For My 10,000th Post...

[MFS62]

I'd like to thank all of you who have made this place an "intelligent, lively and provocative" place to discuss the Mets and many other subjects.

I've already given thought to the person who will become my future avatar and think I have chosen a good one. But then, I will have another 999 posts to let you know about that.

Later

[Valadius]

Congratulations on your 10,000th post!

[seawolf17]

Dang. You are one talky dude. Congrats on the milestone.

[Willets Point]

Congrats!

It's all downhill from here.

[Guest sharpie]

Sigh. I remember when MFS62 came aboard and I had many more posts than him. Congrats.

[metirish]

Congrats, any clues as to who your future avatar will be?

[Guest themetfairy]

Congrats!

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Hail Seav... no, wait

Welcome aBordi....hmmmm

We need an offical 10,000th post catchphrase.

[MFS62]

="metirish":2c2r57t3]Congrats, any clues as to who your future avatar will be?[/quote:2c2r57t3] Thanks for the idea. I'll be giving a clue every 100 posts or so. Here's the first: Mets fans have always looked to the future with hope. Later

AG/DC May 12 2008 07:51 AM

Not in my experience, but OK.

Benjamin Grimm May 12 2008 08:13 AM

="MFS62"] Mets fans have always looked to the future with hope.

soupcan May 12 2008 08:23 AM

SteveJRogers May 12 2008 04:56 PM

Tug McGraw's daughter-in-law FAITH Hill?

Elster88 May 12 2008 05:19 PM

Congrats, 62. Shut up, Rogers.

