Countdown Quiz

[G-Fafif]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: The quiz answer I couldn't get that really annoyed me was Armando Benitez because I loved that Met. But as soon as I saw this part of the Benitez clue -- "1997-2003" I immediately tuned out, figuring I'd never get it, being so bad with those years. Plus I mistakenly assumed it was a fringe Met based on the # of AB's.

I was on hand for one of Armando's RBIs, so that was a boost. Clues have worked for and against me. I could not zero in on Les Rohr, for instance, because I mostly associate him with his status as first-ever Met draft pick, though Woflie's portrayal of him as a reluctant Miracle Met bystander was absolutely accurate (and I remembered the quote from JCL's SABR bio of him, I just couldn't place him while I was mentally riffling through all those September '69 callups).

Klimchock, Kleven, Steve Springer, the immortal Emil Brown...I've given each of them a moment in the FAFIF sun over the past dozen years, so that helps, too.

[batmagadanleadoff]

I got Rohr from remembering a Sports Illustrated piece written by Alexander Woolf on collecting the autographs of the 1969 Mets, especiallly the elusive Tommie Agee's John Hancock. There are two lines from that piece that are etched in my memory --- one is about Amos Otis: "some scrub"; the other is about obtaining Rohr's signature: "Les is more".

Edited March 29, 2017 by Guest

[batmagadanleadoff]

G-Fafif wrote: I was on hand for one of Armando's RBIs, so that was a boost.

See ... that's the thing about your memory. I might've been on hand for one of Armando's RBI's as well. I was a Mets full season-ticket holder for Armando's entire Mets stint. But if I was there, I no longer remember it.

[seawolf17]

Some of these clues are a challenge to find; I'm using a combination of their stat lines, transaction history, Wikipedia pages, and UMDB "memories" pages to find quirky little things. But, for example, try to find something quirky about Tom Wilson. It's not possible. (He's coming up in a few days.)

[batmagadanleadoff]

seawolf17 wrote: Some of these clues are a challenge to find; I'm using a combination of their stat lines, transaction history, Wikipedia pages, and UMDB "memories" pages to find quirky little things. But, for example, try to find something quirky about Tom Wilson. It's not possible. (He's coming up in a few days.)

I recognize this and appreciate the effort. This has been a terrific quiz that required a lot of work and the commitment to put it up every day for about a month. Plus the follow-up to update the tallies.

Excellent.

[fimg=333]http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/batman/images/c/c2/Egghead.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120430232420[/fimg]

[Edgy MD]

Backup catcher and award-winning cartoonist.

[G-Fafif]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: seawolf17 wrote: Some of these clues are a challenge to find; I'm using a combination of their stat lines, transaction history, Wikipedia pages, and UMDB "memories" pages to find quirky little things. But, for example, try to find something quirky about Tom Wilson. It's not possible. (He's coming up in a few days.) I recognize this and appreciate the effort. This has been a terrific quiz that required a lot of work and the commitment to put it up every day for about a month. Plus the follow-up to update the tallies. Excellent. [fimg=333]http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/batman/images/c/c2/Egghead.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120430232420[/fimg]

Agreed! It's been the most fun thing about Spring Training this side of Cespedes.

I have a Tom Wilson clue in my head, but it's akin to "name a Met who's never been in my kitchen."

[G-Fafif]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: G-Fafif wrote: I was on hand for one of Armando's RBIs, so that was a boost. See ... that's the thing about your memory. I might've been on hand for one of Armando's RBI's as well. I was a Mets full season-ticket holder for Armando's entire Mets stint. But if I was there, I no longer remember it.

If I'd gone to the men's room during Armando's at bat, that might be a point someone else got. I did that during Ty Wigginton's first Shea Stadium home run. OTOH, it was nice to emerge into a crowd that was happy for a change in 2002.

[G-Fafif]

19. 1964: 1-2, 3.48 in 25 games... and never pitched in the majors again.

