Twenty Years

[Guest Edgy DC]

How will the Mets commemorate the 1986 championship's 20th anniversary? Will they be able to effect a meaningful reunion? Will there be an old-timer's game? Will any ceremony they pull off include Bill Buckner? (Prediction: probably.)

Tired issue: Will they make any further attempts to reach out to Darryl and/or Doc?

[Elster88]

]How will the Mets commemorate the 1986 championship's 20th anniversary.

How about with a 2006 WS trophy?

[metirish]

It would be hard to fathom why Bill Buckner would take part in a celabration of the Mets 1986 WS team, I know he teams up with Mookie for shows but why would he be on the Shea field for a Mets celabration.?

No doubt they will try and get the whole squad together, but as you ask, what about Strawberry and Gooden, will Backman be there..should be interesting.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Because running out of the dugout, waiving, and ducking back in would increase his card-show base fee.

[MFS62]

Edgy DC wrote: Because running out of the dugout, waiving, and ducking back in would increase his card-show base fee.

Are you talking about Buckner?
The guy got basically run out of town, his house picketed by fans and his kids accosted by classmates in school.
I don't think he has / triedto cash in on his bad world series moment like some others (Ralph Branca?) have. I think he has wanted to just forgetthe whole thing.
On second thought, Shea might be the only remaining place where he could hear cheers.

Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

Check again. He and Mookie have appeared for years together, signing photos of the ball scooting past him as Mookie rounds first. Thousands of them all over the internet.

As for run out of town, he came back and played a half season with Boston in 1987, and returned in 1990 at 40 years old.

Really, he's made a killing on the card show circuit, in Met-fan and Cub-fan circles, if not in New England. He's made such a career out of being a good sport, it's almost sad.

[MFS62]

Edgy DC wrote: Check again. He and Mookie have appeared for years together, signing photos of the ball scooting past him as Mookie rounds first. Thousands of them all over the internet. As for run out of town, he came back and played a half season with Boston in 1987, and returned in 1990 at 40 years old. Really, he's made a killing on the card show circuit, in Met-fan and Cub-fan circles, if not in New England. He's made such a career out of being a good sport, it's almost sad.

Didn't know that.
Thanks.
I just remembered all the stories about what happened to his family right after the Series. Since I'm not a card collector, that got right past me. (I know, bad joke)

Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

I could be totally wrong, but I got the feeling that Fred Wilpon has thought about this a lot in recent years. And I guess he's had Jay Horwitz (and maybe Frank Cashen) doing a lot of advance work trying to sort this out. But if an onfield reunion --- and one that recalls more positives than negatives --- is to happen, they've got their work cut out for them.

Many of the principle players will be unavailable due to their employment elsewhere. Speculatively, assuming an on-field reunion is scheduled:

Rick Aguilera:

I’ve totally lost track of him since he retired. Chance that he'd show: 75%, I guess.

Rick Anderson:

Employed by some other team, but they might be in town. Chance that he'd show: 10%.

Wally Backman:

Possibly feuding with Mets, but it's in his interest to show up graciously. Chance that he'd show: 75%.

Bruce Berenyi:

His out-ness seems to have flown under the radar, and he could show just to get some pro-gay publicity. Chance that he'd show: 30%.

Gary Carter:

Employed by Mets in development. Shows up for stuff. Chance that he'd show: 90%.

Tim Corcoran:

The Mets will pursue him with all the eagerness of Gary Marshall pursing the Malachi twins for the

Happy Days

reunion. Chance that he'd show: 5%.

Ron Darling:

Broadcasting for some other team. Still, could get some time off, or that team could be in town. Chance that he'd show: 85%.

Lenny Dykstra:

Employed in part by the Mets and currently seeking to build his image for baseball and non-baseball interests. Disproportionately popular. Chance that he'd show: 95%. Chance that he'd make a show out of taking the field with a filthy uniform front: 50%.

Kevin Elster:

Don’t know what he’s up to. Cashen may still be mad that he doused him. Chance that he'd show: 65%.

Sid Fernandez:

Keith liked him and could place a call. Chance that he'd show: 75%. Chance that he'd have a bizarre injury that keeps him out: 20%.