SteveJRogers May 12 2008 05:23 PM

="Elster88":y7z10muk]Congrats, 62. Shut up, Rogers.[/quote:y7z10muk] Its called a freaking joke. Just like the Bob Hope post (unless this was the Colavito Rockies Forum), you want to tell the blue eyed, ever loving Thing to shut up? AG/DC May 12 2008 05:45 PM Elster only logs on these days to do the occasional body slam. Elster88 May 12 2008 05:47 PM My bad. I'm a cantankerous curmudgeon. Kong76 May 12 2008 06:15 PM E88: >>>I'm a cantankerous curmudgeon<<< I can be as much of a prick as the next poster, but you do ride Stevie Jeets a bit hard here and it ain't like he's provoking you. metsmarathon May 12 2008 07:24 PM i am so ridiculously far away from 10,000 posts... soupcan May 13 2008 07:29 AM 'Stevie Jeets' Crackin' me up. Benjamin Grimm May 13 2008 07:31 AM "Faith" and "hope" aren't the same thing. SteveJRogers May 13 2008 09:21 AM They are synonymous though. Granted "faith" does have religious conotation in origin, but I've seen faith used in secular forms, such as sporting events. MFS62 Dec 12 2008 08:34 AM OK, posting a hint every 100 or so posts would have been overkill, so, with about 500 to go, time for another: I've been told that at least one CPF-er has spoken with this person. Later metirish Dec 12 2008 08:37 AM You're 499 posts past 10,000. MFS62 Dec 12 2008 08:42 AM ="metirish":2469uvq5]You're 499 posts past 10,000.[/quote:2469uvq5] I know. The 10,000 the post gets you the Seaver avatar. The 11,000th gets you the choice of your own. Later Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 08:53 AM ="MFS62":296ptdhw]I've been told that at least one CPF-er has spoken with this person.[/quote:296ptdhw] The project runway chick? Benjamin Grimm Dec 12 2008 08:58 AM Jay Horwitz? Valadius Dec 12 2008 09:19 AM Bud Harrelson? John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 12 2008 09:23 AM Billy Squier? MFS62 Dec 12 2008 12:25 PM Four nopes. Thank you for trying. You can pick up your home version of our game on the way out. I'll come up with more meaningful clues as time passes. Later Rockin' Doc Dec 12 2008 02:09 PM Rusty Staub? Valadius Dec 12 2008 02:34 PM Yogi Berra? Zvon Dec 12 2008 02:46 PM Gratz '62. Looking forward to 10,000 more. dgwphotography Dec 12 2008 04:40 PM Come on - You gotta believe - Tug McGraw. MFS62 Feb 11 2009 09:11 AM OK, Closing in on that magic 11,000. Time for the next clue: Winsocki Later HahnSolo Feb 11 2009 10:27 AM As in "Buckle Down, Winsocki"? (I can Google, yay!) Buckle down = Fasten your seatbelts? Bob Murphy? MFS62 Feb 11 2009 12:35 PM Nice try. Thanks for putting some effort into it. Nope. Later seawolf17 Feb 11 2009 01:05 PM Good. Because I will fight you for Bob Murphy. MFS62 Feb 11 2009 01:26 PM ="seawolf17":3n1q2cmm]Good. Because I will fight you for Bob Murphy.[/quote:3n1q2cmm] No fear, from my POV he's all yours. Later MFS62 Mar 02 2009 11:53 AM Congrats for reaching 11,000 before me, Doc. But in his thread, he did mention something about someone else helping him with his chosen avatar. As y'all may have fugured out by now, I don't do technology well. (I can't even imbed a link or a video image). Who can help me to edit (crop) and upload the avatar image of the person I've chosen? That said, time for my final clue: Learn your lesson well. Later Gwreck Mar 02 2009 12:23 PM Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 01:38 PM ="Gwreck":2gxbhwby]Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh.[/quote:2gxbhwby] Very obvious. Very incorrect. Nice try. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 02:54 PM Stretching for JC Martin? MFS62 Mar 02 2009 03:12 PM ="TransMonk":2c4rd0i6]Stretching for JC Martin?[/quote:2c4rd0i6] Nope. Not him. I don't get how professor would be a clue to JC Martin. Even as a stretch. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 03:30 PM Hugh Martin co-wrote Buckle Down, Winsocki. Learn Your Lessons Well is a song from from Godspell, which is about JC. Like I said...a stretch. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 04:41 PM Wow! I'm old and brittle. If I stretched that far I'd break. My kudos for getting creatively analytical. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 03:41 PM Gil Hodges? can't quite connect all the clues, but here are some of the things that make me think of Gil mets fans always look to the future with hope = wait 'til next year at least one CPF'er has spoken with him - Gil was a very accesible person in his Brooklyn nabe, so can imagine several of the older members might have met him - he lived around the corner from where I grew up Winsocki - can't figure that one out, other than that it was a fictional military academy and Gil was a military man. there is probably some connection to fight songs but i cant figger it out Learn your lesson well - Gil taught Cleon a lesson. MFS62 Mar 03 2009 04:02 PM Dreamer - you connected the dots pretty well. Unfortunately, not well enough. I'm surprised nobody else has selected Gil as their post- 11,000 avatar. But I have selected someone else. Thank you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 04:21 PM Mets fans always look to the future with hope = Lets Go Mets? could it be Jane Jarvis? Edgy DC Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM I'm gonna bet 1,000 cranebucks that it's not Jane Jarvis. metirish Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM Need some resolution here on this.....please... soupcan Mar 03 2009 07:36 PM ="metirish":8eyqqbmn]Need some resolution here on this.....please...[/quote:8eyqqbmn] Do we? Really? cooby Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM ="MFS62"] Learn your lesson well. Ricky Nelson? Real guess: Bill Shea? DocTee Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM Davey Johnson. MFS62 Mar 04 2009 06:25 AM All good, or creative, guesses. None correct. All will be revealed shortly. I don't want to use up allthe remaining posts until 11,000 in this thread. Thank you for playing along. Later MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:13 AM I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later Edgy DC Mar 31 2009 07:20 AM soupcan Mar 31 2009 07:26 AM Thank goodness. Now I can sleep tonight. