#87) TOM SEAVER

The New York Mets were the winners of a special draft for the services of Tom Seaver on April 3, 1966. He had originally been drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in June of 1965. Tom chose not to sign, but continue attending the University of Southern California. The Atlanta Braves signed the talented right-hander in January of 1966, but the contract was voided by the Commissioner's Office. It seems that the USC baseball team had played two exhibition games, and as such the NCAA deemed him ineligible to return to college ball. So after Seaver's father threatened a lawsuit Major League Baseball conducted a lottery of all the teams willing to match the Braves contract. The Mets won and began the greatest moment of their history.

"Tom Terrific" made his New York Mets debut on April 13, 1967 at Shea Stadium. He was the starting pitcher facing the Pittsburgh Pirates, but did not record the win in the Mets 3-2 victory. Seaver did strike out eight batters in his 5.1 innings however. It was just the beginning of a tremendous first season including 16 wins, 170 strikeouts, and a 2.76 ERA. All of which earned him the 1967 National League Rookie of the Year honors. Making him the first Mets player to win that award.

In the following nine seasons, Seaver would strikeout over 200 batters each year. Winning 20 games or more in four of those. The most special being the magical 1969 season in New York. Tom led the previously hapless Mets into the postseason with a 25-7 record and 2.21 ERA. He was given the 1969 Cy Young Award for his efforts. Once in the post-season he provided the leadership on the mound and in the clubhouse to bring the Miracle Mets a World Championship. "When I came to the Mets," Seaver said, "there was an aura of defeatism on the team; a feeling of let's get it over with. I could not accept that. Being brought up in California, I was unaware of the legend of Marvelous Marv Throneberry. That loveable loser stuff was not funny to me. I noticed that the team seemed to play better when I pitched but, dammit, that wasn't right and I said so. I probably got a few people mad, but I went around and told the guys that if they did that for me and not for somebody else it was wrong. People pay money to see professional baseball played well and they put their emotions into it, too."

His 1971 season of 20 wins, 289 strikeouts, and amazing 1.76 ERA was surprisingly not a Cy Young winner. Tom would win the award, given to the league's best pitcher, again in 1973 (when he had 18 complete games) and 1975. Seaver was selected to six Major League All-Star teams and pitched in a second World Series for the Mets in 1973.

On June 15, 1977, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Doug Flynn, Pat Zachry, Steve Henderson and Dan Norman in the darkest moment of Mets history. The Reds would return him to New York in a trade on December 16, 1982, but the next season was his final one in a Mets uniform.

Seaver was elected to the Mets Hall of Fame in 1988, and enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. Becoming the first player to enter as a New York Met.

When asked in 2008 about his memories of Shea Stadium, Seaver said, "There are too many for us to count. I had 10-plus spectacular years there that were filled with joy and then a sorrow at the end when ownership and I had some contract issues."

"Number one is the 1969 World Championship. The highlight of any young player's career is winning the Championship. Just like you saw the Phillies running on the field, celebrating, I experienced that. For the first time it is disbelief. That's the thing that happens. It's the same thing that happens as going in the Hall of Fame. But I don't miss the stadium at all. The stadium was not a wonderful piece of architecture. People ask me about that, They thought I was rather coldhearted about that. I said no, the memories are on the field. The people you played with etc. were really the memories, and the fans so appreciative of what you did for a living."

The man who became known as "The Franchise" was given the distinction of throwing the final pitch in the history of Shea Stadium on September 28, 2008. Tom threw it to Mike Piazza during the "Shea Goodbye" ceremony that day.

His latest endeavor has become the introduction of his own wine label, GTS. The former pitcher has created his own vineyard in the Napa Valley city of Calistoga, California. "I'm like a rookie in the clubhouse," said Tom. "You gotta earn your stripes."

Tom Seaver signed his card in the set from my good friend, Jessie at the "Teammates in the Kitchen" event at Citi Field on September 22, 2010.

#288) BRUCE BOCHY

Bruce Bochy was traded to the New York Mets from the Houston Astros in exchange for Stan Hough and Randy Rogers on February 11, 1981. Bochy was assigned to Triple-A Tidewater to begin the season but made his Mets debut on August 21, 1982. He was the starting catcher in New York's 6-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Fulton County Stadium. When promoted he had brought more than his glove with him from the minor leagues. "Whenever I got traded or played winter ball, the first priority was always to pack up my helmets," remembered Bochy. "And before I arrived, I'd usually have to paint them." The player nicknamed "Buckethead" wears a 8-3/4 hat size. Too large for standard clubhouses. Throughout his 14 years of organized ball he wore the same batting and catching helmets. "I had to," Bruce said. "None of the teams I played for carried my size." Both helmets had been specially made in 1975, his first year in Single-A ball with the Covington Astros. "I added a coat of orange before the '79 season with Houston, and a coat of red before the next winter ball season, then two more coats—orange and red—in '80, and a coat of blue when I went to the Mets organization in '81."

