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Brooklyn's own Bob Aspromonte wanted to be a Met in 1962. The American League had expanded in 1961 and the National League took its turn the following year with the addition of Houston and New York, which had only one team since the end of the 1957 season. Aspromonte was hoping that the Mets would select him – a Brooklyn kid coming home – but it wasn't meant to be. The Colt 45s selected infielder Eddie Bressoud from San Francisco with the first pick, setting up the Mets to take Aspromonte. New York, however, grabbed catcher Hobie Landrith from the Giants before Houston took Aspromonte with the third pick. Legendary former Yankees manager Casey Stengel, who was in the twilight of his career, was named as New York's manager as much for his box-office appeal as his managerial skills. When asked why the club chose Landrith, he responded “You gotta have a catcher or you're gonna have a lot of passed balls”. Naturally, Aspromonte was disappointed. “I thought the Mets would take me and I was going to go back home,” he said. “Naturally, we were all waiting for it. That was the biggest surprise. [Houston GM] Paul Richards took the young kid. That's how it started. It was a blessing because it opened a new tale and new city.” Aspromonte was immediately penciled in as Houston's third baseman and would go on to take his place in the annals of franchise history. The Colt 45s ended up trading Bressoud to Boston so Aspromonte became the first expansion draft pick in franchise history to play for the club. He would go on to be the franchise's first batter, collect its first hit in the team's first at-bat on Opening Day in 1962, a single off Don Cardwell at Colts Stadium. He scored Houston's first run, drew its first walk and stole its first base. “The recognition I get on a regular basis [because of the firsts] is there even today,” Aspromonte said. “They have this little video they show of Bob Aspromonte getting the first hit, saying that he did all these things. Every time they bring my name up it brings up all the old stories. I started seven seasons here at third base and it worked out very well. “You have to remember one thing. I was a 21-year-old kid now getting to play every day. That first year I played over 150 games. That was a hell of a first year and it offsets everything else. So that experience alone offset it [not going to the Mets]. After one start, that's all gone and it's been a blessing for me.” His wish came true in 1971. Aspromonte saw his playing time diminish further in 1970 [127 at-bats] and he was traded to the Mets that December for Ron Herbel. He was, at last, coming home. “That was the greatest feeling,” Aspromonte said. “[Mets manager] Hodges had tried to get me two years prior. When they had a problem with third baseman Wayne Garrett being in the service they needed someone and it was a great surprise. Gil kept mentioning it and for it actually happen, I'll never forget it. “I arrived in Spring Training and Gil and I were in his office and I gave him a big hug. The only thing I wanted to do was wear No. 14 and Gil said no Bobby, you get No. 2.” Aspromonte got off to a solid start and was hitting .270 on June 1 before a calf injury later that month June set him back. When he returned to the lineup, he wasn't the same and finished the season hitting .225 in 104 games. “I had about five homers and was driving in runs and one game the pitcher threw a changeup and I hesitated,” Aspromonte said. “I stuck my leg out but I didn't swing. I stopped because I was off center and I tore my left calf muscle. From there, it was very difficult. “I had a fantastic first two months and I wished I stayed out longer instead of trying to come back too quickly. That was a big mistake. I came back too fast. When I came back I was conscious that I couldn't move like I used to. It was uncomfortable and that was sad because I had been doing so well.” https://ballnine.com/2022/07/18/aspro-the-astro/https://ballnine.com/2022/07/18/aspro-the-astro/

Jeff McNeil will bat ninth for the NL.

Slight echo of the players surrounding Ted Williams at the Fenway ASG. Very sweet to see

Longtime Mets Spanish-language announcer Juan Alicea has died. Longtime Mets Spanish radio broadcaster and pioneer Juan Alicea passed away this morning peacefully in his sleep at his home in Florida. He was 85. Alicea joined the organization in April of 1969 and served in a variety of capacities including scouting and community relations before finding his home in the Spanish broadcasting booth in 1982, where he remained through 2019. Alicea was behind the mic for over 4,000 Mets games, including being the leading voice on the International Spanish Network during the 1986 postseason which aired throughout the United States and Latin America. Last year, the Mets named the Spanish Radio Booth at Citi Field in his honor. “Juan was an innovator and pioneer in the Spanish broadcasting field as well as renowned and respected throughout the industry as an extraordinary broadcaster,” said Mets President Sandy Alderson. “He was instrumental in the creation of Hispanic Marketing, Promotions and Community Events. His 50 years of service made him a highly regarded member of the Mets family. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his son John and granddaughter Damiana.” “Juan was a legendary figure on the Spanish Mets broadcasts,” said Tim Scheld, Brand Manager, WCBS 880. “We've been proud and honored to have worked alongside someone of such character, kindness and talent.” “Juan was not only my role model, but a father figure as well,” said Mets Spanish radio broadcaster Max Perez Jimenez. “We have all lost a true master professor of baseball and all his teachings and wisdom will remain with me forever.”

Starling Marte will be “inactive” for the All-Star Game, rather than “will not participate,” so that implies he will be introduced amid ear-splitting music. Freddie Freeman takes his roster spot.

Rest in peace, Ed.

Nimmo CF Marte RF Lindor SS Alonso 1B Canha LF Davis some made up position not worthy of J.D.'s emerging defensive prowess Escobar 3B McNeil 2B, just like in the All-Star Game Nido C Max Scherzer will pitch and the Cubs will fucking like it.

Jeff is first Met starter in an ASG since Harvey and Wright in 2013.

A 2022 All-Star we used to have, Andres Giménéz, has been named McNeil's opposite starting number for the AL.

Soto, Trout and Ohtani rumors may swirl, but Jeff McNeil has been elevated to starting 2B for the NL with Smooth Jazz Chisolm bowing out of the All-Star Game.

The voters of Georgia would gladly trade Herschel Walker for Juan Soto.

Knowin' Yoan, tomorrow he'll be goin'.

Yoan Lopez is your 27th man for both games.

At Wrigley and Fenway or wherever tickets are at a genuine premium, I can appreciate the utility of separate-admission affairs for the reason Gwreck spelled out. But I can't cotton to referring to “Game 1” and “Game 2”. That's for a traditional doubleheader, which is preferable in all other less grubbing instances. Saturday will have “the Day game” and “the Night game” in my book. Subtle difference, but a person has to take a stand.

Thanks for enlarging and reading. That's how I've been doing it all this time (ancient iMac). Mr. Bauta — pronounced Bah-OO-ta — would no doubt appreciate the attention, posthumousness notwithstanding.

2:20 and 8:05, Eastern time Saturday.

Rained out. D/N tomorrow.

Pitcher to the stars… Bauta's good looks were frequently mentioned in contemporary newspaper articles about him, and he had many high-profile friendships — his obituary noted time spent with Doris Day, Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin. https://ripbaseball.com/2022/07/15/obituary-ed-bauta-1935-2022/https://ripbaseball.com/2022/07/15/obituary-ed-bauta-1935-2022/

The 2015 Mets moved to 89-67 the day after clinching the NL East. They are 22 games over .500 for the first time since.

Marte's legs seem in shape.

August 12's Mets-Phillies game will be growing the MLB brand. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/07/apple-and-mlb-announce-august-friday-night-baseball-doubleheader-schedule/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/07/apple-and-mlb-announce-august-friday-night-baseball-doubleheader-schedule/

Inciarte DFA'd to make room for Daddy McNeil.

Ender DFA'd.