New York Mets

The 1969 Miracle Mets: The Improbable Story of the World's Greatest Underdog Team

by: Steven Travers

Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 06/03/2012)

The New York Mets started as an expansion franchise in 1960. A year later, the new franchise club drafted 22 players, including many older former Dodgers and Giants players. Casey Stengel was then hired to manage the new team.

The Mets first game was on April 11, 1962 in the old Polo Grounds, where the team played until Shea Stadium was completed in 1964. The team got off to a poor start and lost their first nine games. That first season continued to go badly and the New York Mets ended the 1962 season with a 40-12 win-loss record.

The Mets had a long stretch of losing until they drafted Tom Seaver in 1966. The next year, the Mets still ended up in last place, but Seaver was named Rookie of the Year and it looked like the Mets finally had a winner on their team. The 1968 Mets struggled, but they acquired several promising players, including Bud Harrelson, Jerry Koosman and Tommie Agee. [read more...]

Carlos Beltran New York Mets Name and Number T-Shirt (Large)

Amazon Price: $18.62 (as of 06/03/2012)

Carlos Beltran, outfielder for the Mets, began his professional baseball career in 1995 when the Kansas City Royals drafted him. He played in the minor leagues until September, 1998 when he was called up to the majors.

Beltran started the 1999 season in the choice leadoff batter position and playing center field. He played so well in his first year in the majors that he was named the American League Rookie of the Year. Beltran ended the 1999 season with a .293 batting average with 22 home runs, 108 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. [read more...]

David Wright New York Mets McFarlane MLB Series 18 Action Figure

Amazon Price: $27.99 (as of 06/03/2012)

David Wright, at the age of only 26, has accumulated impressive statistics and awards in his five years in the major leagues. He has an overall batting average of .309 with 130 home runs and 489 RBIs. Wright has already won two Silver Slugger awards (2007, 2008) and two Gold Glove awards (2007, 2008). He is also very popular with the fans and has been an All-star three times in the last three years.

Wright was drafted by the Mets in 2001 and he played well in their minor leagues for three seasons before being called up to the majors in 2004. His first season as the Mets starting third baseman was strong, with a .293 batting average and 14 home runs in 263 at bats. Wright came back in 2005 with an even better year, batting .306 with 27 home runs and 102 RBIs. Wright was well on his way to baseball stardom. [read more...]

Art of Pitching

by: Tom Seaver

Amazon Price: $149.95 (as of 06/03/2012)

Tom Seaver, three-time Cy Young award winner, was the best pitcher the Mets ever had. He helped lead the Miracle Mets to a World Series win in 1973. In honor of his contributions, the Mets retired his number 41.

Seaver played only one season in the minor leagues before being called up to the Mets in 1967. That season Seaver pitched 18 complete games with 170 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.76. In that first year, his pitching record was so strong that he won the National League Rookie of the Year award. Seaver followed his first year with nine consecutive seasons of over 200 strikeouts. [read more...]