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:27 AM It was worth the wait , what a nice tribute to Cole. Fman99 Mar 31 2009 07:30 AM ="MFS62"]I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later That's a good choice, I like it. seawolf17 Mar 31 2009 07:32 AM Interesting choice; I like it. Benjamin Grimm Mar 31 2009 07:33 AM So I wasn't TOO far off when I guessed Bob Hope. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:40 AM A New York Times report from April 2nd 2001 BASEBALL; Subdued Mets Share in Loss Of Player With Major Future By TYLER KEPNER Published: Monday, April 2, 2001 ] The televisions were on in the Mets' clubhouse this morning, but nobody paid attention. Most players sat alone or spoke softly to teammates. There was a game to play, the Mets' last exhibition before opening day, but nobody seemed to care. The night before, at a team dinner, the players had learned that Brian Cole, a 22-year-old outfielder who had been with them for much of spring training, had been killed in a car accident. ''There's no doubt that baseball is definitely secondary today,'' the veteran outfielder Darryl Hamilton said. ''It's going to be like that for a little while for us. You can't just let it go.'' Cole was driving from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., with his 17-year-old cousin, Ryan Cole, on Saturday afternoon. According to the Florida Highway Patrol in Panama City, Fla., Brian Cole's 2001 Ford Explorer, which was exceeding the 70-mile-an-hour speed limit, drifted onto the grass median from the inside westbound lane of State Route 8. The car then re-entered the westbound lane, slid sideways and rolled almost two times. Brian Cole, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car. He and his cousin were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Marianna, Fla., almost 20 miles east of the accident site. Brian Cole was pronounced dead there, and Ryan Cole, who was wearing a seat belt, was treated and released. The police said neither alcohol nor drugs were involved in the accident. The Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates observed a moment of silence for Cole before today's game at PNC Park, and the Mets are preparing to honor him in another way. A prayer service for Cole was held for the Mets' minor leaguers in Port St. Lucie, where workouts were canceled. Dr. Allan Lans, the director of the Mets' employee assistance program, will meet with the Class AA Binghamton Mets, the team Cole would have played for, to counsel them. ''That we were all together when we heard it, I think, is something that will make us a little stronger, that we shared our grief together,'' Mets Manager Bobby Valentine said. ''Guys know there was real emotion there, and a lot of people to share it with.'' Jason Phillips, a Mets catcher who played with Cole last season, said a driver had backed into Cole's Explorer a week ago. Cole planned to fly to Binghamton after driving hi car home so that his father and brother could take it in for repairs. ''That's the only reason he was going home,'' Phillips said. Phillips and others remembered Cole's quiet confidence and his ability to match his expectations. In an interview last month, Cole said his goals for last year had been 60 stolen bases, 18 home runs, a .300 average and 75 runs batted in. He exceeded every figure. Cole was in major league training camp for the first time this spring, and he impressed Mookie Wilson, the Mets' outfield coach, with his willingness to learn. All their conversations, Wilson said, were about how Cole could get better. Cole would sit in a corner of the locker room taking everything in, and he became friends with the veteran infielder Desi Relaford. The two played video games together, and Cole spent time at Relaford's home in Jacksonville, Fla. ''It's hard to comprehend the fact it's a life that's over,'' Relaford said. Mets General Manager Steve Phillips said Cole was projected to be an impact player in the majors, and that his talents suggested he could be an updated version of the classic leadoff hitter -- Cole could steal bases, but he also had pop in his bat. Phillips saw Cole play for the Class A St. Lucie Mets last year, and Cole put on a show -- infield hits, stolen bases, home runs. The Mets even considered promoting him last September. ''We had some of our longest discussions about him during spring,'' Valentine said. ''Most of it was about whether he was going to hit 20 or 35 homers in the big leagues.'' Cole was named the organization's player of the year last season, and he was considered the team's third best prospect behind outfielder Alex Escobar and pitcher Pat Strange. Pitcher Jerrod Riggan, a former teammate, struggled to fight back tears this morning. ''He knew he was going to make it,'' Riggan said. ''He knew he was going to be a big leaguer.'' Riggan was not the only Met hit hard by the news. Cole was a teammate for a few weeks, the veteran John Franco said, but he was part of the Mets' family. ''We all have some types of tears in our eyes,'' Franco said. ''The kid had a great future ahead of him, and it was stopped so short with a tragedy like that. It makes you realize how precious life is and appreciate everything you have. You want to go home and give your kids a big hug.'' Photo: Brian Cole (Gary I. Rothstein) MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:46 AM Thanks, Irish. And thank all of you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 31 2009 08:52 AM It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave? metsguyinmichigan Mar 31 2009 10:31 AM Tip of the cap. A fine choice. MFS62 Mar 31 2009 11:06 AM ="86-Dreamer":18grwt9a]It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave?[/quote:18grwt9a] Thanks, The key ones: Promise followed by sadness. I think our metfairy mentioned that she had spoken to him/ written about him. The lesson to be learned is to buckle up. (I took license with "Buckle Down, Winsocki") Later

