Former Met Mike Cameron was born on this day in 1973. The Mets were not Cameron's only team--he played also for the White Sox, Reds, Mariners, Padres, Brewers, Red Sox and Marlins.
He is known for several reasons including being the key player the Reds traded to the Mariners for Ken Griffey Junior and for hitting four home runs in a game.
He was a terrific fielder, winning three Gold Gloves as well as a strong power hitter with 278 career home runs. He was also recognized around baseball as a really good guy who was always very friendly with fans.
He played 2004 and 2005 with the Mets. In 2004, he only hit .231 but had thirty home runs. In 2005, he hit .273 but his season was cut short when he and Carlos Beltran crashed into each other in the outfield.
"He goes gets the ball. he plays hard. He plays to win. he's got a wonderful attitude."
--Lou Piniella, singing the praises of Cameron
Today is the birthday of former Met closer Francisco Rodriguez. KRod was with the Mets from the 2009 through a good part of the 2011 season.
Rodriguez came on the scene like few pitchers ever have. Coming out of nowhere, he helped lead the Angels to their one and only World Series in 2002. He won five post season games that year. In the World Series against the Giants, he became the youngest player in baseball history to ever win a World Series game at age 20. In the World Series, he had 13K's in 8 and a third innings.
He has had a lot of accomplishments in his career including the record for saves in one season with 62 in 2008, 6 time All-Star and one of only 6 major league pitchers with over 400 saves.
He is still pitching effectively today.
The Quote of the Day comes from www.baseballquotations.com and features a quote related to his 2002 World Series.
"We were in good shape and then they brought in Super Man."
--Shawon Dunston, after the Giants had a commanding lead in the 2002 World Series until KRod helped lead the Angels to a World Series victory
Not a lot of great Mets players birthday's today so I thought we'd give the Mets Baseball Quote of the Day to one of the real characters in Mets history--Tug McGraw.
Tug McGraw was one of the all-time great Mets relief pitchers who coined the phrase, 'Ya Gotta Beleive' for their amazing World Series run in 1973. He played for the Mets from 1965--1974 then spent 75--84 with the Phillies.
He had 180 saves and was a two time world champion and two time all-star. Mostly though he will be known for his friendly, easy going demeanor and great sense of humor. Of course, he will also be remembered for being the father of country music legend, Tim McGraw.
Speaking of great sense of humor, McGraw was once asked if he favored grass over astro turf, his now classic reply;
"I don't know. I never smoked Astro Turf."
No Mets players born today so I am making a stretch to the Milwaukee Brewer's Jim Gantner. The great Mets announcer Ralph Kiner was not the only one who could turn a phrase. Jim Gantner was a protege of Kiner in his ability to say funny quotes by mixing up words.
Gantner turned 63 today. He played his entire career with the Brewers from 1976--1992 and had a solid lifetime batting average of .274. He was also a terrific second baseman and is 44th all-time in assists from a second baseman and 27th all-time in double played turned by a second baseman.
Both as a player and a broadcaster, he had a reputations for changing around phrases and that's why he gets our Ralph Kiner Mets Baseball Quote of the Day
"I must have had ambrosia."
Jim Gantner, on being late for a radio appearance
Happy 53rd birthday to former Met Daryl Boston. Boston played his first five plus seasons with the White Sox before the Mets picked him up early in the 1990 season.
Boston played for the Mets for three years and had some decent numbers. In 1990--1992, Boston's combined batting average was .266. In 1990, he had 12 home runs and 18 stolen bases. He had double digits in steals all three years with the Mets and he had a strong arm from leftfield.
In honor of his birthday, Daryl Boston provides us with the New York Mets Baseball Birthday Quote of the Day and a funny one at that.
"It's a good thing it was seat cushion night."
--Daryl Boston, on going into the stands to catch a foul ball
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
Surprisingly, www.baseballquotations.com does not have any quotes dedicated to Fernando Tatis whose birthday is today. I will have to work on that.
So as a substitute, we will provide you all with a New Year's Day treat of a Mets quote featuring the Old Professor, Casey Stengel
"It was a team effort."
--Casey Stengel, on '62 Mets losing 120 games
