 save.  After the Kingsport season he was promoted to Savannah had a no-decision in his 1 start, throwing 6 innings and allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7.

• 23rd round - John Church: the college RHP started the season with 1 relief appearance for Brooklyn then was promoted to Savannah where he spent the rest of the season.  Church appeared in 21 games for Savannah all as a reliever.  He finished with a 1-4 record and 5.28 ERA in 29 innings, recording 1 hold.

• 24th round - Michael Johnson: the college RHP threw 8 1/3 innings for Brooklyn this season posting a 6.48 ERA and recording 2 holds.  He last appeared in a game on July 26 and is currently on the Brooklyn reserve player list.

• 25th round - Josh Dunn: the HS 3B appeared in 11 games for the GCL Mets, posting a line of .100/.182/.133 in 30 at bats.  He was 3 for 9 with a double and 3 RBI with runners in scoring position.

• 26th round - John Semel: the college OF posted a line of .215/.324/.223 in 121 at bats for Kingsport.

• 27th round - Kurt Steinhauer: the college OF started the season with the GCL Mets and in 45 at bats his line was .267/.377/.356 in the GCL.  He was then promoted to Kingsport and improved notably with a .364/.457/.623 line in 77 at bats for the K-Mets.  The RH hitter batted .480 in 25 at bats versus LH pitchers compared with .308 in 52 at bats versus righties.  Once in Kingsport he continued to improve as the year went on, batting .344 in July and .390 in August.  He hit an even .400 in his last 10 games while driving in 11 runs.  For good measure he batted .414 with RISP and .422 with runners on base.

Kurt Steinhauer, upper right

• 28th round - Brian Needham: the college RHP spent the season with Kingsport, appearing in 15 games all in relief.  He finished with a 1-3 record and a 5.72 ERA in 28 1/3 innings, recording 2 holds.

• 29th round - ZeErika Hall: the college OF spent the season in the GCL.  He finished with a line of .297/.418/.378 in 111 at bats.  Hall had only 3 at bats through June but came on strong in July hitting .322 in 59 at bats and getting on base at a .420 clip.  Hall stole 5 bases in 6 attempts for the season and scored 6 runs in his last 8 games.

• 32nd round - Thomas Chism: the college LHP spent the majority of the season in Kingsport, finishing 1-1, 5.12 in 17 appearances, all in relief, covering 19 1/3 innings.  He picked up 2 holds.  In late August he was promoted to Brooklyn and in 2 appearances for the Cyclones he has thrown a total of 4 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out 5.

• 33rd round - James Schroeder: the college 3B appeared in just 7 games this season, 1 for Brooklyn in which he walked in his only plate appearance, and 6 for Kingsport.  His K-Mets line was .200/.304/.200 in 20 at bats.  In 6 plate appearances against LHP, the righty hitter had 2 hits and 2 walks for a .667 OBP.

• 34th round - Camden Maron: the Hicksville, NY HS C was manager Julio Franco’s 3rd catcher in a 4 catcher rotation but made the most of his playing time.  He posted a .293/.408/.415 line in 41 at bats.  In August he batted .357 in 28 at bats and for the season batted .455 with RISP (11 at bats).

• 35th round - Wesley Wrenn: Wes, a college RHP, appeared in 13 games for Brooklyn, starting 7 of them.  He finished 2-1, 4.15 with 1 save and 1 hold in 47 2/3 innings.  Wes kept an engaging and informative diary at the Brooklyn Baseball Blog all season long.  His latest entry, dated 8/30, can be found here.

• 36th round - Lance Hoge: the college LHP spent the beginning and end of his 1st pro season in Brooklyn, with a month-long stop in Savannah in the middle.  For Brooklyn he appeared in 10 games, all in relief, pitching 25 innings and going 1-0, 2.52 with 1 hold.  While in Savannah he appeared in 5 games, starting 3 and went 0-2, 4.50 in 16 innings.