Bruce played in 17 games for New York to close the 1982 season. In his 49 at-bats he hit two homeruns and a .306 batting average. Surprisingly he was released by the Mets on October 3, 1982.

Bochy has become a well-respected major-league manager following his playing career. First with the San Diego Padres in 1995—where he won National League Manager of the Year honors in 1996. Then leading the San Francisco Giants organization since 2007. Bringing them a World Series Championship in 2010.

I created Bruce Bochy's card in the set from an autographed index card I purchased from Jack Smalling in January 2009. Jack's website is www.baseballaddresses.com.

#212) LENNY RANDLE

Lenny Randle was traded from the Texas Rangers to the New York Mets in exchange for Rick Auerbach on April 26, 1977. He came to the club under a dark cloud of uncertainty. Prior to a spring training game the usually mild-mannered Randle had punched his Texas manager, Frank Lucchesi breaking his cheekbone. Lenny was given a 30-day suspension during which he was shipped to New York.

The switch-hitter was anxious to put the incident behind him and continued to stay in shape while finishing his suspension. Randle made his Mets debut as a defensive replacement on April 30, 1997. The next day he got his first start for the team and responded with three hits, one a triple. Lenny drove in a run in the ninth inning and stole home to cap an 8-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. "I think they like my bat, my glove, my legs and the fact that I get my uniform dirty," said Randle. "I'd be perfect for a Tide commercial."

It was Lenny who was at the plate for the Mets when the lights went out at Shea Stadium during the famous New York City Blackout on July 13th.

The versatile infielder/outfielder went on to be the Mets most valuable player for the 1977 season. He set a club record with 33 stolen bases, and led the club with a .304 batting average. Randle bonded with the Mets fans and could be seen talking to them at Shea Stadium even during the game. He also valued his opportunity to have Willie Mays as a coach. "What I experienced in my friendship with Willie did form my serious attitude about life beyond the Big Leagues," Lenny recalled in his book "Compton to Beyond the Big Leagues."

Randle took the dismissal of Willie Mays at the close of the season quite hard. "Willie's treatment soured me toward the organization and I was interested in playing for the San Francisco Giants the following year," said Lenny. "My dissatisfaction with the Met organization was shared by most of the players and I referred to the front office as the "Plantation". Everyone was on sale on the New York docks, especially those so bold as to ask for a raise."

His play reflected the change in Randle's attitude. The 1978 season saw all his offensive numbers fall while his batting average dipped to a lowly .233. The Mets chose to release Lenny on March 29, 1979.

Following his time in the major-leagues, Randle played baseball professionally in Italy. Becoming the first American former major-leaguer to do so. Today he operates the Pro Baseball Academy in California. Providing quality instruction to young players, and organizing sport tours.

I created Lenny Randle's card in the set from an autographed index card (that he signed in pencil) which was given to me by my good friend, Jessie on October 16, 2010.

#644) BRADY CLARK

Brady Clark first joined the New York Mets when he was traded along with Pedro Feliciano, Raul Gonzalez, and Elvin Andujar from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Shawn Estes on August 15, 2002. After being initially assigned to Triple-A Norfolk, he made his Mets' debut on September 11, 2002. Brady came on as a pinch-runner for Jason Phillips during the 8-5 loss to the Braves in Atlanta. He would not make his Shea Stadium debut until September 21st.

Clark played in a total of 10 games to close the season. Serving as a reserve in most of those he would only get 12 at-bats, but his five hits came to a .417 batting average. Brady ended his first tour with New York when he was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers (who would make him their centerfielder) on January 21, 2003.

The now 34 year-old veteran was offered a minor-league contract by the Mets and invited to major-league spring training camp in 2008. Clark was used to the adversity, "my whole career's been about proving myself. It fuels the fire and it's always an accomplishment when you prove the naysayers wrong." Moises Alou's hernia surgery created a need for an outfielder on the opening day roster. Brady had earned that spot with a good spring. So for the first month of the season Clark was used as the Mets' right-handed pinch-hitter, and reserve corner outfielder. He appeared in seven games with eight at-bats and a .250 batting average.