[Guest AG/DC]

Not in my experience, but OK.

[Benjamin Grimm]

="MFS62"] Mets fans have always looked to the future with hope.

[soupcan]

[stevejrogers]

Tug McGraw's daughter-in-law FAITH Hill?

[Elster88]

Congrats, 62.

Shut up, Rogers.

[stevejrogers]

="Elster88":y7z10muk]Congrats, 62. Shut up, Rogers.[/quote:y7z10muk] Its called a freaking joke. Just like the Bob Hope post (unless this was the Colavito Rockies Forum), you want to tell the blue eyed, ever loving Thing to shut up?

AG/DC May 12 2008 05:45 PM

Elster only logs on these days to do the occasional body slam.

Elster88 May 12 2008 05:47 PM

My bad. I'm a cantankerous curmudgeon.

Kong76 May 12 2008 06:15 PM

E88: >>>I'm a cantankerous curmudgeon<<< I can be as much of a prick as the next poster, but you do ride Stevie Jeets a bit hard here and it ain't like he's provoking you.

metsmarathon May 12 2008 07:24 PM

i am so ridiculously far away from 10,000 posts...

soupcan May 13 2008 07:29 AM

'Stevie Jeets' Crackin' me up.

Benjamin Grimm May 13 2008 07:31 AM

"Faith" and "hope" aren't the same thing.

SteveJRogers May 13 2008 09:21 AM

They are synonymous though. Granted "faith" does have religious conotation in origin, but I've seen faith used in secular forms, such as sporting events.

MFS62 Dec 12 2008 08:34 AM

OK, posting a hint every 100 or so posts would have been overkill, so, with about 500 to go, time for another: I've been told that at least one CPF-er has spoken with this person. Later

metirish Dec 12 2008 08:37 AM

You're 499 posts past 10,000.

