The Mets just announced that John Franco has been elected to the team's Hall of Fame.
The Mets Hall of Fame now has 26 members. The previous Hall of Fame members in order of the year they were inducted are: Joan Payson (1981); Casey Stengel (1981); Gil Hodges (1982); George M. Weiss (1982); Johnny Murphy (1983); William A. Shea (1983); Ralph Kiner (1984); Bob Murphy (1984); Lindsey Nelson (1984); Bud Harrelson (1986); Rusty Staub (1986); Tom Seaver (1988); Jerry Koosman (1989); Ed Kranepool (1990); Cleon Jones (1991); Jerry Grote (1992); Tug McGraw (1993); Mookie Wilson (1996); Keith Hernandez (1997); Gary Carter (2001); Tommie Agee (2002); Frank Cashen (2010); Dwight Gooden (2010); Davey Johnson (2010) and Darryl Strawberry (2010).
So what do you think? Of these 26 names, not sure if this one fits. Yes he was a longtime presence in the bullpen and had some good years. He also almost killed a few residents of Loge13. Any other Mets you think should be on this list instead?
Mets officials say there may be "no fit" for Izzy. The team has made quite a few bullpen moves this offseason, acquiring Frank
Francisco, Jon Rauch and Ramon Ramirez to go along with Manny Acosta,
Tim Byrdak and Bobby Parnell.
Will this be enough? Probably not. But I guess the team figures they got all they could out of Izzy and his 39-year-old arm. Word was Izzy also mentored many of the young guys so perhaps there is still a chance he could come back in some coaching role if no other teams pick him up.
As part of the deal, Mr. T. is selling his
interest in the copyright to approximately 350 tunes, including "Baba O'Riley," "Pinball Wizard" and "Won't Get Fooled
Again."
Why am I telling you this? So I have an excuse to post this vintage clip from The Who's appearance at Shea Stadium. Hard to believe this gig was 30 years ago. I can remember hearing this show from my childhood bedroom in Jamaica Queens, which is about 15 miles away from Shea.
It only took three years but the Mets are already dismantling Citi Field.
With the fences coming in, chunks of the former outfield wall are going out. You can go to the Mets auction site to place your bids.
Among the highlights: the Jackie Robinson #42, bidding starts at $900. So far there are zero bids. No word on whether or not the JR tribute is being replaced. Perhaps this was a Butch Huskie tribute all along.
The only wall items getting any bidding are the post-season pennant panels (see complete list).
Still, the 1986 panels have no bids, probably because the opening price is $1,500. C'mong sports fans, get your bids in. The Wilpons gotta trial coming up and these lawyers don't come free.
I guess because they're painting the wall blue is why the numbers and pennants are leaving? Because they belong on the wall. I hope they're planning on still having the numbers and pennants next season.
It only took three years but the Mets are already dismantling Citi Field.
Franco was before my time but it sounds to me that his induction has been met with some negative reception from Mets fans. Can't be all that bad.