RICK AGUILERA METS BIRTHDAY QUOTE OF THE DAY: DECEMBER 31ST

Happy Mets Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day to Rick Aguilera. He was born on December 31, 1961.

He had a terrific major league career, lasting for sixteen years, eleven of which were spent with the Twins where he became one of baseball's top closers.

Aguilera did have some excellent years with the Mets from 1985--1989. He was 37-27 during his Mets career. In his rookie year, he was 10-7 and would have gotten a lot more recognition but he was pitching along side another rookie phenom Dwight Gooden. In the Mets World Series year of 1986, he was also 10-7 and the following year he was 11-3.  He also was the winning pitcher in Game 6 of the legendary 1986 World Series, though he did not pitch well.

On July 31, 1989, he was part of the trade to the Twins that brought Frank Viola (shout out to Frankie V who went to my high school) to the Mets. Aguilera became a three time all-star as the Twins relief ace. Ultimately, he was elected to the Twins Hall of Fame.

In honor of his great first few years with the Mets, Rick Aguilera gets the Mets Birthday Quote of the Day,

"Right now Aguilera is the best righthander in the National League. He's throwing a cut fastball from a low three-quarters delivery that he stays out behind your back and brings to the outside corner."
--Keith Hernandez, talking about Rick Aguilera

Ralph Milliard: Happy Mets Birthday, December 30th

Today in Mets birthday history, Ralph Milliard was born. No quotes on Milliard as he only had one official at bat as a Met in 1998 and he struck out. However the speedy second baseman did score three runs for the Mets.

Prior to his tenure with the Mets, he played for the Marlins for two years including being a part of their 1997 World Series championship.

He is most famous to us Mets fans as being the player included in the deal that brought Al Leiter to the Mets in exchange for A.J. Burnett.

Very Happy Birthday to Ralph Milliard

METS INSULT OF THE DAY; CASEY STENGEL

As great as www.baseballquotations.com is for thousands of quotes, they don't have any on the only Met player born on December 29th, Emil Brown.

That means we go to the archives for a classic Mets insult. No one delivered more of them then the Old Professor, Casey Stengel. Casey, of course, is the legendary Hall of Fame Manager, most recognized for his years with the Yankees. He came out of retirement to manage the first few years of the Amazing Mets franchise.

He had better success with the Mets off the field than on the field. He had a lot of funny things to say. Today's Mets quote of the day is from Casey talking about the first year of the Mets.

"Our first game was April 10, 1962, and it was our best game. It was rained out."

RAY KNIGHT METS BASEBALL BIRTHDAY QUOTE OF THE DAY: DECEMBER 27th

Happy Birthday to a man who will always have a special place in Mets history--Ray Knight.

Knight was a terrific third baseman over his career. Talk about having it tough from the start of his career. He was the man who replaced Pete Rose at third base for the Reds after Rose left for the Phillies. All he did that year was hit .318.

Of course as Mets fans, we love him for the 1986 World Series. He was the MVP of the 1986 World Series. He scored the winning run in Game 6 of the '86 World Series after Mookie Wilson's ball went through Bill Buckner's leg. He also hit the decisive home run in Game 7 of the Series. People forget that the Mets were actually behind the Red Sox in Game 7. For the Series, he hit .391. He hit .298 in the regular season and was voted the National League Comeback Player of the Year.

Knight is also known for his marriage to Nancy Lopez. one of the top golfer's in LPGA history.

For these many accomplishments, he beats out, among others, one of my all-time favorite Mets player, John 'The Hammer' Milner as the recipient of today's Mets Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day.

"If it weren't for the money, I'd retire and go caddie my wife." Ray Knight, on being married to LPGA legend Nancy Lopez

ADDISON REED: METS BIRTHDAY QUOTE OF THE DAY: DECEMBER 27TH

Happy Birthday to a player who could have been the Mets MVP of the 2016 season---Addison Reed. What a year for Reed...In 2016, he pitched 77.2 innings and gave up 17 runs for an E.RA. under 2.00. He struck out 91 batters and pitched an astounding 80 games for the Mets last year.

For an incredible 2016 season, Addison Reed gets the Mets Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day.

"He's not afraid. He's got a good fastball, hard slider, as well as a change up."
--Don Cooper, talking about Addison Reed

DAVID LETTERMAN METS INSULT OF THE DAY

Happy Mets Birthday to Al Jackson and Ray Sadecki. Unfortunately, www.baseballquotations.com with their vast array of over eleven thousand quotes, does not have any for either of these two players, so we fall back on another funny David Letterman Mets Insult.