George Foster:

Reconciled with the team, but the end of his tenure remains an unhappy chapter in the 1986 story. Nonetheless, a self-promoter. Chance that he'd show: 70%.

John Gibbons:

Bullpen catcher during postseason. Currently managing some other team. But they might be in town. Once kind of bitter the Mets didn’t give him a big league job. Chance that he'd show: 10%.

Dwight Gooden:

“Dwight, it’s Gary. Listen, we take this one day at a time. Smile nice for a camera with Davey Johnson in March. Shake Wilpon’s hand in April. Visit a hospital with a Mets hat in May… I’m getting ahead of myself. One day at a time, and you showing up for this re-union thing in July could be your way of making up in small part for missing the parade in 1986. It could be the beginning of the rest of your life, Uncle Dwight. Are you there…?” Chance that he'd show: 20%.

Ed Hearn:

Professional motivational speaker. Still friends with Gary, supposedly. Still, health and travel issues and other commitments could interfere. Chance that he'd show: 75%.

Danny Heep:

Huge two-run single in game three. Not a deal breaker, but probably has no other commitments. Chance that he'd show: 80%.

Keith Hernandez:

Mets broadcaster. Chance that he'd show: 100%.

Stan Jefferson:

Last I heard, he was said to be a New York City police officer, and it’d be cool if he took the field in uniform, save for a Mets hat. Very little PT for him on this team, though. Chance that he'd show: 55%.

Howard Johnson:

Employed in the system. Very popular. Chance that he'd show: 85%.

Ray Knight:

Professional spokesman for stuff. It's in his interest to keep his small but well-timed Mets legacy alive. Chance that he'd show: 85%.

Barry Lyons:

Nine lousy at-bats that year, having been sent to Tidewater to rehab and then losing his job to Hearn. He’s from Biloxi, which got smothered by Katrina, but then ignored, relative to New Orleans, so maybe he’d show in order to publicized a Biloxi-aiding charity. Chance that he'd show: 10%.

Dave Magadan:

Relatively popular. Hitting instructor, though, with some other team. Chance that he'd show: 15%.

Lee Mazzilli:

Coaches some other team. Chance that he'd show: 50%.

Roger McDowell:

Employed by some other team, but they might be in town. Chance that he'd show: 20%.

John Mitchell:

Is that John Mitchell moment worth a round-trip plane ticket and one-night stay in a hotel to the cheap-assed Mets? Chance that he'd show: 10%.

Kevin Mitchell:

Last heard from managing an independent minor-league team. Chance that he'd show: 65%.

Randy Niemann:

Still probably has enough friends left in the front office that he’d come if asked nicely. Chance that he'd show: 70%.

Bob Ojeda:

Left the Mets organization a few years back, bitching about a prior regime. Chance that he'd show: 60%.

Jesse Orosco:

He’s sort of a dealbreaker also, like Keith and Mookie. Need him to throw his glove in the air. Chance that he'd show: 90%.

Rafael Santana:

No idea what he's up to. Elicits few positive or negative reactions from Mets fans. Will be conspicuous neither in his presence nor absence. A previous regime might have given less energy to finding him than Omar’s might. Chance that he'd show: 70%.

Doug Sisk:

I doubt he needs the headache. Chance that he'd show: 25%.

Darryl Strawberry:

Spring training instructor last year, but since stumbled again on his elusive road from disgrace to rehabilitation. Chance that he'd show: 35%.

Tim Teufel:

Employed in the system. Chance that he'd show: 85%.

Mookie Wilson:

Loyal logn-time employee in many capacities. He and Keith may be the only ones whose absence would cancel the whole thing. Chance that he'd show: 100%.

[metirish]

Good work Edgy, I wonder about Davey Johnson, I'm sure he'd show but is he tight with the club these days?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Probably. Mad Dog, I think, scrod up the last interview he did with Johnson in New York, but I think he's good with the team and he's been looking after their best minor-league asset this winter.

[Valadius]

It all depends on his schedule with the national team I should think. Mel Stottlemyre (pitching coach) is now available for the reunion as well, having left the MFYs. But Lee Mazzilli has returned to the MFYs as bench coach if I remember correctly. Roger McDowell is the new pitching coach in Atlanta. Howard Johnson is Norfolk's hitting coach. Gary Carter is manager of the Gulf Coast Mets.

