Benjamin Grimm

This is a bit of history: The first time a World Series rematch occurred in an LCS. Anyway, who are you rooting for?

I think it all hinges on how willing he is to negotiate during this exclusive period. I think he'll be back, but it's a very weak feeling. Maybe I'm at 51%.

I remember the same argument being made about guys like Ray Knight. The fact that Knight did virtually nothing from 1987 on didn't stop Mets fans from saying that the Mets were wrong to let him go, and that move was a reason the Mets didn't repeat.

The most surprising thing in this thread, to me, is that there's somebody out there named "Al Alburquerque"

I voted 6, liked it but didn't love it. (My ten-year-old daughter liked it a lot.) I did like the bladder meter and wish I had one.

Yeah, me too.

Jose Reyes on contract talks with Mets: "Everything is quiet" Aaron Gleeman Oct 7, 2011, 10:15 AM EDT Last month there were reports that the Mets wanted a quick decision from Jose Reyes, but yesterday the free agent shortstop told Nick Klopsis of New York Newsday that the two sides haven�t even started contract talks. "They�ll probably start up within the next few days, but right now everything is quiet," Reyes said, reiterating that he�d like to re-sign with the Mets while adding that "this is a business and we just need to wait and see what happens." From now until five days after the World Series the Mets are the only team able to negotiate with Reyes, but the fact that they haven�t reached out to him yet is ultimately pretty meaningless. There�s almost zero chance of Reyes re-signing before hitting the open market, so while getting the ball rolling on negotiations may have some value it won�t keep the Mets from having to out-bid a bunch of other teams for him once the offers start flying. Aaron Gleeman wrote: There�s almost zero chance of Reyes re-signing before hitting the open market I don't know that that's true. They were saying the same thing about Mike Piazza in 1998, I recall.

One fantasy retirement scenario I have is to retire to Hawaii. I'd be able to watch Mets night games at 2 p.m., and even West Coast night games would start as early as 5 p.m. (And day games would start at 7 a.m.!) I think I'd like that.

I haven't been watching, so I got the good news when I woke up this morning. Nice way to start the day.

He's probably rooting for the Phillies, because he looks like Mike Schmidt.

I much prefer the Tigers of Detroit.

Who are you rooting for?

I didn't know Jose Reyes was Jewish!

YAY!

It's probably the clear strong signal of 660 AM that gave them their market share. I used to listen to Mike and the Mad Dog too, because my drive was short and I wanted to hear any breaking news about the Mets. When my drive got longer I realized I had to just stop lest I suffer from idiocy overload. Now I listen to NPR. It's been six years since I've heard Mike Francesa's voice, and I don't miss him, or WFAN even a little. In the 21st Century, with AM, FM, satellite, Internet, podcasts, iPhones, etc to say there's "nothing else on" is absurd. There are countless alternatives to Mike Francesa.

Add two more names to the list of potential bench coaches: Adam Rubin wrote: Former major league managers Jim Riggleman, John McLaren, Bob Geren and Larry Bowa appear on the New York Mets' internal list of candidates to become bench coach, organization sources told ESPNNewYork.com.

G-Fafif wrote: Just noticed (because the whole set is currently my wallpaper), Murphy is 1b-of in 1971. Projecting his next card as INF. Wow, I'm flattered about the wallpaper thing. (Do you mean the wallpaper on your computer, or in your house?) Good eye on the Daniel Murphy card. That one is actually a holdover from 2009 when he was in the race for September POTM (eventually won by Jeff Francoeur). The 1b-of designation was more appropriate then, but since Murphy's 2011 win closed during a time I was away on vacation I didn't have the opportunity to change his position on the card. (And I'm not sure what I would have chosen anyway!) Edgy DC wrote: It's not hard, in fact, to imagine him (Reyes) not wearing pants at all. Unfortunately, we no longer have to imagine him without pants.

I got a kick out of revisiting my improbable 2005 championship. I Think It's Don Grant Now, Pedro is the Guy Dwarves Climb On and my Lee Mazzilli version of Both Sides Now.

I would think that it would be worth more than Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball. But who knows? I doubt that I'll be in the bidding. If I was a collector, there's probably no ball that I would want more than that one. I was at Shea that night, and that 10th inning is, and forever will be, the apex of my career as a baseball fan.

I think they should hire Joe Pignatano, Yogi Berra, Eddie Yost, and the ghost of Rube Walker. (It's amazing that most of Gil Hodges' coaching staff is still alive.)

So Mookie will be offered another job in the organization, but Oberkfell won't? I'm sure it's because of the Metliness factor.

Rockies to go hard after David Wright By Evan Brunell Posted on: October 5, 2011 2:00 pm The Rockies had quite a disappointing season, missing 90 losses by one measly game and extending their postseason drought to two years. Colorado's serious about arresting its decline and ensuring that the team can contend with Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez under contract and to that end plan to be aggressive in its pursuit of third baseman David Wright of the Mets, the Denver Post writes. Heralded prospect Ian Stewart failed spectacularly, Ty Wigginton left such a sour taste in Colorado's mouth they want to deal him even it means eating money, and Jordan Pachecho isn't anyone's idea of a viable player even if he could succeed in a platoon. None of these names are the slugging right-handed bat the club craves to protect Tulowitzki in the order and drop Todd Helton to sixth. Wright can be that man, but the Mets don't intend on dealing the face of the franchise, especially with fellow star player Jose Reyes set to hit free agency. (Read Eye on Baseball's R.I.P covering the Mets, in which it is recommended the team let Reyes walk.) The Rockies would certainly have to give up some of their starting pitching depth in any deal with the Mets, as GM Sandy Alderson is keying in on those positions. Colorado could also theoretically ship Wigginton to New York as a temporary fill-in, and the team could also discuss top third-base prospect Nolan Arenado. If Wright is a no-go, the team could revisit a trade for the Pirates' Pedro Alvarez or San Diego's Chase Headley, whom the club attempted to get earlier in the season. The Rockies would trade away Stewart in that case, although the team is loathe to part with Stewart at the nadir of his value. Still, the club is sufficiently frustrated enough with Stewart and his lack of preparation for 2011 to be ready to move on. "He has to make baseball his first priority from the start of the winter until the end of it," Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd said. "If he's willing to do that, we are willing to give him another opportunity."

I think Sandy is counting on the price of relievers this winter being a lot less than it was when the Mets signed Frankie Rodriguez a few years ago, at least partly because there will be a number to choose from. If that's the case, the Mets will probably be in on it. And if that doesn't prove true, then it will be Parnell or Acosta or somebody like that. My guess: He'll pay up to $6 million for a closer. Is that high priced? I think so, but compared to what we've seen in the past, it could be considered relatively inexpensive.

Thank you! I do try to match the photo with the years. The Ruben Tejada works for 1975 but would not have for a 1970, for example. Every once in a while, when I look at one of these cards that I've made, I actually can imagine the smell of bubble gum. When that happens, I know I have a winner.

I know he was already mentioned in this thread, in the opening post, but it's time to mention Chris Christie again now that he may* be flirting with the idea of becoming the biggest Met-loving bigshot of all. * Me, I don't think he'll take the plunge. But I suppose we'll find out soon enough.