Not a lock, but Ron Locke? Wolfie will appreciate that mostly I associate him with his baseball card, which, along with Yogi's, is the first 1965 I ever owned. Since it's a '65, I don't immediately link him to '64, but now that I'm putting the alphabetical pieces together...

[seawolf17]

and BOOM we've knocked out our final mystery Met of the day.

AASE 1. 1989: Bullpen arm probably best known as an Oriole.
BELL 2. 2004-06: Bullpen arm best known as an oversized blowhard in San Diego after his time as a Met.
BERNARD 3. 1978-79: Shared a tri-Met rookie card, then traded to Milwaukee and became a long time pitching coach.
BROWN 4. 2009: Full-time OF in Kansas City in the mid-00s who finished his career going 0-5 as a Met that summer.
BURKE 5. 1991-92: Long time Expo bullpen mainstay, acquired for Ron Darling.
CANDELARIA 6. 1987: Pitched in 600 games, including winning 20 games for the Pirates in 1977.
CASTILLO 7. 1994: His only MLB appearances were two starts in July 1994 as a Met.
COOK 8. 1998-2001: 255 games out of the pen.
DIAZ 9. 1982-83: Best known for what he brought back in trade.
ESTRADA 10. 1967: Had few good season in Baltimore, but was toast by the time he got to Shea.
GINSBERG 11. 1962: Started his catching career in 1948 with Detroit; only got into two games as a Met.
HALL 12. 1975-76: Solid swingman for the Twins and Reds before coming to the Mets
KLEVEN 13. 1976: Only got into two MLB games, but his one hit was a 2-run single off Bruce Sutter.
KLIMCHOCK 14. 1966: His 5 AB are the most of any Met without a single appearance in the field; all pinch-hitting appearances. Played parts of twelve seasons, most notably in Kansas City.
LAMABE 15. 1967: His 1967 Topps card claimed he "must keep his weight down to keep in winning form." Acquired from the White Sox and then traded to St. Louis for Al Jackson that season.
LAMB 16. 2000: Came up with Tampa in 1999 as a middle infielder, but never really amounted to much as a major leaguer.
LIDLE 17. 1997: Pitched in 54 games. RIP.
LIMA 18. 2006: 0-4, 9.87 in four starts. RIP.
LOCKE 19. 1964: 1-2, 3.48 in 25 games... and never pitched in the majors again.
MIDDLEBROOK 20. 2002-03: We traded a young Jason Bay AND Bobby Jones for him.
OSTROSSER 21. 1973: Eight MLB games, all in mid-August 1973, as a PH/shortstop.
PHILLIPS 22. 2008: June 25: Selected off waivers by the New York Mets from the Cincinnati Reds. July 3: Selected off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds from the New York Mets.
RUSTECK 23. 1966: Shut out the Reds in his MLB debut in June, then got blown out by the Cardinals four days later... and only appeared in six more MLB games.
SPRINGER 24. 1992: Long time Met minor leaguer who was traded around and then came back to Shea for five AB in 1992.
VALERA 25. 1990-91: Rose like a rocket through the Mets' system, going 15-9, 2.12 across three levels in 1989... and then was traded for Dick Schofield.

GFafif 124
FIELD 144
Batmags 47
Edgy 26
JCL 26
Ben Grimm 14
FK 8
SteveJR 6
Hahn 3
Chad 3
MetFairy 3
DocTee 3
Ceetar 3
Lefty 1
CF 1

We've got some doozies coming up the rest of this week. 17 tomorrow, 32 on Friday, 40 on Saturday, and then 52 on Sunday!

[seawolf17]

Just FOUR MORE DAYS of mystery Mets!



