G-Fafif

https://mobile.twitter.com/greg_prince/status/1145465341000089600/photo/1https://mobile.twitter.com/greg_prince/status/1145465341000089600/photo/1 I notice the Mets used the spelling "Jessie," which I've seen on UMDB and nowhere else. If they indeed spoke to him, perhaps he confirmed the spelling.

DFA'd to make room for Syndergaard.

Jim Gosger lives http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2019/06/30/jim-gosger-lives/and other reflections from a beautiful celebration of 1969.

28TH HR: Hundley 1996: Mets Game 102 Beltran 2006: Mets Game 100 Alonso 2019: Mets Game 83 Kingman 1976: Mets Game 86 (Pete's pace has, for the moment, surpassed Dave's.)

That's some classic columnizing there. Tom Seaver didn't punch Dick Young (or Don Grant), therefore Jason Vargas is the worst. Actually, I'm down with the conclusion, but still.

Thanks Dave. I mean 41 Forever.

Sarah and her sister Annie are all grown up now, which is not the least bit surprising in light of how calendars work, but still. Little Sarah Lynne, her own sons in attendance, stands at the podium speaking on behalf of her mom and dad. Dad, we know, can't be here today for this ceremony nor this weekend for the fiftieth-anniversary celebration of the 1969 Mets' world championship, captured against the Orioles, all odds and without Rusty Staub. It was gratifying to pick out Jerry Koosman, Cleon Jones, Jerry Grote and Bud Harrelson in the front row of the audience. It was dispiriting understanding why Tom, back in California suffering from dementia, couldn't and can't join them. I look forward to the reunion of those who will be there. I will be there standing and applauding for the team that introduced me to the wonders of baseball. But I will miss Tom something fierce. When Sarah spoke for her parents, I felt somewhat better. She assured us Tom and Nancy are still out in Napa Valley diligently taking care of one another and their vineyard. She quoted Tom on the subject of working one's “rear end” off. As soon as she said that, I heard Tom's voice and smiled. Then the curtain was pulled off the nameplate at the side entrance to Citi Field. 41 Seaver Way looked so good, so appropriate, as if that's where the Mets had always resided. Sure, absolutely, this should have been done when Tom Seaver could have been there to take it all in, but, ultimately, the important thing is it's there for everybody who comes to a Mets game to see now and for as much forever as a ballpark can produce. Same with the statue. The past is baseball's gift to its fans. Any reminder of the best of its past is eternally welcome. Parents and children, friends and acquaintances, diehards and tourists will all show up at Shea's successor and pause before a larger-than-life version of the pitcher who was larger than life to a franchise. Who was and forever will be the Franchise. They will see the street signs. They will think about and talk about Seaver Way and Seaver's ways. Tom won't be there, but his spirit will come alive. True, I won't any longer be able to send a check or money order for $1.50 to 123-01 126th St., Flushing, N.Y. 11368 to receive my copy of the all-new revised edition of the Mets Official Yearbook, which includes a handsome full-color team picture suitable for framing…but I probably wasn't go to be able to do that anymore anyway. More http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2019/06/28/way-to-go/here.

The Mets, once alerted to their Murphy mixup, repurposed the picture: https://www.metsheritage.com/item/murphy-selected-manager-for-miracle/?postId=3107https://www.metsheritage.com/item/murphy-selected-manager-for-miracle/?postId=3107

Make Gil Jr. manager for the weekend. Art and Cleon can be his bench coaches. Then let Riggleman or whoever caretake until the break. Call Girardi or someone legit for after the break. Today wasn't Mickey's fault. He sent his closer out there and his closer imploded. But asking Mets fans to keep looking at this unsuited, unskilled manager and dare to propose they buy tickets is a bruise to the brand.

Holy fuck.does not begin to describe this.

IGT of record here.

Side street, entrance to offices. Roosevelt Ave is still Roosevelt Ave. They need to stencil 41 on the curb as well.

Nicely executed presentation. Howie's a masterful master of ceremonies. Stunning to realize the grown woman speaking on Seaver's behalf was the same little Sarah who appeared in the yearbook's family section annually. She (and Howie) underscored that Tom is aware of this honor. Entrance looks good. Statue announced. Model flashed on screen, no details. Cardinal Dolan placed Rusty Staub on ‘69 Mets. Citi Field's NYC council member essentially read from Wikipedia. Jeff Wilpon revealed he was at ‘69 Series. Many teammates visible in audience. A Let's Go Mets chant arose at end. Nice start to hopefully a lovely tribute weekend.

Naming ceremonies happening now on SNY, streaming where you'd expect.

I suspended Jason Vargas for one start from Schaefer voting.

Time probably couldn't have gotten away with a funky Dr. K given that they had to assume a portion of their readership was unfamiliar with the baseball player. SI didn't have to explain Dwight Gooden on its cover and could go to town. Doc on the cover of Time was a nice surprise (take that, Gaddafi, if in fact that's how you spell your name). Doc on the cover of SI was if not the obvious choice, not out of the box. The SI photo's angle has grown on me since 1985 let alone the beginning of this tournament. I'm going with it here.

Apparently I also can't stand DGW's brother-in-law. Or his doppelgänger. Gary Cohen gave Vargas as close to the Roberto Alomar treatment as I've heard him dispense since he moved to TV, gently but firmly condemning both his behavior toward Healey and his failure to own up to it the next day. Vargas made himself even less sympathetic tonight when he intimated there was far more to what happened than that which is known but chose not to elaborate. Threatening a reporter is bad enough. But letting down Gary Cohen is inexcusable.

Trade value must be cresting. Sell high to one of those teams that is lightly covered.

Mike Baxter, Vanderbilt assistant coach, celebrates Commodores' College World Series championship.

RHP Chris Mazza joins the club from Syracuse. Will wear No. 74 for some ridiculous reason. When he makes his MLB debut, he'll be the 400th to be Born A Met. Lockett sent down. O'Rourke DFA'd. Next win is franchise regular season win No. 4,400.

This is the "runoff" portion. Alonso, like all the Mets, were on the "primary" ballot, which was in circulation for several weeks. He finished fifth, highest among Mets, but they only take the top three at each position. It's supposed to create excitement, or in the case of Mets fans, hostility.

Paddy Power should have made the odds on Regan 82:1.

Already found a head-shaking mistake: https://www.metsheritage.com/item/murphy-on-the-field-in-1973-world-series/?postId=3302https://www.metsheritage.com/item/murphy-on-the-field-in-1973-world-series/?postId=3302 Wrong Murphy. Wrong World Series.

Neil Walker is off the Marlins 10-day DL.

Batting both .223 with little discernible power and third on June 25 (tonight).