"91 Million is an awful lot of money, but don't kid yourself---it's not an easy paycheck. The man for the next seven years has to attend every single Mets game."
--David Letterman, on Mike Piazza's seven year, $91 million contract with the Mets

Mets Birthday Quote of the Day--Rickey Henderson

For two years of his storied career, Rickey Henderson was a Met. He played for the Mets in 1999 and 2000. In '99, he hit .315. and had 37 stolen bases. In 2000, he had 36 stolen bases for the Men from Flushing.

Henderson was the greatest leadoff man in baseball history. His list of accomplishments is incredible---all time leader in stolen bases, career lead off home runs, stolen bases in a season and career runs scored. He was also the 12 time leader in stolen bases, ten time all-star and 1990 MVP. He is one of the greatest players of all-time.

In honor of his Christmas Day Birthday and this two years with the Mets, he is the recipient of the Mets Birthday Quote of the Day.

"I could sit on the bench and score three runs."

Check out thousands of baseball quotes at www.baseballquotations.com


--Rickey Henderson

David Letterman Mets Insult of the Day

Frank Taveras was the only Met player born today, December 24th. As impressive a directory as www.baseballquotations.com is, we do not have any Frank Taveras quotes.

So, on Christmas Eve, I thought we would provide a great quote from David Letterman who often took shots at the boys from Flushing.

"The Mets had a press conference and announced that all 1995 games would be played on the road."
--David Letterman, on how the Mets could improve their attendance in 1995

Happy Mets Baseball Quotation: JERRY KOOSMAN Turning 73 Today

Today is the birthday of my all-time favorite Met, Jerry Koosman. Koos was born on December 23rd, 1943.

Koos lasted in the majors from 1967--1985. Thought he won twenty games for the Twins and pitched for the White Sox and Phillies, he will always be a Met.

Breaking into the Mets in 1968, he was 19 and 12 with a 2.08 E.R.A. It took the greatest catcher in baseball history, Johnny Bench to beat him out as Rookie of the Year.

But what makes Koos my favorite player was what he did for the Miracle Mets in 1969. He had a great regular season with a 17 and 9 record and a 2.28 E.R.A. Even though the Mets swept the Braves in the National League Championship, he did not pitch well against the Braves. That all changed in the World Series.

After the Mets lost Game 1 of the World Series, Koos came out in Game 2 and pitched a gem. Then to top it off he won the World Series clincher in Game 5. His World Series record that year was 2-0 with a 2.04 E.R.A.  Koos was the real World Series MVP.

In honor of his incredibly clutch performances as a Met, Jerry Koosman gets the Mets Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day.

"Your with a guy you watched years ago and he's the same. He's just a big old farm boy. He throws all the pitches. He's smart. He understands the concept of pitching.

Tug McGraw--Talking about Jerry Koosman

Happy Mets Quotation Belated Birthday--David Wright

Have not been able to post the last few days so a belated Happy Birthday two days ago to The Captain, David Wright who turned 34 on December 20th.

The greatest third baseman in Mets history has played with the team since 2004. Over that period, he has been a seven time all-star, two time Gold Glove winner and two time Silver Slugger Award winner.

He has a career .296 batting average and he is the all-time Mets leader in many offensive categories including hits, rbi's, runs scored, doubles and extra base hits. He has been the heart and soul of the franchise for over a decade. That is why he is the Captain and will come back and have a great season in 2016.

Here is the David Wright belated birthday Quote of the Day,

"I wish I never had to pitch to that kid. As hard as it is to fathom, he doesn't have a weakness."
--John Smoltz, talking about David Wright

New York Mets Insult in Quotes

Not much going on in the world of Mets birthdays on December 18th. So we went back into the vault of www.baseballquotations.com to find some quotes about the Mets. Of course, there are a lot of classic Mets put downs from Casey, David Letterman and lots of others.

This classic is supplied by long time Los Angeles Times sports columnist and Pulitzer Prize Winner, Jim Murray.

Of the Mets, Murray said,

"I hate the New York Mets more than I hate communists. At least communists don't have off season problems.'
Jim Murray

Happy December 17th Mets Birthday---BOB OJEDA

Bobby Ojeda was born this day in 1957. Ojeda started his career with the Red Sox, but from 1986--1990, he played with the Mets.