MFS62 Dec 12 2008 08:42 AM

="metirish":2469uvq5]You're 499 posts past 10,000.[/quote:2469uvq5] I know. The 10,000 the post gets you the Seaver avatar. The 11,000th gets you the choice of your own. Later Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 08:53 AM ="MFS62":296ptdhw]I've been told that at least one CPF-er has spoken with this person.[/quote:296ptdhw] The project runway chick? Benjamin Grimm Dec 12 2008 08:58 AM Jay Horwitz? Valadius Dec 12 2008 09:19 AM Bud Harrelson? John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 12 2008 09:23 AM Billy Squier? MFS62 Dec 12 2008 12:25 PM Four nopes. Thank you for trying. You can pick up your home version of our game on the way out. I'll come up with more meaningful clues as time passes. Later Rockin' Doc Dec 12 2008 02:09 PM Rusty Staub? Valadius Dec 12 2008 02:34 PM Yogi Berra? Zvon Dec 12 2008 02:46 PM Gratz '62. Looking forward to 10,000 more. dgwphotography Dec 12 2008 04:40 PM Come on - You gotta believe - Tug McGraw. MFS62 Feb 11 2009 09:11 AM OK, Closing in on that magic 11,000. Time for the next clue: Winsocki Later HahnSolo Feb 11 2009 10:27 AM As in "Buckle Down, Winsocki"? (I can Google, yay!) Buckle down = Fasten your seatbelts? Bob Murphy? MFS62 Feb 11 2009 12:35 PM Nice try. Thanks for putting some effort into it. Nope. Later seawolf17 Feb 11 2009 01:05 PM Good. Because I will fight you for Bob Murphy. MFS62 Feb 11 2009 01:26 PM ="seawolf17":3n1q2cmm]Good. Because I will fight you for Bob Murphy.[/quote:3n1q2cmm] No fear, from my POV he's all yours. Later MFS62 Mar 02 2009 11:53 AM Congrats for reaching 11,000 before me, Doc. But in his thread, he did mention something about someone else helping him with his chosen avatar. As y'all may have fugured out by now, I don't do technology well. (I can't even imbed a link or a video image). Who can help me to edit (crop) and upload the avatar image of the person I've chosen? That said, time for my final clue: Learn your lesson well. Later Gwreck Mar 02 2009 12:23 PM Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 01:38 PM ="Gwreck":2gxbhwby]Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh.[/quote:2gxbhwby] Very obvious. Very incorrect. Nice try. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 02:54 PM Stretching for JC Martin? MFS62 Mar 02 2009 03:12 PM ="TransMonk":2c4rd0i6]Stretching for JC Martin?[/quote:2c4rd0i6] Nope. Not him. I don't get how professor would be a clue to JC Martin. Even as a stretch. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 03:30 PM Hugh Martin co-wrote Buckle Down, Winsocki. Learn Your Lessons Well is a song from from Godspell, which is about JC. Like I said...a stretch. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 04:41 PM Wow! I'm old and brittle. If I stretched that far I'd break. My kudos for getting creatively analytical. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 03:41 PM Gil Hodges? can't quite connect all the clues, but here are some of the things that make me think of Gil mets fans always look to the future with hope = wait 'til next year at least one CPF'er has spoken with him - Gil was a very accesible person in his Brooklyn nabe, so can imagine several of the older members might have met him - he lived around the corner from where I grew up Winsocki - can't figure that one out, other than that it was a fictional military academy and Gil was a military man. there is probably some connection to fight songs but i cant figger it out Learn your lesson well - Gil taught Cleon a lesson. MFS62 Mar 03 2009 04:02 PM Dreamer - you connected the dots pretty well. Unfortunately, not well enough. I'm surprised nobody else has selected Gil as their post- 11,000 avatar. But I have selected someone else. Thank you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 04:21 PM Mets fans always look to the future with hope = Lets Go Mets? could it be Jane Jarvis? Edgy DC Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM I'm gonna bet 1,000 cranebucks that it's not Jane Jarvis. metirish Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM Need some resolution here on this.....please... soupcan Mar 03 2009 07:36 PM ="metirish":8eyqqbmn]Need some resolution here on this.....please...[/quote:8eyqqbmn] Do we? Really? cooby Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM ="MFS62"] Learn your lesson well. Ricky Nelson? Real guess: Bill Shea? DocTee Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM Davey Johnson. MFS62 Mar 04 2009 06:25 AM All good, or creative, guesses. None correct. All will be revealed shortly. I don't want to use up allthe remaining posts until 11,000 in this thread. Thank you for playing along. Later MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:13 AM I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later Edgy DC Mar 31 2009 07:20 AM soupcan Mar 31 2009 07:26 AM Thank goodness. Now I can sleep tonight. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:27 AM It was worth the wait , what a nice tribute to Cole. Fman99 Mar 31 2009 07:30 AM ="MFS62"]I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later That's a good choice, I like it. seawolf17 Mar 31 2009 07:32 AM Interesting choice; I like it. Benjamin Grimm Mar 31 2009 07:33 AM So I wasn't TOO far off when I guessed Bob Hope. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:40 AM A New York Times report from April 2nd 2001 BASEBALL; Subdued Mets Share in Loss Of Player With Major Future By TYLER KEPNER Published: Monday, April 2, 2001 ] The televisions were on in the Mets' clubhouse this morning, but nobody paid attention. Most players sat alone or spoke softly to teammates. There was a game to play, the Mets' last exhibition before opening day, but nobody seemed to care. The night before, at a team dinner, the players had learned that Brian Cole, a 22-year-old outfielder who had been with them for much of spring training, had been killed in a car accident. ''There's no doubt that baseball is definitely secondary today,'' the veteran outfielder Darryl Hamilton said. ''It's going to be like that for a little while for us. You can't just let it go.'' Cole was driving from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., with his 17-year-old cousin, Ryan Cole, on Saturday afternoon. According to the Florida Highway Patrol in Panama City, Fla., Brian Cole's 2001 Ford Explorer, which was exceeding the 70-mile-an-hour speed limit, drifted onto the grass median from the inside westbound lane of State Route 8. The car then re-entered the westbound lane, slid sideways and rolled almost two times. Brian Cole, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car. He and his cousin were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Marianna, Fla., almost 20 miles east of the accident site. Brian Cole was pronounced dead there, and Ryan Cole, who was wearing a seat belt, was treated and released. The police said neither alcohol nor drugs were involved in the accident. The Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates observed a moment of silence for Cole before today's game at PNC Park, and the Mets are preparing to honor him in another way. A prayer service for Cole was held for the Mets' minor leaguers in Port St. Lucie, where workouts were canceled. Dr. Allan Lans, the director of the Mets' employee assistance program, will meet with the Class AA Binghamton Mets, the team Cole would have played for, to counsel them. ''That we were all together when we heard it, I think, is something that will make us a little stronger, that we shared our grief together,'' Mets Manager Bobby Valentine said. ''Guys know there was real emotion there, and a lot of people to share it with.'' Jason Phillips, a Mets catcher who played with Cole last season, said a driver had backed into Cole's Explorer a week ago. Cole planned to fly to Binghamton after driving hi car home so that his father and brother could take it in for repairs. ''That's the only reason he was going home,'' Phillips said. Phillips and others remembered Cole's quiet confidence and his ability to match his expectations. In an interview last month, Cole said his goals for last year had been 60 stolen bases, 18 home runs, a .300 average and 75 runs batted in. He exceeded every figure. Cole was in major league training camp for the first time this spring, and he impressed Mookie Wilson, the Mets' outfield coach, with his willingness to learn. All their conversations, Wilson said, were about how Cole could get better. Cole would sit in a corner of the locker room taking everything in, and he became friends with the veteran infielder Desi Relaford. The two played video games together, and Cole spent time at Relaford's home in Jacksonville, Fla. ''It's hard to comprehend the fact it's a life that's over,'' Relaford said. Mets General Manager Steve Phillips said Cole was projected to be an impact player in the majors, and that his talents suggested he could be an updated version of the classic leadoff hitter -- Cole could steal bases, but he also had pop in his bat. Phillips saw Cole play for the Class A St. Lucie Mets last year, and Cole put on a show -- infield hits, stolen bases, home runs. The Mets even considered promoting him last September. ''We had some of our longest discussions about him during spring,'' Valentine said. ''Most of it was about whether he was going to hit 20 or 35 homers in the big leagues.'' Cole was named the organization's player of the year last season, and he was considered the team's third best prospect behind outfielder Alex Escobar and pitcher Pat Strange. Pitcher Jerrod Riggan, a former teammate, struggled to fight back tears this morning. ''He knew he was going to make it,'' Riggan said. ''He knew he was going to be a big leaguer.'' Riggan was not the only Met hit hard by the news. Cole was a teammate for a few weeks, the veteran John Franco said, but he was part of the Mets' family. ''We all have some types of tears in our eyes,'' Franco said. ''The kid had a great future ahead of him, and it was stopped so short with a tragedy like that. It makes you realize how precious life is and appreciate everything you have. You want to go home and give your kids a big hug.'' Photo: Brian Cole (Gary I. Rothstein) MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:46 AM Thanks, Irish. And thank all of you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 31 2009 08:52 AM It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave? metsguyinmichigan Mar 31 2009 10:31 AM Tip of the cap. A fine choice. MFS62 Mar 31 2009 11:06 AM ="86-Dreamer":18grwt9a]It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave?[/quote:18grwt9a] Thanks, The key ones: Promise followed by sadness. I think our metfairy mentioned that she had spoken to him/ written about him. The lesson to be learned is to buckle up. (I took license with "Buckle Down, Winsocki") Later