1. 1965: Made his MLB debut at 18, went 2-0 in 40 innings - and never pitched another MLB season.
2. 1998: Came from Arizona in the Gilkey deal, gave up McGwire's 50th HR.
3. 1991: Acquired from Atlanta, then traded to Toronto. Lefty reliever.
4. 2012-16: Fifth on the Mets' all-time saves list.
5. 2009: Oft-conflated with Andy Phillips.
6. 1974: Traded by the Mets to California for #13. Don't know his impressions of the school system there.
7. 1997-99: Finished second in the ROY voting with Atlanta in 1993. Traded from the Mets to the Dodgers in June 1998, then traded BACK to the Mets in July 1998, then traded to Oakland in July 1999.
8. 1980-81: Became a long-time pitching coach, mainly in the Cardinals organization, after retirement.
9. 1962: Bits and pieces of four major league seasons; didn't make it to the end of April as a Met.
10. 1967: 1960s MFY bullpen mainstay who struck out in all four ABs as a Met.
11. 1981: Debuted in 1969 wuith the Padres, had a good run with them and Houston, then bounced around until he finished 0-3, 9.89 with the 1981 Mets.
12. 2000-04: Smoked a joint once and Mets fans never let him forget it.
13. 1975-76: Acquired by the Mets for #6. Spent the rest of his career in the AL, including leading the league in saves in 1971 with Milwaukee.
14. 2007: Former 1st-round pick for Boston who pitched well in the AL for a long time before ending his career as a Met.
15. 2000: As a Dodger in 2001, surrendered Barry Bonds' 73rd home run on a 3-2 knuckleball.
16. 2002-04: Pitched for nine teams in 19 seasons. Won a ring in 1996.
17. 2004: Backup catcher/utility guy who had two reasonably productive seasons in Toronto in 2002-03.

GFafif 124
FIELD 144
Batmags 47
Edgy 26
JCL 26
Ben Grimm 14
FK 8
SteveJR 6
Hahn 3
Chad 3
MetFairy 3
DocTee 3
Ceetar 3
Lefty 1
CF 1

[batmagadanleadoff]

13 Ken Sanders

[batmagadanleadoff]

6 (M)Ike Hampton

[Frayed Knot]

Four = Familia

[batmagadanleadoff]

1 Jim Bethke

[batmagadanleadoff]

5 Andy Green

[batmagadanleadoff]

12 Grant Roberts

[Frayed Knot]

7 = Greg McMichael

[Frayed Knot]

10 = Hal Reniff

[batmagadanleadoff]

11 Dave Roberts

[seawolf17]

Can the field hold off Greg in the final four days? We shall see.

BETHKE 1. 1965: Made his MLB debut at 18, went 2-0 in 40 innings - and never pitched another MLB season.
2. 1998: Came from Arizona in the Gilkey deal, gave up McGwire's 50th HR.
3. 1991: Acquired from Atlanta, then traded to Toronto. Lefty reliever.
FAMILIA 4. 2012-16: Fifth on the Mets' all-time saves list.
GREEN 5. 2009: Oft-conflated with Andy Phillips.
HAMPTON 6. 1974: Traded by the Mets to California for #13. Don't know his impressions of the school system there.
McMICHAEL 7. 1997-99: Finished second in the ROY voting with Atlanta in 1993. Traded from the Mets to the Dodgers in June 1998, then traded BACK to the Mets in July 1998, then traded to Oakland in July 1999.
8. 1980-81: Became a long-time pitching coach, mainly in the Cardinals organization, after retirement.
9. 1962: Bits and pieces of four major league seasons; didn't make it to the end of April as a Met.
RENIFF 10. 1967: 1960s MFY bullpen mainstay who struck out in all four ABs as a Met.
DAVE ROBERTS 11. 1981: Debuted in 1969 wuith the Padres, had a good run with them and Houston, then bounced around until he finished 0-3, 9.89 with the 1981 Mets.
GRANT ROBERTS 12. 2000-04: Smoked a joint once and Mets fans never let him forget it.
SANDERS 13. 1975-76: Acquired by the Mets for #6. Spent the rest of his career in the AL, including leading the league in saves in 1971 with Milwaukee.
14. 2007: Former 1st-round pick for Boston who pitched well in the AL for a long time before ending his career as a Met.
15. 2000: As a Dodger in 2001, surrendered Barry Bonds' 73rd home run on a 3-2 knuckleball.
16. 2002-04: Pitched for nine teams in 19 seasons. Won a ring in 1996.
17. 2004: Backup catcher/utility guy who had two reasonably productive seasons in Toronto in 2002-03.

