Rico Brogna and the Long Sunset: Mets in Retirement, 2012

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

We watched 'Facts of Life' the other night after the Mets game. Tootie got lost during a school trip to NYC and almost turned into a hooker, but Mrs. Garrett and the girls arrived just in time.

[Edgy MD]

That totally happened to me once.

Jo knew the pimp and kicked his ass, right?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Nah, Jo had little to say what with Blair's shopping trip dominating the proceedings. It was a Very Special Episode which was mostly Tootie and a would-be friend/hooker at a coffee shop.

A clever comedic parallel had Mrs. Garrett mistaking a man looking to scalp Broadway tickets as a John trying to get 2 of Blair/Jo/Natalie.

[Farmer Ted]

Deadspin calls Kent a dick. They're on to something.

http://deadspin.com/5920233/is-former-giants-second-basemen-jeff-kent-going-to-be-on-survivor

[Fman99]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Nah, Jo had little to say what with Blair's shopping trip dominating the proceedings. It was a Very Special Episode which was mostly Tootie and a would-be friend/hooker at a coffee shop. A clever comedic parallel had Mrs. Garrett mistaking a man looking to scalp Broadway tickets as a John trying to get 2 of Blair/Jo/Natalie.

I swear I didn't just masturbate to old photos of the "Facts of Life" cast, [crossout]including[/crossout] featuring Mrs. Garrison.

[MFS62]

Farmer Ted wrote: Deadspin calls Kent a dick. They're on to something. http://deadspin.com/5920233/is-former-giants-second-basemen-jeff-kent-going-to-be-on-survivor

He'll be ok as long as he doesn't have to wash his car or ride a motorcycle.

Later

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Fman99 wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Nah, Jo had little to say what with Blair's shopping trip dominating the proceedings. It was a Very Special Episode which was mostly Tootie and a would-be friend/hooker at a coffee shop. A clever comedic parallel had Mrs. Garrett mistaking a man looking to scalp Broadway tickets as a John trying to get 2 of Blair/Jo/Natalie. I swear I didn't just masturbate to old photos of the "Facts of Life" cast, [crossout]including[/crossout] featuring Mrs. Garrison.

[Met Hunter]

This year's minor league coaching staffs. Just MLB affiliated teams. No Indys. I specify managers and AAA teams. DSL-Dominican Summer League. AZL-Arizona League.

Blaine Beatty-Orioles-Frederick Keys
Brett Butler-Dbacks-Reno Aces-AAA-Manager
Jay Bell-Dbacks-Mobile Baybears
Jason Hardtke-Dbacks-Visalia Rawhide-Manager
Andy Green-Dbacks-Missoula Osprey-Manager
Rich Sauveur-Red Sox-Pawtucket Red Sox-AAA
Andy Tomberlin-White Sox-Charlotte Knights-AAA
Scott Erickson-Indians-Carolina Mudcats
Eli Marrero-Reds-Bakersfield Blaze
Rigo Beltran-Reds-Bakersfield Blaze
Jerry Martin-Tigers-Erie Seawolves
Ray Burris-Tigers-Erie Seawolves
Jose Parra-Tigers-DSL Tigers
Doug Henry-Royals-Omaha Storm Chasers-AAA
Vance Wilson-Royals-Wilmington Blue Rocks-Manager
Brian Buchanan-Royals-Kane County Cougars-Manager
Abraham Nunez-Royals-DSL Royals
Ramon Martinez-Royals-DSL Royals
Dick Schofield-Angels-AZL Angels
John Valentin-Dodgers-Albuquerque Isatopes-AAA
Alejandro Pena-Dodgers-DSL Dodgers
Doug Mientkiewicz-Dodgers-Ogden Raptors
Jim Dwyer-Twins-Ft Myers Miracle
Mark Dewey-Brewers-Brevard County Manatees
Don Schulze-A's-Midland Rockhounds
Wally Backman-Mets-Buffalo Bisons-AAA-Manager
Frank Viola-Mets-Savannah Sand Gnats
Alberto Castillo-Mets-DSL Mets-Manager
Jonathan Hurst-Mets-Kingsport Mets
Dwight Bernard-Mariners-Tacoma Rainiers-AAA
Mike Kinkade-Mariners-AZL Mariners-Manager
Neil Allen-Rays-Durham Bulls-AAA
Tom Filer-Pirates-Indianapolis Indians-AAA
John Gibbons-Padres-San Antonio Missions-Manager
David Newhan-Padres-Lake Elsinore Storm
Jose Valentin-Padres-Fort Wayne Tincaps-Manager
Willie Blair-Padres-Fort Wayne Tincaps
Mel Rojas-Padres-DSL Padres
Jon Nunnally-Blue Jays-New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Jerry Cram-Giants-Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
Marlon Anderson-Nationals-Potomac Nationals
Brian Daubach-Nationals-Hagerstown Suns-Manager

[G-Fafif]

Abraham...


Martin...



and John.

[Edgy MD]

Larry	Mo	and Curly

[G-Fafif]

Dewey...


Cheatem...


and Howe.

[DocTee]

Fireman's firesale:

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/NY-Mets-great-downsizing-pitches-his-belongings-3707057.php

[Edgy MD]

I hope you guys got all over that.

[Theoldmole]

The merchandise includes Mets memorabilia, video arcade machines, 19th-century oil paintings and a Harley-Davidson Roadster.