His time with the Mets was very eventful as he was a key cog in their 1986 World Series victory, compiling an 18-5 record in the '86 season. He also started the greatest game in baseball history---Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.

Our dreams of a third World Series in 1988 took a severe blow when Ojeda, who had a great year, got hurt in a fluke hedge trimmer accident. He missed the '88 post season. We Mets fans were convinced that a healthy Ojeda would have played a key role in beating the Dodgers in the '88 post season, but that is water under the bridge. After all, it was almost 30 years ago. Alright, I'm lying, I think about it way too much, even after all these years.

After his baseball career, Ojeda became an analyst on the SNY Channel. He was great in that role---candid and insightful.

Because of his great contribution to the Mets over the years, Ojeda is the recipient of the Mets baseball birthday quote of the day. Please note that we have lots of Ojeda quotes on our web page www.baseballquotations.org, but I picked the funniest one.


"Not if I had to have his brain, too."
--Bob Ojeda, asked if he wanted Randy Myers's fast ball.

Ralph Kiner Quote of the Day

I do not have any quotes for the Mets players born on December 16th---Chris Jones, Chris Jelic and Tom Gorman, so the ultimate placeholder for funny quotes regarding people associated with the New York Mets is Ralph Kiner.

Here is the Kinerism Quote for Today

"Kevin McReynolds stops at third and he scores."
--Ralph Kiner

Mets Baseball Birthday Quote--December 15th--Mo Vaughn

December 15th 1967 was the birth of future American League MVP, Mo Vaughn. Vaughn had some incredible years with the Red Sox. His MVP Year of 1995, .300, 39 Home runs and 126 ribbies was not even close to his best year. In 1996, he had 143 ribbies and a .326 batting average.

He was one of the most feared power hitters of his era. After leaving the Red Sox, he signed with the Angels. He spent the last two years of his career with the Mets (we always seem to get them too early or too late). In the 2002 season, he hit .249 with 29 home runs and in 2003, his final season, he only had seventy nine at bats.

In honor of his two year tenure with the Mets, Mo Vaughn gets our Mets baseball birthday quote of the day.

"Hitting a slam jacks everybody up. It's the biggest play in baseball."
--Mo Vaughn

Mets Birthday Quote--December 14th--Greg Goossen

Former Met Greg Goossen was born on December 14th. He played with the Mets from 1965-1968. Over his four years with the Mets, he hit .202 and had 16 rbi's in 238 at bats.

Goossen is most known for a quote that Casey Stengel said about him during his rookie year.

Stengel said of Goossen's prospects as a player, "He's 19 years old and in ten years, he's got a chance to be 29."

Happy Mets Baseball Birthday Quote to Joe Christopher

One time Met, Joe Christopher was born on December 13th, 1935. He played with the Mets from 1962-65, He had a terrific offensive year in 1964, hitting .300 and driving in 76 runs. Unfortunately, his fielding was not quite as impressive as his hitting, at least according to former teammate, Tracy Stallard.

Stallard said of Christopher, "Christopher is the only .300 hitter I have ever seen who hurts a ball club. He improved his hitting this spring. He should have worked on his fielding too."

December 12th--Mets Baseball Quote, Rube Walker

No Mets player was born today, but long time Mets pitching coach Albert Buford 'Rube' Walker passed away on this day in 1992.

Walker was a long time back-up catcher mostly for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was regarded as a top notch defensive catcher.

After his playing days, he became a pitching coach. Talk about longevity--he was the Mets pitching coach from 1968--1981. Of course that means, he was the Mets pitching coach on the Miracle 1969 team. Think of the pitchers he helped mold--Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Jerry Koosman, Tug McGraw, Jon Matlock, the list goes on and on.

For his many years as the pitching coach of the Mets, Walker is well deserving of our Mets Quote of the Day, even if it isn't a birthday quote.

"He knows how to teach and is able to communicate."
--Gil Hodges, talking about Rube Walker

December 11th Mets Birthday Quote: Jay Bell

Jay Bell was born on December 11th. 1965. Bell had a long and successful career, starting with the Indians, spending many years with the Pirates and won a World Series with the Diamondbacks. The steady shortstop ended up with a career .265 career average, a Gold Glove, A World Series victory (with the Diamondbacks) and two All-Star appearances. In 1999, he hit .289 and had 112 rbi's and 38 home runs.