[MFS62]

Santana is an interesting case.
He was a throwback to the days when shortstop was a defensive position and middle infielders weren't counted on to provide much offense. He played more games at his position than any other infielder on that club except Kieth.

He is probably the most forgotten regular on that club.

Later

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Santana was the worst everyday shortstop in the NL that year, though not a particularly strong year for SSs.

By OPS+
Brooks, MON 162*
O Smith, STL 99
Thon, HOU 83
Dunston, CHC 82
A. Thomas, ATL 71
Uribe, SF 70
Templeton, SD 69
Duncan, LA 68
Jeltz, PHI 60
Stillwell, CIN 56
Belliard, PIT 55
Santana, NYM 52

*-tragically injured; replaced by rookie Luis Rivera, who out-OPS+ed Santana 58-52

[Frayed Knot]

The team started it's reconciliation with Strawberry last year.

Gooden's attendance will be a bit tougher. True he's no longer a ward in the world of Master Steinbrenner who most assuredly would have deemed Doc's presence in the office to be critical on the day of any reunion.
On the other hand, it's possible he'll be a ward of the state of Florida instead and they'll likely be even bigger sticklers for keeping him homebound.

[G-Fafif]

="Edgy DC"]Rafael Santana: No idea what he's up to. Elicits few positive or negative reactions from Mets fans. Will be conspicuous neither in his presence nor absence. A previous regime might have given less energy to finding him than Omar’s might. Chance that he'd show: 70%.

Not to mistake your perception of the general for my very personal, but I LOVED Rafael Santana. He was a family favorite in that disproportionate way you have assigned to Lenny Dykstra (he was also well thought of back in the ol' homestead). No real reason, just Ralphie. We named a stuffed dog after him -- high honor in a household where real pets weren't welcome. When the Mets brought back oodles of heroes and legends for Amazin' Memories Day in 2000, two alums brought me jumping from a mere standing O. One was Willie Mays, the other was Rafael Santana. He also got a rousing ovation (not just mine) at 1992's OTD, possibly the last all-Met-hands on deck affair. If he was the "worst" SS in the NL that year, it certainly didn't hurt our cause.

Re: Buckner -- In the old days, Old Timers Day brought back not just Mets but Met opponents. Other OTDs were like that. It would be, how you say, classy to have some Astros, some Red Sox, some NL opponents of the day show up. One would like to think Dave Smith would be treated better in 2006 than in 1986. Statute of limitations and all.

The first "special" day I ever requested being brought to was Old Timers Day. The second, third and fifth games I ever went to were Old Times Days. I've given this at least as much thought as Fred Wilpon. That said, I'm with Elster88. Let's get another trophy and call it an anniversary present.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Nonetheless, a death of OTD is lamentable --- a casualty, along with Banner Day, of the destruction of double headers.

An OTD that brought back opponents of that era would be sweet, featuring a comical dressdown of Mike Scott.

[G-Fafif]

Edgy DC wrote: Nonetheless, a death of OTD is lamentable --- a casualty, along with Banner Day, of the destruction of double headers. An OTD that brought back opponents of that era would be sweet, featuring a comical dressdown of Mike Scott.

I was actually kind of looking forward to giving the business to Charlie Kerfeld. Show Gary Carter the ball will you?

(So much for statute of limitations, let alone rampaging maturity.)

[Guest Edgy DC]

How much do you imagine Charlie Kerfeld weighs these days?

[Guest sharpie]

No picture but he does have a job:

Posted on Thu, Dec. 01, 2005




Rangers name Servais, Kerfeld to play development posts

Associated Press


ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers named former major league catcher Scott Servais their director of player development and Charlie Kerfeld a special assistant to the general manager on Thursday.

Servais replaced Dom Chiti, who recently became the team's bullpen coach. Since ending his 11-season playing career in 2002, Servais had been a roving minor league catching instructor for the Chicago Cubs.

Kerfeld spent the last three seasons as a professional scout with Seattle (2003-04) and San Diego (2005). The former major league reliever will evaluate players on the major and minor league levels for the Rangers, and assist in international scouting efforts.

The Rangers also promoted Tim Ireland to manager of the Oklahoma RedHawks, their Triple-A affiliate. Ireland was the club's baserunning and bunting coordinator last year after three seasons as a Double-A manager.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Dom Chiti? Related to Harry?