This is an odd assortment.

[G-Fafif]

That bike was presented to him by Tug McGraw, who arrived on it with the visor down on his helmet so it came as a surprise to John and the crowd. Nice moment for sale.

Mets sponsor for years was Hempstead Harley, which might have had something to do with John getting something he'd find no use for. In 2003, the Mets honored Gary Carter's induction into the HOF with something similar. Gary being Gary said, graciously, something to the effect of I've never ridden one of these before...but oh boy!

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

As told by Dan Epstein (Big Hair and Plastic Grass), ex-'Spo and erstwhile Flushinger Ellis Valentine gives you a party soundtrack that is almost definitely too funky for your rectangular ass.

kpr9qvuodVA

[G-Fafif]

Tom Paciorek shows up in this SI profile of the mind-boggling one-game career his brother John had against the Mets in 1963.

But what John Paciorek accomplished as an 18-year-old on Sept. 29, 1963, was not just remarkable; it was also historic. In his first game in the major leagues, playing rightfield for the Houston Colt .45s (now the Astros), Paciorek went to bat five times and reached base every time, on three hits and two walks, scored four runs and drove in three more. It was one of the finest first games by a ballplayer in major league history. Then, like the ghostly form of Moonlight Graham, an outfielder who played a half inning in the field without an at bat for the 1905 New York Giants and whose fictionalized version haunts Field of Dreams, Paciorek simply vanished into the endless cornfield of forgotten ballplayers.

Some kinda scoresheet, too. Note all those promising Colt rookies making the 1963 Mets miserable on their way out the door. It was no accident, as Ted Keith reports.

The San Bernadino Sun is on the Paciorek case, too.

[stevejrogers]

Did we know about this:

http://www.gobulldogs.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/jones_bobby00.html

[seawolf17]

Did we know about this: http://www.gobulldogs.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/jones_bobby00.html

We knew, but we weren't going to tell you.

[stevejrogers]

Did we know about this: http://www.gobulldogs.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/jones_bobby00.html We knew, but we weren't going to tell you.

Walked into that one...

[G-Fafif]

Former Orioles great Eddie Murray called out by SEC for insider trading -- but former surly Met Eddie Murray who was great mostly when on a salary drive not mentioned.

[G-Fafif]

Anthony Young, coaching kids by passing on the wisdom of Mel Stottlemyre and Bob Apodaca in SI's recent Where Are They Now? issue.

The 46-year-old now spends most of his time with his wife, Mia, 42, and three daughters, Jaime, 27; Nikki, 23; and Addison, 11. He manages a warehouse for the chemical company Univar USA near his home in Kingwood, Texas. But he never forgets his star-crossed experience�in fact, he draws a positive to pass onto his pupils. If a team keeps sending you to the mound, you must be doing something right. And with his respectable 4.36 ERA during the streak and 3.89 career mark, the numbers bear him out. When Young gets past the distraction of his record, he passes on to his 13- and 14-year-old charges plenty more from his six-year career, advice handed down from former pitching coaches such as Mel Stottlemyre and Bob Apodaca, who taught him the importance of earning your team's faith. "The stuff I learned, I'm giving to kids," says Young, whose U-14 Elite team, Dynasty Black, is ranked No. 1 in Texas and 15th in the country. "I really wish this kind of stuff was around when I was coming up."

And he wouldn't mind his record being broken.

[G-Fafif]

Willie Mays incredibly gracious about overexposed Ford Edge pitchman who passed him for career hits.

[Edgy MD]

Jay Bell, author of one of the very worst seasons in Mets history, loved every minute of it.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Edgy DC wrote: Jay Bell, author of one of the very worst seasons in Mets history, loved every minute of it.

LOVE THIS STORY!

Hated Reggie Jackson, so because of Reggie Jackson, I hated the Yankees. Not that I don't respect them and appreciate what they've done over the course of baseball history. And Joe Girardi's a good friend of mine and I pull for him. I was anti-Reggie because, watching the game, it was a line drive to Bill Russell, thrown back across the diamond to get a double play. Reggie was caught off first base and did the hip move. The ball careened off his hip, and the umpires didn't get the call right, and I thought that was weak. I thought it was a weak play.

...and

Man, I loved, I loved New York. I loved everything about it. Still hated the Yankees, but loved playing for the Mets. It was a blast. It was fun. It was a good final chapter of my career.

[Farmer Ted]

Steven Henderson gets the batting coach call-up in Philly.

[Edgy MD]

BOOOO!!!

We've got ex-Mets working against Metly interests with every team in the division save Florida (and you know they've got their eye on a few).

Atlanta: Roger McDowell (pitching coach)
Philadelphia: Steve Henderson (batting coach), Juan Samuel (third base coach)
Washington: Davey Johnson (managerial coach)

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Sammy is out as third base coach in PHA, moved across the diamond for Ryne Sandberg. He'll coach first base and instruct baserunners (makes sense) and outfielders (using, one would assume, the 'do as I say, not as I do' method).

Steve Henderson is 61 years old. How the hell did that happen?

[G-Fafif]

Phillies didn't play well and fired coaches. Mets didn't play well and retained all coaches.

Clueless Phillies.

[Fman99]

Edgy DC wrote: Jay Bell, author of one of the very worst seasons in Mets history, loved every minute of it.

Jay Bell was a Met? Well honk my hooters.