He spent the last year of his career, 1999 with the Mets. Not a great year for him. He hit .181 in 116 appearances and had only three rbi's. Still, his steady influence and defensive skills helped the team.

Happy Mets Birthday Quote of the Day to Jay Bell

"I relate baseball, whether it's offensive or defensive to a waltz. It's not a rave party. It's a waltz. It's smooth, it's elegant."
--Jay Bell   www.baseballquotations.com

Trivia Question---Bell hit a home run his first at bats in the majors. Any guess what Hall of Fame pitcher he hit it off of?  The answer is Bert Blyleven

December 10th Mets Birthday Quote to Teddy Martinez

Happy December 10th birthday to utility Mets infielder, Teddy Martinez who was born in the DR on December 10th, 1947.

Martinez spent the first five years of his career with the Mets, mostly as an infielder. In his career with the Mets, he averaged a .235 batting average. After leaving the Mets, he continued to play until his retirement in 1979.

Happy 69th birthday to Teddy Martinez and congratulations on getting the Mets baseball birthday quote of the day,

"I can't play perfect every day."
--Teddy Martinez, on making five errors in five consecutive games

HAPPY METS BIRTHDAY IN QUOTES TO DEL UNSER

Del Unser was born on December 9th, 1944 As a Mets fan, I have fond memories of Del Unser. He did us Mets fans proud especially in his first of two years with the Mets.

He was acquired by the Mets after the 1974 season in a trade that sent Tug McGraw to the Phillies. He had a great year for the Mets in 1975, hitting .294 with 53 ribbies and 10 home runs. The following year he tailed off, but he still made us proud.

He had a long successful career and he played an integral role in the 1980 World Series run of the Phillies.

Congratulations to Del Unser for our Mets Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,

"It was like being the Maytag Repair Man."
--Del Unser, on being the back up first baseman to Pete Rose with the Phillies

Tim Foli Met Birthday Quote of the Day

Happy 66th Birthday to former Mets shortstop, Tim Foli. Foli had a solid career with both the Mets and several other teams notably the Pirates and the Expos. He played as a rookie with the Mets in 1970 and then after 1971 season, he was part of the three player deal to the Expos for Rusty Staub. He came back and played for the Mets in the 1978-79 season

"A guy who's so hyper, he brings his bat back to the hotel room."
--Ed Kranepool, on Tim Foli, early in his career

HAPPY METS BIRTHDAY, DON CARDWELL

Happy Birthday to one time Mets player, Don Cardwell. Cardy would have turned 81 today.

He was a clutch pitcher during the stretch drive of the Mets 1969 World Series, winning five games in a row. Though overall his record with the Mets was 20--34, he only had a 3.31 ERA.

As a great hitting pitcher and a clutch performer in 1969, the Mets baseball birthday quote of the Day goes to Don Cardwell.

"When Cardy is right, he is among the very best pitchers in the entire league."
--Goldie Holt

Happy Mets Birthday Quote of the Day--Larry Bowa

Really, the Mets quote of the day is Larry Bowa? That is a surprise. I completely forgot that the feisty Bowa was a one time Met for a very brief time at the end of his career.

He played his final fourteen games with the Mets, acquired late in the 1985 season. He had nineteen at bats and had two hits and drove in 2 rbi's.

Of course his legacy was sealed years earlier with his outstanding play with the Phillies. He was a five time all-start and two time gold glove winner. He has also been a long time manager and coach. He was the 2001 National League Manager of the Year with the Phillies.

In honor of his short stint with the Mets, he gets the Mets Birthday Quote of the Day,

"One of the best two out shortstops I've ever been around. He catches every ball when there's two outs."
--Dallas Green

December 5th Mets Birthday in Quotes to Al Moran

December 5th was the birthday of short time Met, Al Moran. Moran had 370 official at bats in 1963 and hit a solid .193. He had 22 at bats in 1964 and hit .227.

He is the recipient of today's Mets Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,

"The fellow has tremendous range, a good arm and makes all the plays."
--Solly Hemus, talking about Moran (notice he didn't say anything about his hitting)

December 4th---Happy Mets Birthday Quote to Carlos Gomez

One Time Met and almost two time Met, Carlos Gomez celebrates his birthday today, December 4th.

Gomez made his major league debut as a Met in 2007. At that point, he was the youngest player in baseball. Gomez was part of the trade that brought Johan Santana from the Twins to the Mets. Gomez has played for several teams since then and is a two time all-star.