Brian Schneider, the Mets catcher, developed a severe infection in his left thumb. A puzzling injury that forced the team to debate placing Schneider on the disabled list. To clear roster space for a replacement catcher the Mets designated Clark for assignment on April 24th. Brady considered retirement, but elected to accept the assignment to Triple-A New Orleans. After playing just six games for the Zephyrs he suffered a deep right knee bruise that forced him to the disabled list. Clark underwent season-ending microfracture surgery on May 16th, and was granted free agency on September 29th.

I created Brady Clark's card in the set from an autographed index card given to me by my good friend, Jessie on October 16, 2010.

#606) DONNE WALL

Donne Wall joined the New York Mets when he was traded from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Bubba Trammell on December 11, 2000. The right-handed reliever suffered shoulder problems that previous season, but had posted a 2.92 ERA since 1998 for the Padres.

Wall made his Mets' debut in the seventh inning of the game in Atlanta on April 4, 2001. Donne was given the loss after surrendering the game-winning run in a Braves 3-2 victory. His unexplainable struggles continued until it was revealed that Donne was not fully recovered from off-season shoulder surgery. "It just seems like I am taking baby steps," Wall said. "I don't know what to expect each day."

Mets pitching coach, Charlie Hough explained, "We're trying to find a routine for him to recondition his arm without killing him for today's game, and that's a tough program." Hough continued, "He's coming off surgery, and he has lost his feel—not just strength, but the feel. When a guy has surgery, it takes a year, year and a half. That's what we're looking at."

The team placed Wall on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder on May 28th. He returned on July 4th, but never was able to show the consistency of his past performance. Donne finished the year with an 0-4 record, and 4.85 ERA in 32 games. The Mets declined his option and Wall became a free agent on October 15, 2001.

I created Donne Wall's card in the set from an autographed index card given to me by my good friend, Jessie on October 16, 2010.

#270) DAVE ROBERTS

Dave Roberts signed as a free agent with the New York Mets on January 5, 1981. It was the eighth team for the veteran left-hander who was quoted, "The way I look at it, either I'm a bum or everybody wants me."

Roberts was a member of the 1979 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, but not as successful in New York. He made his first appearance for the Mets on April 18, 1981. Coming on in relief and finishing the seventh inning of the 5-3 loss to the Montreal Expos at Shea Stadium. Dave made a total of seven appearances, four as a starter, to gather his 15 and 1/3 innings with New York. Roberts was released by the Mets on May 27th with an 0-3 record and 9.39 ERA. The San Francisco Giants signed him to a free agent contract on June 15th, but he would not make their major-league roster.

Dave passed away in his Short Gap, West Virginia home on January 9, 2009. The 64-year old was the victim of lung cancer he developed from asbestos exposure as a young man. During offseasons, he worked as a boilermaker and was regularly exposed to the cancer-causing material. "Dave was the consummate pro," said Tal Smith, Astros president of baseball operations. "He averaged 35 starts and 12 wins a year the club during his four years as an Astro, but he'll really be remembered and missed for the leadership he provided and for being such a good guy."

I created the card for Dave Roberts from an autographed index card given to me by my good friend, Jessie on October 16, 2010.

#254) JERRY MORALES

Jerry Morales was originally signed by the New York Mets on June 23, 1966 as an international free agent at the age of 17. The young man from Puerto Rico was selected from the Mets by the San Diego Padres during their inaugural draft on October 14, 1968. He would make his major-league debut with the Padres during their first season.

Jerry returned to the Mets on October 31, 1979. The Detroit Tigers traded Morales along with Phil Mankowski in exchange for Richie Hebner on Halloween day. He brought his signature basket catch to Shea Stadium for his Mets debut on April 10, 1980. Jerry started in centerfield and collected two RBI during a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Morales appeared in 94 games for New York that season. Pinch-hitting in 39 of those and finishing the year with a collective .254 batting average. He was granted free agency on October 31, 1980. Exactly one year from when he joined the team.

After retiring from playing in 1983, he became a roving minor-league hitting and outfield instructor for the Chicago Cubs. Morales followed that with jobs as a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as major-league coaching positions with the Montreal Expos, and Washington Nationals.

I created the set card for Jerry Morales from an autographed index card given to me by my good friend, Jessie on October 16, 2010.