[Guest AG/DC]

Elster only logs on these days to do the occasional body slam.

[Elster88]

My bad. I'm a cantankerous curmudgeon.

[Guest Kong76]

E88: >>>I'm a cantankerous curmudgeon<<<

I can be as much of a prick as the next poster, but you do ride Stevie Jeets
a bit hard here and it ain't like he's provoking you.

[metsmarathon]

i am so ridiculously far away from 10,000 posts...

[soupcan]

'Stevie Jeets'

Crackin' me up.

[Benjamin Grimm]

"Faith" and "hope" aren't the same thing.

[stevejrogers]

They are synonymous though. Granted "faith" does have religious conotation in origin, but I've seen faith used in secular forms, such as sporting events.

[MFS62]

OK, posting a hint every 100 or so posts would have been overkill, so, with about 500 to go, time for another:

I've been told that at least one CPF-er has spoken with this person.

Later

[metirish]

You're 499 posts past 10,000.

[MFS62]

="metirish":2469uvq5]You're 499 posts past 10,000.[/quote:2469uvq5] I know. The 10,000 the post gets you the Seaver avatar. The 11,000th gets you the choice of your own. Later

Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 08:53 AM

="MFS62":296ptdhw]I've been told that at least one CPF-er has spoken with this person.[/quote:296ptdhw] The project runway chick? Benjamin Grimm Dec 12 2008 08:58 AM Jay Horwitz? Valadius Dec 12 2008 09:19 AM Bud Harrelson? John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 12 2008 09:23 AM Billy Squier? MFS62 Dec 12 2008 12:25 PM Four nopes. Thank you for trying. You can pick up your home version of our game on the way out. I'll come up with more meaningful clues as time passes. Later Rockin' Doc Dec 12 2008 02:09 PM Rusty Staub? Valadius Dec 12 2008 02:34 PM Yogi Berra? Zvon Dec 12 2008 02:46 PM Gratz '62. Looking forward to 10,000 more. dgwphotography Dec 12 2008 04:40 PM Come on - You gotta believe - Tug McGraw. MFS62 Feb 11 2009 09:11 AM OK, Closing in on that magic 11,000. Time for the next clue: Winsocki Later HahnSolo Feb 11 2009 10:27 AM As in "Buckle Down, Winsocki"? (I can Google, yay!) Buckle down = Fasten your seatbelts? Bob Murphy? MFS62 Feb 11 2009 12:35 PM Nice try. Thanks for putting some effort into it. Nope. Later seawolf17 Feb 11 2009 01:05 PM Good. Because I will fight you for Bob Murphy. MFS62 Feb 11 2009 01:26 PM ="seawolf17":3n1q2cmm]Good. Because I will fight you for Bob Murphy.[/quote:3n1q2cmm] No fear, from my POV he's all yours. Later MFS62 Mar 02 2009 11:53 AM Congrats for reaching 11,000 before me, Doc. But in his thread, he did mention something about someone else helping him with his chosen avatar. As y'all may have fugured out by now, I don't do technology well. (I can't even imbed a link or a video image). Who can help me to edit (crop) and upload the avatar image of the person I've chosen? That said, time for my final clue: Learn your lesson well. Later Gwreck Mar 02 2009 12:23 PM Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 01:38 PM ="Gwreck":2gxbhwby]Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh.[/quote:2gxbhwby] Very obvious. Very incorrect. Nice try. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 02:54 PM Stretching for JC Martin? MFS62 Mar 02 2009 03:12 PM ="TransMonk":2c4rd0i6]Stretching for JC Martin?[/quote:2c4rd0i6] Nope. Not him. I don't get how professor would be a clue to JC Martin. Even as a stretch. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 03:30 PM Hugh Martin co-wrote Buckle Down, Winsocki. Learn Your Lessons Well is a song from from Godspell, which is about JC. Like I said...a stretch. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 04:41 PM Wow! I'm old and brittle. If I stretched that far I'd break. My kudos for getting creatively analytical. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 03:41 PM Gil Hodges? can't quite connect all the clues, but here are some of the things that make me think of Gil mets fans always look to the future with hope = wait 'til next year at least one CPF'er has spoken with him - Gil was a very accesible person in his Brooklyn nabe, so can imagine several of the older members might have met him - he lived around the corner from where I grew up Winsocki - can't figure that one out, other than that it was a fictional military academy and Gil was a military man. there is probably some connection to fight songs but i cant figger it out Learn your lesson well - Gil taught Cleon a lesson. MFS62 Mar 03 2009 04:02 PM Dreamer - you connected the dots pretty well. Unfortunately, not well enough. I'm surprised nobody else has selected Gil as their post- 11,000 avatar. But I have selected someone else. Thank you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 04:21 PM Mets fans always look to the future with hope = Lets Go Mets? could it be Jane Jarvis? Edgy DC Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM I'm gonna bet 1,000 cranebucks that it's not Jane Jarvis. metirish Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM Need some resolution here on this.....please... soupcan Mar 03 2009 07:36 PM ="metirish":8eyqqbmn]Need some resolution here on this.....please...[/quote:8eyqqbmn] Do we? Really? cooby Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM ="MFS62"] Learn your lesson well. Ricky Nelson? Real guess: Bill Shea? DocTee Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM Davey Johnson. MFS62 Mar 04 2009 06:25 AM All good, or creative, guesses. None correct. All will be revealed shortly. I don't want to use up allthe remaining posts until 11,000 in this thread. Thank you for playing along. Later MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:13 AM I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later Edgy DC Mar 31 2009 07:20 AM soupcan Mar 31 2009 07:26 AM Thank goodness. Now I can sleep tonight. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:27 AM It was worth the wait , what a nice tribute to Cole. Fman99 Mar 31 2009 07:30 AM ="MFS62"]I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later That's a good choice, I like it. seawolf17 Mar 31 2009 07:32 AM Interesting choice; I like it. Benjamin Grimm Mar 31 2009 07:33 AM So I wasn't TOO far off when I guessed Bob Hope. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:40 AM A New York Times report from April 2nd 2001 BASEBALL; Subdued Mets Share in Loss Of Player With Major Future By TYLER KEPNER Published: Monday, April 2, 2001 ] The televisions were on in the Mets' clubhouse this morning, but nobody paid attention. Most players sat alone or spoke softly to teammates. There was a game to play, the Mets' last exhibition before opening day, but nobody seemed to care. The night before, at a team dinner, the players had learned that Brian Cole, a 22-year-old outfielder who had been with them for much of spring training, had been killed in a car accident. ''There's no doubt that baseball is definitely secondary today,'' the veteran outfielder Darryl Hamilton said. ''It's going to be like that for a little while for us. You can't just let it go.'' Cole was driving from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., with his 17-year-old cousin, Ryan Cole, on Saturday afternoon. According to the Florida Highway Patrol in Panama City, Fla., Brian Cole's 2001 Ford Explorer, which was exceeding the 70-mile-an-hour speed limit, drifted onto the grass median from the inside westbound lane of State Route 8. The car then re-entered the westbound lane, slid sideways and rolled almost two times. Brian Cole, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car. He and his cousin were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Marianna, Fla., almost 20 miles east of the accident site. Brian Cole was pronounced dead there, and Ryan Cole, who was wearing a seat belt, was treated and released. The police said neither alcohol nor drugs were involved in the accident. The Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates observed a moment of silence for Cole before today's game at PNC Park, and the Mets are preparing to honor him in another way. A prayer service for Cole was held for the Mets' minor leaguers in Port St. Lucie, where workouts were canceled. Dr. Allan Lans, the director of the Mets' employee assistance program, will meet with the Class AA Binghamton Mets, the team Cole would have played for, to counsel them. ''That we were all together when we heard it, I think, is something that will make us a little stronger, that we shared our grief together,'' Mets Manager Bobby Valentine said. ''Guys know there was real emotion there, and a lot of people to share it with.'' Jason Phillips, a Mets catcher who played with Cole last season, said a driver had backed into Cole's Explorer a week ago. Cole planned to fly to Binghamton after driving hi car home so that his father and brother could take it in for repairs. ''That's the only reason he was going home,'' Phillips said. Phillips and others remembered Cole's quiet confidence and his ability to match his expectations. In an interview last month, Cole said his goals for last year had been 60 stolen bases, 18 home runs, a .300 average and 75 runs batted in. He exceeded every figure. Cole was in major league training camp for the first time this spring, and he impressed Mookie Wilson, the Mets' outfield coach, with his willingness to learn. All their conversations, Wilson said, were about how Cole could get better. Cole would sit in a corner of the locker room taking everything in, and he became friends with the veteran infielder Desi Relaford. The two played video games together, and Cole spent time at Relaford's home in Jacksonville, Fla. ''It's hard to comprehend the fact it's a life that's over,'' Relaford said. Mets General Manager Steve Phillips said Cole was projected to be an impact player in the majors, and that his talents suggested he could be an updated version of the classic leadoff hitter -- Cole could steal bases, but he also had pop in his bat. Phillips saw Cole play for the Class A St. Lucie Mets last year, and Cole put on a show -- infield hits, stolen bases, home runs. The Mets even considered promoting him last September. ''We had some of our longest discussions about him during spring,'' Valentine said. ''Most of it was about whether he was going to hit 20 or 35 homers in the big leagues.'' Cole was named the organization's player of the year last season, and he was considered the team's third best prospect behind outfielder Alex Escobar and pitcher Pat Strange. Pitcher Jerrod Riggan, a former teammate, struggled to fight back tears this morning. ''He knew he was going to make it,'' Riggan said. ''He knew he was going to be a big leaguer.'' Riggan was not the only Met hit hard by the news. Cole was a teammate for a few weeks, the veteran John Franco said, but he was part of the Mets' family. ''We all have some types of tears in our eyes,'' Franco said. ''The kid had a great future ahead of him, and it was stopped so short with a tragedy like that. It makes you realize how precious life is and appreciate everything you have. You want to go home and give your kids a big hug.'' Photo: Brian Cole (Gary I. Rothstein) MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:46 AM Thanks, Irish. And thank all of you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 31 2009 08:52 AM It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave? metsguyinmichigan Mar 31 2009 10:31 AM Tip of the cap. A fine choice. MFS62 Mar 31 2009 11:06 AM ="86-Dreamer":18grwt9a]It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave?[/quote:18grwt9a] Thanks, The key ones: Promise followed by sadness. I think our metfairy mentioned that she had spoken to him/ written about him. The lesson to be learned is to buckle up. (I took license with "Buckle Down, Winsocki") Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

