No one seems to want to talk baseball this week. It's as if everyone is distracted by some other upcoming game. How Sunday's contest could be more interesting than the state of Daniel Murphy's knees or John Franco's induction into the Mets Hall of Fame is beyond me.
Loge13 makes only one football prediction this week: if you watch the HBO documentary on Joe Namath, you will be happy. Great overview of Broadway Joe's life and fantastic footage of Shea Stadium in its football playing days. Here's a little Joe Jingle to get you excited:
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?
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.
According to published reports tonight, Jose Reyes has signed with the Marlins for 6 years and $111 million.Sandy Alderson has said as much in a press conference as well.
Very mixed emotions about this. I didn't think Jose would remain but I hoped he would. I didn't want the Mets to overpay and sign a six or seven year deal, but I hoped they would. Bottom line: the Mets were simply more exciting, more distinctive with Jose around.
But yes, he was a fragile superstar. Even with young hamstrings, the guy still spent alot of time on the DL. The Marlins may be paying a ton of money for a guy who only plays about three of the six years on his contract. Only time will tell. Tonight I'm just sad.
And when you step back and think about it: is $111 million that much money for a New York-based team to pay for its marquee player? So what if they got into a bidding war? Would $130 million have been too much? We're still paying for Bobby freakin' Bonilla. The Mets didn't even get in the game. As a result, plenty of Met fans won't be getting to the game next year. Citi Field will be a lonely place.
And so, here's one final look at Jose's last moments as a Met:
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.