GFafif 124
FIELD 153
Batmags 53
Edgy 26
JCL 26
Ben Grimm 14
FK 11
SteveJR 6
Hahn 3
Chad 3
MetFairy 3
DocTee 3
Ceetar 3
Lefty 1
CF 1

[batmagadanleadoff]

2 Willie Blair

[seawolf17]

Batmags and FK trying to give you all a cushion this morning.

BETHKE 1. 1965: Made his MLB debut at 18, went 2-0 in 40 innings - and never pitched another MLB season.
BLAIR 2. 1998: Came from Arizona in the Gilkey deal, gave up McGwire's 50th HR.
3. 1991: Acquired from Atlanta, then traded to Toronto. Lefty reliever.
FAMILIA 4. 2012-16: Fifth on the Mets' all-time saves list.
GREEN 5. 2009: Oft-conflated with Andy Phillips.
HAMPTON 6. 1974: Traded by the Mets to California for #13. Don't know his impressions of the school system there.
McMICHAEL 7. 1997-99: Finished second in the ROY voting with Atlanta in 1993. Traded from the Mets to the Dodgers in June 1998, then traded BACK to the Mets in July 1998, then traded to Oakland in July 1999.
8. 1980-81: Became a long-time pitching coach, mainly in the Cardinals organization, after retirement.
9. 1962: Bits and pieces of four major league seasons; didn't make it to the end of April as a Met.
RENIFF 10. 1967: 1960s MFY bullpen mainstay who struck out in all four ABs as a Met.
DAVE ROBERTS 11. 1981: Debuted in 1969 wuith the Padres, had a good run with them and Houston, then bounced around until he finished 0-3, 9.89 with the 1981 Mets.
GRANT ROBERTS 12. 2000-04: Smoked a joint once and Mets fans never let him forget it.
SANDERS 13. 1975-76: Acquired by the Mets for #6. Spent the rest of his career in the AL, including leading the league in saves in 1971 with Milwaukee.
14. 2007: Former 1st-round pick for Boston who pitched well in the AL for a long time before ending his career as a Met.
15. 2000: As a Dodger in 2001, surrendered Barry Bonds' 73rd home run on a 3-2 knuckleball.
16. 2002-04: Pitched for nine teams in 19 seasons. Won a ring in 1996.
17. 2004: Backup catcher/utility guy who had two reasonably productive seasons in Toronto in 2002-03.

GFafif 124
FIELD 154
Batmags 54
Edgy 26
JCL 26
Ben Grimm 14
FK 11
SteveJR 6
Hahn 3
Chad 3
MetFairy 3
DocTee 3
Ceetar 3
Lefty 1
CF 1

[Guest themetfairy]

16 - David Weathers?

[Centerfield]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: seawolf17 wrote: HOW DOES HE KNOW ALL THESE FRICKING GUYS It's really mind-boggling. I couldn't ever remember that someone named "Andy Phillips" played for the Mets, much less be able to associate him with any clue you might provide, other than "His name was 'Andy Phillips'" I was going to say that Greg probably pays more attention than I do, but I'm certain that when Andy Phillips was a Met I was very much aware of him. When I watch a game I always know who's on the active roster, and therefore who's available to sub or pinch hit. But I guess I don't retain this stuff nearly as well as Greg does.

Imagine how I feel with exactly 1 point in all of this. And it's because it's Jose Lima, and I only knew that because he died.

Basically if you're alive, I'm not going to remember you.

[Edgy MD]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: 5 Andy Green

Dammit, that one was mine.

[Centerfield]

Is 15 Chan Ho Park? I don't remember him throwing a knuckleball.

[G-Fafif]

15 Dennis Springer

[G-Fafif]

14 Aaron Sele

[G-Fafif]

3 Tony Castillo