New Mets autograph collection additions
I was able to add a pair of autographs to my Mets collection last night at the Newark Bears home opener.
Newark’s new manager for 2013 is Garry Templeton, who finished his major league playing career with the 1991 New York Mets. He was much better known as a St. Louis Cardinal (where he was a two-time All-Star) and a San Diego Padre (where he played for 10 seasons and made his final All-Star appearance in 1985.)
The Rockland Boulders’ new pitching coach is Bobby M. Jones, the left-handed reliever who played for the New York Mets in 2000 and 2002. Jones also appeared in three early-season games for the 2004 Boston Red Sox, but spent most of his major league playing career with the Colorado Rockies.
(Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
The Bears lost the game 3-1, with their batters striking out 16 times. It seemed like the team was practicing the same hitting batting philosophy as the Mets do these days – run up the opponents’ pitch count in expectation of it leading to better scoring chances. Continue reading →
A pair of mementos of Mets games past
My friends sent me a pair of mementos tangentially related to Mets games of the semi-recent past.
It’s hard to believe, but it was four years ago last month that Citi Field opened. I couldn’t make it to the first exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox, and I didn’t think the Opening Day ticket prices were worth it so I didn’t get to see a lot of the ballpark’s “firsts.”
But I did get to see Jed Lowrie, then of the Boston Red Sox, hit the first grand slam at Citi Field at the Mets’ second exhibition game against the Red Sox. I thought my friend Bart would at least appreciate this photo of Lowrie crossing the plate afterwards, so I had it printed and gave it to him. He sent copies of it to Lowrie a few times, and one that he’d given up for lost made its way back to him so he gave me the duplicate.
Jed Lowrie signed this photo of him crossing home plate after hitting the unofficial first grand slam at Citi Field in 2009.
My friend Greg also passed along a program from the Miami Marlins series with the Mets last week at Marlins Park. (It was from the one game they came back to win.)
2013 Miami Marlins program
I’m thankful for the interesting, unexpected additions to my collection.
Odds & ends: Portland Sea Dogs pics and an Adam Greenberg autograph
Autographed Adam Greenberg 2013 Topps baseball card from my collection
I’m still around, but when I’ve had the time to write, I haven’t had much of an inclination.
Aside from Matt Harvey and David Wright, there’s precious little reason to watch the Mets these days. Sure, they’ll surprise you in a good way every so often – but they will find new ways to frustrate more often than not. Even Mother Nature doesn’t seem to want to see them play.
I have not added any new Mets autographs to my collection lately, though I will be able to add the card Andrew Brown signed for me via mail during spring training to my Mets binder now. But I have picked up a few more signed cards at various non-major league games. One of the highlights was getting Adam Greenberg to sign his 2013 Topps baseball card last week.
And I had fun in Trenton last weekend watching the Portland Sea Dogs beat the Trenton Thunder with my friend Bart. I’d have to double check my scorecards, but I think it was the first time I ever saw the Sea Dogs win.
Here are some photos from the game:
Boston Red Sox prospect Xander Bogaerts is out at second base on the front end of a double play (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
Recent collection additions & the week ahead
I’m not quite sure when this became a “once a week” blog, but that’s kind of where we are now.
I expect to get to a couple of baseball games this week. I’m going to one of the games between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees at the House of Evil – I’d agreed to go back before Jose Reyes got hurt and when I hoped that R.A. Dickey might pitch. Unfortunately, Dickey’s not in line to start the game I’m going to see.
I also expect to make my first trip to Trenton next weekend to see the Thunder and the Portland Sea Dogs. Hopefully I’ll manage to blog about one or both of the games, but I should at least manage to post a few pictures to my Flickr account.
I’d also like to see Matt Harvey face the Dodgers on Wednesday, but I don’t know that time and money will allow it.
I added one new card to my Mets autograph collection last week, a signed Tim Byrdak 2012 Topps Update card, his first that shows him as a Met. It came back postmarked from Florida, where Byrdak is continuing to rehab from shoulder surgery. Hopefully he will be able to return to the Mets bullpen this year.
Signed Tim Byrdak 2012 Topps Update card from my collection
Some new & old new Mets autographs
While I’m playing catch-up today, here are a few recent additions to my New York Mets autograph collection, encompassing players both old and new.
First, courtesy of Eric, are a pair of signed 1962 Topps cards – pitcher Bob L. Miller and catcher Chris Cannizzaro.
Next, courtesy of Ryan, a signed 2009 Bowman Chrome card of new Mets reliever Greg Burke.
Finally, courtesy of one of the dealers at the monthly sports card show at the Rahway Senior Center, a 2013 Gypsy Queen Jeurys Familia autographed insert card.
(If you have any doubles of the regular Gypsy Queen cards from this year’s set, I need three more regular cards to finish my Mets team set.)
Broken Bat with Corey Mansfield>> Vlad On Inactive List
Vlad On Inactive List, Ducks Acquire Fleishman And Sign Jones
Dontrelle Willis, Ramon Castro and Ian Snell were among some of the ex-big leaguers who were on hand for the Long Island Ducks fan fest yesterday. Strong Island Grapher has a recap of the event from an autograph collector’s perspective.
[PRESS RELEASE] If you ‘like’ Dana-Farber, you could love an authentic Red Sox home jersey signed by Ellsbury
BOSTON — Would you love a chance to win an authentic Boston Red Sox home jersey signed by star outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury? Then like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on Facebook.
Online now, and running through Monday, May 6, people who “like” Dana-Farber on Facebook, www.facebook.com/danafarbercancerinstitute, will be entered to win the Ellsbury autographed Red Sox jersey.
Dana-Farber launched the contest to generate greater awareness about its online community on Facebook, which offers information for cancer patients and their families and friends, and provides an inside look at Dana-Farber, its services and programs, and its employees and volunteers.
This year marks the 60th anniversary (#JFRedSox60) of the historic partnership between the Red Sox and the Jimmy Fund, which together support adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber. From Ted Williams to Mike Andrews to Roger Clemens to Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Will Middlebrooks, Red Sox players have been quick to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber, including visiting patients at the clinics and helping with fundraising initiatives. The chance to win the autographed Ellsbury jersey continues this tradition and is part of a season-long celebration of the 60th anniversary.
Contest participants must be 18 years of age or older and a legal resident of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia as of the date of entry in order to be included in the drawing. No purchase is necessary and only one entry per participant is allowed. Official rules are available online at http://tinyurl.com/9nomakp.
About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (www.dana-farber.org) is a principal teaching affiliate of the Harvard Medical School and is among the leading cancer research and care centers in the United States. It is a founding member of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC), designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute. It provides adult cancer care with Brigham and Women’s Hospital as Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center and it provides pediatric care with Children’s Hospital Boston as Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center. Dana-Farber is the top ranked cancer center in New England, according to U.S. News & World Report, and one of the largest recipients among independent hospitals of National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health grant funding. Follow Dana-Farber on Facebook: www.facebook.com/danafarbercancerinstitute and on Twitter:
@danafarber.