• 37th round - Brandon Sage: the college LHP spent the season in Brooklyn, appearing in 16 games all in relief and finishing 3-3, 2.03 in 31 innings, recording 1 save and 2 holds.

• 38th round - William Cherry: the college OF is listed as active on the roster of the GCL Mets but he has no statistics compiled.

• 39th round - Anthony Taylor Whitenton: the college RHP is called Taylor and he signed late, appearing in 4 games for the GCL Mets.  He pitched 5 innings with no record, recording 1 save while walking 5 and striking out 7.

• 41st round - Travis Ozga: the switch-hitting college 1B posted a line of .194/.279/.226 in 93 at bats for the GCL Mets.  In 54 August at bats he hit .241.

• 47th round - Ryan Mollica: the college 2B played for the Kingsport Mets.  He put up a line of .287/.368/.365 in 115 at bats.  In 33 August at bats he batted .364/.432/.545.

For all the picks that signed, that’s a wrap!

Remember to pretend you're happy when you open it

Bubble wrap, America's decadent pleasure

Before the wine glasses get unwrapped and the Labor Day barbecue gets fired up, the Draft & Follow Season Wrap continues.

• 11th round - Sam Honeck: the college 1B spent the season in Brooklyn and finished with a .250/.339/.305 line in 236 at bats.  The lefty hitter fared best versus RH pitchers with a line of .281/.368/.357.  He tailed off after the NYPL All-Star break, hitting just .176 after that.  Honeck led the Cyclones in total at bats, and was 1 of 6 Cyclones in the NYPL All-Star game.

• 12th round - James Ewing: the college 2B spent the season with Brooklyn but did not play much, seeing all his action from July 1 - July 5.  He had 2 hits, both doubles, in 14 at bats for a .143 batting average.

• 13th round - Zachary Dotson: the HS LHP signed on deadline day, was assigned to the GCL but did not see game action.

• 14th round - Ronald Harris: the college CF had a fine season with Kingsport and earned a late promotion to Brooklyn.  In Kingsport Harris had a .293/.383/.418 line in 184 at bats.  He stole 13 bases in 18 attempts.  In 4 games with Brooklyn he has 3 hits including 1 double in 11 at bats for a .273 average.

• 16th round - Chase Greene: the HS CF got into 22 games for the GCL Mets, posting a line of .286/.361/.397 in 63 at bats.  He finished strong with a .333/.385/.458 line in 48 August at bats.

Jeffrey "Chase" Greene

• 17th round - Alex Gregory: the OF from perennial powerhouse Radford University spent the season with Brooklyn and put up a .278/.349/.417 line in 144 at bats.  Gregory spent some time at 1B as well as in the OF and flanked a poor month of July with fine performances in June and August with monthly OPS numbers of .840 and .892 surrounding his July OPS of .624.

• 18th round - Cody Holliday: the college OF did not have a good season when healthy, and finished the year on the disabled list.  His line for the GCL Mets was .175/.327/.275 in 4o at bats.

• 19th round - Nelfi Zapata: the HS C was a favorite of mine due to his name, his stature (6′ 0″, 203) and his power hitting exploits as a high schooler.  Zapata appeared in 35 games for the GCL Mets, and finished with a line of .261/.341/.370 in 119 at bats, hitting just 1 home run.  He started off on fire, hitting .533 in June, but cooled to .246 in July and froze at .186 in August.  He did not fare well on the road but in home games had a line of .309/.409/.455.  With 4 catchers on the roster manager Julio Franco used Zapata as his primary catcher.

• 20th round - Joseph August: the college OF started his career in Brooklyn but after playing 3 games was moved to the full-season class A Savannah Sand Gnats and wound up with the 6th most at bats of 7 OF on the roster despite joining the team 2 1/2 months after it’s season started.  With the season winding down in Savannah he currently has a line of .210/.270/.290 in 124 at bats.  The lefty hitter is batting a mere .196 against RH pitchers.

