Happy Birthday to one time Mets phenom Ike Davis, born on March 22nd.
Davis became an immediate impact player with the Mets when he came up in April of 2010. Davis, the son of former Major League pitcher, Ron Davis took New York by storm. In his rookie year, he hit 19 home runs and drove in 71 runs. His home run total was tied for the second highest by a rookie in Mets history.
In his injury shortened 2011 season, he still hit .302 in 36 games. In the 2012 season, even though he only hit .227, he did hit 32 home runs. Due to his injuries and inconsistencies, the Mets traded him to the Pirates in the 2014 season.
Mets fans remember Davis admirably for the positive buzz he created for the Mets when they really needed a star.
In his honor, we present the Mets Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day to Ike Davis.
"I think he's going to be one of the premier first basemen in baseball."
--Terry Collins, sizing up Davis early in his career
Happy birthday to Mets outfielder, Michael Conforto. Conforto was the Mets first round pick in the 2014 MLB draft.
When the Mets put him in the lineup in late July of 2015, he had an immediate positive impact. He ended up hitting .270 for the year with 26 ribbies and 9 home runs in only 179 at bats. He had a great World Series, hitting .333 with two home runs. He also became only the third player in baseball history to play in the Little League World Series, College World Series and Major League Baseball World Series.
Unfortunately, as all Mets fans know, he had a disappointing 2016 season after a hot start. He ended up hitting .226 with 42 ribbies and 12 home runs.
Here's great hope for a terrific 2017 season.
"He goes up every time and every time he gets in the batters' box, you'd think he was going to hit one in the seats."
--Terry Collins
Kelly Johnson was born on this day in 1982. Can I just say, over the last two years, Kelly Johnson has been my favorite Met.
I love everything about him--the way he plays, his demeanor on the field and mostly what a clutch ballplayer he is. I am not happy that the Mets do not appear to be signing him for the 2017 season---big mistake. I know the running gag is that we will trade for him in July or August but there is no guarantee of that.
Johnson's MLB career started in 2005. He has played for eleven teams over his long career. Of course as Mets fans, we are most interested in the 2015 and 2016 seasons. In 2015, he hit .250 with 13 ribbies and 5 home runs in 128 at bats. I bet all five were clutch home runs. He did even better last year when he had 183 at bats with a .268 average and 24 ribbies and 9 home runs. Plus, wherever the Mets put him, he fielded the position with expertise.
In honor of my favorite Met of the last few years, Kelly Johnson is the recipient of the Mets Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day,
"He's been huge...He's a guy who can come off the bench and put him in the field or at the plate and he can get the job done."
--Terry Collins, on Kelly Johnson