In Mets lore, he is also known as the man in the 2015 season who was almost traded for Zach Wheeler and Wilmer Flores. All Mets fans are familiar with the reaction from Flores after he thought he was traded from the Mets.

His tears of sorrow became tears of joy after Gomez failed his physical and the Mets instead traded for Yoenis Cespedes. The rest is Mets history.

In honor of the birthday of former Met Carlos Gomez, he gets the coveted Mets birthday quote of the day:

"There wasn't anyone I played with who had more athletic ability."
--Shawn Green, on Carlos Gomez

If you like the Mets birthday quote of the day, check out the Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day at http://baseballbirthdayquote.blogspot.com/

Happy Mets Birthday in Quotes to Me

Not a lot of great Mets born on December 3rd. Some of the notables are Mets third baseman from the 1969 World Series winning team, Wayne Garrett. Darryl Hamilton had his birthday today. Current Met Matt Reynolds' birthday is today as is a player with one of the greatest names' in team history---Tobi Stoner.

Since today is my birthday, I will give it an opportunity to talk about my lifetime passion for the Mets. Growing up in Long Island, it was either the Mets for the Yankees. My father and older brother had an allegiance to the Brooklyn Dodgers so my fate was sealed at a young age.

Shea Stadium was not that far from my house so I spent many a day of my youth at the ballpark. People deride it now, but I found Shea to be beautiful but I think it reflects my love of the Mets more than the Stadium. Still got a chill every time I saw that diamond, but I get the same chill with any baseball diamond.

Best Met game I ever attended in person---that's easy. First the story. I was eleven years old and my brother went to Stony Brook. My mom and I picked him up at the train station before Game 1 of the 1969 World Series. Because my Mom loved my brother and I more than anything in the world, she decided to drive us to Shea Stadium to see if there were any tickets left for World Series games.

As luck would have it, the Series was not sold out (can you imagine that possibly happening today) and there were a few tickets left for Game 5. Well, the rest is history. My brother and I went to the game and were there to watch it all. We even joined the thousands of fans who ran on the field. I still have my ticket and grass hanging in my wall today.

Best Mets game, I ever saw, not in person, easy answer for any Mets fans who was around in 1986--Game 6.  My wife and I were newly married and she was well aware of my fanaticism. We sat there watching the game with my brother and my closest friend. There is no doubt in my mind that the collective screams of the four of us were louder in decibels than any you would see at a Guns N' Roses concert.

I voiced the same enthusiasm in the 2015 World Series. Even got my son to become a Mets fan for that run. I'm sorry, I don't buy the narrative that the Royals were the better team--we were. The whole series amounted to one player--Wade Davis. If we had him, we would have won, but they had him so they won.

So today I turn 59, I'm not a kid anymore, though I still think like one. My thoughts are already on 2017. Love hot stove league but love the magic words of spring training even more. Signing Cespedes was a great move as was signing Neal Walker. We are loaded to bear this year with that pitching staff. We also come back with a healthy Duda and hopefully a healthy Wright. Love Cabrera and Curtis and hopefully a consistent Bruce.

 I am doing what I love most about baseball and the Mets. I am always looking forward and dreaming of the day of our next World Series. Sure, I take shots at Mets karma and have dealt with Mets jokes all my life, but you know as long as they still play this magnificent game, the Mets will have a chance to win it all. Bring on 2017.

Happy Mets Birthday and Trivia Question About Jay Kleven

Only Met player born on December 2nd was catcher Jay Kleven.

Despite thousand and thousand of quotes in www.baseballquotations.com  (shameless plug), there are none about Jay Kleven.

However, there is a great trivia question about him.

Kleven played in two games in 1976 and had five total major league at bats. He had one hit in those five at bats and it was against a future Hall of Famer. Any guesses?

The answer Mets trivia buff is the one and only Bruce Sutter.

December 1st Mets Birthday Quote of the Day: George Foster

George Foster was one of the most feared hitters of the 70's. He was a vital cog in the Big Red Machine and lead the National League in Home Runs in 1977 and 1978 and was the league MVP in 1977.

I remember how excited I was when we acquired Foster---one of the most legitimate power threats in Mets history.

Foster ended up playing with the Mets from 1982--1986. Though he put together some decent years, he never had the number close to what he had with the Reds.

He still gets our Mets Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day.baseballquotations.com

"The planes at LaGuardia better not fly too low when I'm at bat."
--George Foster, after he was acquired by the Mets