="MFS62":296ptdhw]I've been told that at least one CPF-er has spoken with this person.[/quote:296ptdhw] The project runway chick?

Benjamin Grimm Dec 12 2008 08:58 AM

Jay Horwitz?

Valadius Dec 12 2008 09:19 AM

Bud Harrelson?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 12 2008 09:23 AM

Billy Squier?

MFS62 Dec 12 2008 12:25 PM

Four nopes. Thank you for trying. You can pick up your home version of our game on the way out. I'll come up with more meaningful clues as time passes. Later

Rockin' Doc Dec 12 2008 02:09 PM

Rusty Staub?

Valadius Dec 12 2008 02:34 PM

Yogi Berra?

Zvon Dec 12 2008 02:46 PM

Gratz '62. Looking forward to 10,000 more.

dgwphotography Dec 12 2008 04:40 PM

Come on - You gotta believe - Tug McGraw.

MFS62 Feb 11 2009 09:11 AM

OK, Closing in on that magic 11,000. Time for the next clue: Winsocki Later

HahnSolo Feb 11 2009 10:27 AM

As in "Buckle Down, Winsocki"? (I can Google, yay!) Buckle down = Fasten your seatbelts? Bob Murphy?

MFS62 Feb 11 2009 12:35 PM

Nice try. Thanks for putting some effort into it. Nope. Later

seawolf17 Feb 11 2009 01:05 PM

Good. Because I will fight you for Bob Murphy.

