DAVID CONE: METS BASEBALL BIRTHDAY QUOTE OF THE DAY FOR JANUARY 2ND

Happy Mets Birthday to David Cone, who was born on January 2nd, 1963.

Conie was a terrific pitcher who was in the majors from 1986--2003. Among his many achievements include a Perfect Game, A Cy Young Award, five all-star appearances, five world series championships and two time major league strike out leader. Very impressive, also impressive is his 8-3 post season record.

Specifically with the Mets, he was 81-51 with a 3.13 ERA. His most magical year with the Mets was 1988 where he was an incredible 20--3. One of the most famous stories in Mets lore was that we came into the 1988 post season as huge favorites against the Dodgers who we (like I was on the team) did not lose to all year. We win Game 1 and then Cone who was writing a guest column for the Daily News decides to criticize Dodger pitchers Orel Hersheiser and Jay Howell.

Now if you have ever heard Conie speak, you know he is one of the smartest people you will ever meet, but that was not a smart move. Dodgers beat him up in Game 2 as he gave up five runs in two innings and though he pitched magnificently in Game 6, we still ended up losing the series. Not one our best moments.

On the bright side, the acquisition of Cone was one of the best trades in Mets history. The Mets acquired him in a trade with the Royals in exchange for Ed Hearns and  Rick Anderson.

It was one of those rare times when  you know a trade was a steal right when it happens. That statement was affirmed by Wally Backman in today's Mets Quote of the Day featuring David Cone.

"He's a stopper. I can't figure Kansas City's thinking. We got a stopper."
Wally Backman, after the Mets traded for David Cone

thousands of quotes at www.baseballquotations.com

1986 World Series Game 6 New York Met Trivia

Game Six of the 1986 World Series between the Mets and The Red Sox was the greatest game in baseball history. I don't think it will ever be matched.  Of course, all of us Met fans know the key to victory was the women in the second row behind home plate who kept moving her arms in a circular motion during every pitch (the greatest fan of all-time).

The only piece I felt bad about was making Bill Buckner into a goat. Sure, he made a bad play but the Mets had already tied the game. To me, it would have been much worse if he had let in the tying run. Also, it  overshadowed what was a great career as a hitter. I hope the same does not become true for Wes Welker.

Anyway for all of us Met lovers out there, here are some trivia questions from Game 6 of the 1986 World Series (no cheating)

1) Who said after David Henderson hit the go ahead Home Run for the Red Sox in the Top of the tenth, "It was so quiet in New York, you can almost hear Boston?"

2) Who was the only Met player with  multiple hits in the game?

3) Three Red Sox players had three hits in Game 6. Can you name any of them?

4) Many of us remember Keith Hernandez making the second out of the bottom of the tenth for the Mets. Do you remember who made the first out that inning for the Mets?

5) Who was the normal defensive replacement for Bill Buckner at first base in late innings of games?

6) Who was scheduled to be World Series MVP if the Red Sox had won in six games?

7) Who won the game for the Mets despite giving up two runs in the top of the 10th?

8) Who sang the National Anthem before Game 6?

If you love trivia then check out trivia man at http://triviaman.blogspot.com/