Drizzle & Fizzle (as Snooop D-O-double Gizzle might’ve called the Draft & Follow) has been on something of a hiatus while I adjust to some changes in my personal and professional life.  My slow slog back into TRDMB activity begins with the first part in a multi-part series looking back on the first professional seasons of the players chosen by the Mets in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

With the regular season already complete for the GCL Mets of the Gulf Coast League and the Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian League, and with just 1 game remaining for the Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York-Penn League and 2 games left for the Savannah Sand Gnats of the South Atlantic League we begin our look back.

• 2nd round - Steven Matz: the high school LHP signed late, was assigned to the GCL Mets, didn’t play.

• 3rd round - Robbie Shields: the college SS signed after the season was underway and started his pro career in Brooklyn ice cold.  His final numbers in 142 at bats were .176/.273/.268.  He did show some improvement after the NYPL All-Star break hitting .238/.319/.286 from then on.  The high point of his season may have been scoring the game winning run on rehabbing Carlos Beltran’s single recently.

• 4th round - Darrell Ceciliani: the college OF had a line of .234/.313/.310 in 158 at bats for Kingsport.  He had a fine month of July going .303/.361/.447.  He did better in away games, batting .298 outside of Kingsport.  He stole 14 bases in 16 attempts.

• 7th round - Darin Gorski: the college LHP pitched in 13 games, starting 11, for Brooklyn.  He is 3-4 with a 4.91 ERA in 62 1/3 innings including his September 5th start against Lowell in which he allowed 1 run in 5 2/3 innings on 1 hit and 4 walks while striking out 7.  For the season walks seem to have been the negative.  He allowed just 51 hits in his 62 1/3 innings, but walked 26.  His ERA, ground ball out percentage and batting average against all improved notably after the All-Star break.

• 8th round - John Freeman: the college C played in 39 of Kingsport’s 65 games compiling a line of .221/.271/.305 in 131 at bats.  He finished strong with a .308/.383/.462 line in 52 August at bats.  Like Ceciliani, he hit much better away from Kingsport, with a .289 away BA compared to .127 at home.

• 9th round - Jeffrey Glenn: like Matz, the HS C signed late, was assigned to the GCL but did not play.

• 10th round - Nick Santomauro: the college OF spent the season with Brooklyn, compiling a .241/.368/.441 line in 145 at bats.  His .809 OPS is 2nd on the team and his 6 HR leave him tied for the club lead with 1 game remaining.

Nick salutes one of his 6 home runs

Gulf Coast League

• The GCL Mets beat the GCL Cardinals 6-2 Monday.  3 2009 draftees played.  Chase Greene started in RF batting leadoff.  In the 5th inning he reached on a fielder’s choice and came around to score, going 0 for 3 before being replaced in the 7th inning by ZeErika Hall who doubled and scored in the 7th to go 1 for 1.  C Camden Maron walked in the 2nd and hit a 2-run double in the 6th to go 1 for 3.  See the box score and recap for more.

Appalachian League

• The Bristol Sox beat the Kingsport Mets 4-3 Monday.  3 2009 draftees played.  CF Darrell Ceciliani was hit by a pitch in the 7th inning and stole his 13th base of the season, but was 0 for 3 in his official at bats.  LF Ronald Harris singled and scored in the 6th to go 1 for 3.  3B Joseph Bonfe had an RBI single in the 4th to go 1 for 4.  For more see the box score and recap.

New York-Penn League

• The Vermont Lake Monsters beat the Brooklyn Cyclones 7-6 Monday.  3 2009 draftees played.  P Darin Gorski started and threw 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 3.  He received no decision.  1B Sam Honeck walked in the 1st inning and finished 0 for 4.  SS Robbie Shields had an RBI single and came around to score in the 6th, going 1 for 4.  See the game story, box score and recap for more.
• The latest entry in Wes Wrenn’s diary is up.

South Atlantic League

• The Rome Braves beat the Savannah Sand Gnats 5-3 Monday.  2 2009 draftess played.  P John Church threw 2 scoreless innings of relief, allowing 2 hits while striking out 2.  RF Joseph August was 0 for 4.  For more see the game story, box score and recap.