MFS62 Feb 11 2009 01:26 PM

="seawolf17":3n1q2cmm]Good. Because I will fight you for Bob Murphy.[/quote:3n1q2cmm] No fear, from my POV he's all yours. Later MFS62 Mar 02 2009 11:53 AM Congrats for reaching 11,000 before me, Doc. But in his thread, he did mention something about someone else helping him with his chosen avatar. As y'all may have fugured out by now, I don't do technology well. (I can't even imbed a link or a video image). Who can help me to edit (crop) and upload the avatar image of the person I've chosen? That said, time for my final clue: Learn your lesson well. Later Gwreck Mar 02 2009 12:23 PM Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 01:38 PM ="Gwreck":2gxbhwby]Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh.[/quote:2gxbhwby] Very obvious. Very incorrect. Nice try. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 02:54 PM Stretching for JC Martin? MFS62 Mar 02 2009 03:12 PM ="TransMonk":2c4rd0i6]Stretching for JC Martin?[/quote:2c4rd0i6] Nope. Not him. I don't get how professor would be a clue to JC Martin. Even as a stretch. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 03:30 PM Hugh Martin co-wrote Buckle Down, Winsocki. Learn Your Lessons Well is a song from from Godspell, which is about JC. Like I said...a stretch. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 04:41 PM Wow! I'm old and brittle. If I stretched that far I'd break. My kudos for getting creatively analytical. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 03:41 PM Gil Hodges? can't quite connect all the clues, but here are some of the things that make me think of Gil mets fans always look to the future with hope = wait 'til next year at least one CPF'er has spoken with him - Gil was a very accesible person in his Brooklyn nabe, so can imagine several of the older members might have met him - he lived around the corner from where I grew up Winsocki - can't figure that one out, other than that it was a fictional military academy and Gil was a military man. there is probably some connection to fight songs but i cant figger it out Learn your lesson well - Gil taught Cleon a lesson. MFS62 Mar 03 2009 04:02 PM Dreamer - you connected the dots pretty well. Unfortunately, not well enough. I'm surprised nobody else has selected Gil as their post- 11,000 avatar. But I have selected someone else. Thank you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 04:21 PM Mets fans always look to the future with hope = Lets Go Mets? could it be Jane Jarvis? Edgy DC Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM I'm gonna bet 1,000 cranebucks that it's not Jane Jarvis. metirish Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM Need some resolution here on this.....please... soupcan Mar 03 2009 07:36 PM ="metirish":8eyqqbmn]Need some resolution here on this.....please...[/quote:8eyqqbmn] Do we? Really? cooby Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM ="MFS62"] Learn your lesson well. Ricky Nelson? Real guess: Bill Shea? DocTee Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM Davey Johnson. MFS62 Mar 04 2009 06:25 AM All good, or creative, guesses. None correct. All will be revealed shortly. I don't want to use up allthe remaining posts until 11,000 in this thread. Thank you for playing along. Later MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:13 AM I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later Edgy DC Mar 31 2009 07:20 AM soupcan Mar 31 2009 07:26 AM Thank goodness. Now I can sleep tonight. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:27 AM It was worth the wait , what a nice tribute to Cole. Fman99 Mar 31 2009 07:30 AM ="MFS62"]I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later That's a good choice, I like it. seawolf17 Mar 31 2009 07:32 AM Interesting choice; I like it. Benjamin Grimm Mar 31 2009 07:33 AM So I wasn't TOO far off when I guessed Bob Hope. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:40 AM A New York Times report from April 2nd 2001 BASEBALL; Subdued Mets Share in Loss Of Player With Major Future By TYLER KEPNER Published: Monday, April 2, 2001 ] The televisions were on in the Mets' clubhouse this morning, but nobody paid attention. Most players sat alone or spoke softly to teammates. There was a game to play, the Mets' last exhibition before opening day, but nobody seemed to care. The night before, at a team dinner, the players had learned that Brian Cole, a 22-year-old outfielder who had been with them for much of spring training, had been killed in a car accident. ''There's no doubt that baseball is definitely secondary today,'' the veteran outfielder Darryl Hamilton said. ''It's going to be like that for a little while for us. You can't just let it go.'' Cole was driving from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., with his 17-year-old cousin, Ryan Cole, on Saturday afternoon. According to the Florida Highway Patrol in Panama City, Fla., Brian Cole's 2001 Ford Explorer, which was exceeding the 70-mile-an-hour speed limit, drifted onto the grass median from the inside westbound lane of State Route 8. The car then re-entered the westbound lane, slid sideways and rolled almost two times. Brian Cole, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car. He and his cousin were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Marianna, Fla., almost 20 miles east of the accident site. Brian Cole was pronounced dead there, and Ryan Cole, who was wearing a seat belt, was treated and released. The police said neither alcohol nor drugs were involved in the accident. The Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates observed a moment of silence for Cole before today's game at PNC Park, and the Mets are preparing to honor him in another way. A prayer service for Cole was held for the Mets' minor leaguers in Port St. Lucie, where workouts were canceled. Dr. Allan Lans, the director of the Mets' employee assistance program, will meet with the Class AA Binghamton Mets, the team Cole would have played for, to counsel them. ''That we were all together when we heard it, I think, is something that will make us a little stronger, that we shared our grief together,'' Mets Manager Bobby Valentine said. ''Guys know there was real emotion there, and a lot of people to share it with.'' Jason Phillips, a Mets catcher who played with Cole last season, said a driver had backed into Cole's Explorer a week ago. Cole planned to fly to Binghamton after driving hi car home so that his father and brother could take it in for repairs. ''That's the only reason he was going home,'' Phillips said. Phillips and others remembered Cole's quiet confidence and his ability to match his expectations. In an interview last month, Cole said his goals for last year had been 60 stolen bases, 18 home runs, a .300 average and 75 runs batted in. He exceeded every figure. Cole was in major league training camp for the first time this spring, and he impressed Mookie Wilson, the Mets' outfield coach, with his willingness to learn. All their conversations, Wilson said, were about how Cole could get better. Cole would sit in a corner of the locker room taking everything in, and he became friends with the veteran infielder Desi Relaford. The two played video games together, and Cole spent time at Relaford's home in Jacksonville, Fla. ''It's hard to comprehend the fact it's a life that's over,'' Relaford said. Mets General Manager Steve Phillips said Cole was projected to be an impact player in the majors, and that his talents suggested he could be an updated version of the classic leadoff hitter -- Cole could steal bases, but he also had pop in his bat. Phillips saw Cole play for the Class A St. Lucie Mets last year, and Cole put on a show -- infield hits, stolen bases, home runs. The Mets even considered promoting him last September. ''We had some of our longest discussions about him during spring,'' Valentine said. ''Most of it was about whether he was going to hit 20 or 35 homers in the big leagues.'' Cole was named the organization's player of the year last season, and he was considered the team's third best prospect behind outfielder Alex Escobar and pitcher Pat Strange. Pitcher Jerrod Riggan, a former teammate, struggled to fight back tears this morning. ''He knew he was going to make it,'' Riggan said. ''He knew he was going to be a big leaguer.'' Riggan was not the only Met hit hard by the news. Cole was a teammate for a few weeks, the veteran John Franco said, but he was part of the Mets' family. ''We all have some types of tears in our eyes,'' Franco said. ''The kid had a great future ahead of him, and it was stopped so short with a tragedy like that. It makes you realize how precious life is and appreciate everything you have. You want to go home and give your kids a big hug.'' Photo: Brian Cole (Gary I. Rothstein) MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:46 AM Thanks, Irish. And thank all of you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 31 2009 08:52 AM It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave? metsguyinmichigan Mar 31 2009 10:31 AM Tip of the cap. A fine choice. MFS62 Mar 31 2009 11:06 AM ="86-Dreamer":18grwt9a]It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave?[/quote:18grwt9a] Thanks, The key ones: Promise followed by sadness. I think our metfairy mentioned that she had spoken to him/ written about him. The lesson to be learned is to buckle up. (I took license with "Buckle Down, Winsocki") Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

Jay Horwitz?

[Valadius]

Bud Harrelson?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Billy Squier?

[MFS62]

Four nopes.
Thank you for trying. You can pick up your home version of our game on the way out.
I'll come up with more meaningful clues as time passes.

Later