[Guest mlbaseballtalk]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Santana was the worst everyday shortstop in the NL that year, though not a particularly strong year for SSs. By OPS+ Brooks, MON 162* O Smith, STL 99 Thon, HOU 83 Dunston, CHC 82 A. Thomas, ATL 71 Uribe, SF 70 Templeton, SD 69 Duncan, LA 68 Jeltz, PHI 60 Stillwell, CIN 56 Belliard, PIT 55 Santana, NYM 52 *-tragically injured; replaced by rookie Luis Rivera, who out-OPS+ed Santana 58-52

NL seems to have a history of bad hitting SS years while the AL has all the darn good ones during "eras" and time period

That period was the "Original Holy Trinity" of AL SSs with Detroit's Alan Trammell, Toronto's Tony Fernandez and of course the only HOFer of the bunch Baltimore's Cal Ripken

And during Barry Larkin's "reign" as the premeire NL guy it was again an AL "Holy Trinity" of ARod in Seattle/Texas, NOMAAAAAAAAAH! in Boston and that guy in New York

Steve

[MFS62]

The OTD I went to was a night game.
Don't remember against which team, but it was bloody hot - over 90 degrees and it was a night game.
We had lower deck boxes behind first base. The women escorting the players to the field were wearing long "turn of the century" (as in 20th) dresses, complete with bustles. They must have been sweltering.

After the game, my friend had made reservations for us (our wives were with us) at a place called "DiMaggio's" on Northern Blvd in Flushing. We didn't know what we were looking forward to more, a place with a baseball theme or the air conditioning.
When we got there, it had no association with either Joe D or baseball.

And the air conditioning was broken. But we were so hungry we ate there anyhow.

Later

[Zvon]

Edgy DC wrote: How will the Mets commemorate the 1986 championship's 20th anniversary? Will they be able to effect a meaningful reunion? Will there be an old-timer's game? Will any ceremony they pull off include Bill Buckner? (Prediction: probably.) Tired issue: Will they make any further attempts to reach out to Darryl and/or Doc?

20 years,...wow.
Time does fly, tho in many ways that seems like such a long time ago.
In Met years.

Theyve got to do something kool.
Certain players have to be there. If Omars as good a GM as I boast, he'll get em all.(even if thats not his job,lol)
An 86 Mets old timers game would be excellent.
Yea, even get opponents who were part of Mets 86 history.

And I hope Doc and Darryl are there, cause for that year(and the Mets teams of the mid 80's), they deserve a standing O.

I did a '86 Mets commemorative drawing back in the late 80's, and Ill post that at an appropriate time.

[Guest Edgy DC]

So, since this thread faded, there's (a) been a reunion of sorts at the BAT functions, ( Darryl has gotten back in the fold, and © the schedule has been released with the Red Sox on it. This could happen.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Zvon wrote: Certain players have to be there. If Omars as good a GM as I boast, he'll get em all.(even if thats not his job,lol)

If Omar's in charge of planning the reunion, the only Met invited will be Rafael Santana.

[Guest SI Metman]

one of the six-packs available include 1986 themed promotion dates, so it looks like a bunch of stuff could be happening.

The problem with the Red Sox is that the games are in Fenway, and I doubt they'd want to promote 20 years since Buckner there, even with 2004.

[Zvon]

="Yancy Street Gang"] ="Zvon"]Certain players have to be there. If Omars as good a GM as I boast, he'll get em all.(even if thats not his job,lol) If Omar's in charge of planning the reunion, the only Met invited will be Rafael Santana.

ZIIIIING!!!! lmao


Raffy's back:

[Guest *62]

Yancy Street Gang wrote: ="Zvon"]Certain players have to be there. If Omars as good a GM as I boast, he'll get em all.(even if thats not his job,lol) If Omar's in charge of planning the reunion, the only Met invited will be Rafael Santana.

Goof on Raffy all you like, he was still good enough to win a Championship, unlike A-Fraud.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Huh?

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Edgy - "How will the Mets commemorate the 1986 championship's 20th anniversary?"

I hope they relive the 1986 championship by winning the franchise's third World Series in 2006. No greater commemorative celebration could be possible.