#150) DON ROSE

Don Rose was drafted by the New York Mets in the 11th round of the 1968 Amateur Draft. His lone game for the Mets was at Shea Stadium on September 15, 1971. Don was traded by the Mets with Francisco Estrada, Leroy Stanton, and Nolan Ryan to the California Angels for Jim Fregosi on December 10, 1971.

Don Rose signed his card in the set on October 10, 2009 from an autograph request sent to his home.

#585) JON NUNNALLY

Jon Nunnally was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Mets for Jermaine Allensworth on November 12, 1999. He appeared in 48 games for New York before the Orix BlueWave (Japanese Pacific League) purchased his contract from the Mets on June 8, 2000. Jon had not wanted to return to the minors so New York allowed him to negotiate a contract with Orix. "I'm used to playing everyday," Nunnally explained, "I was hoping to play a little more. I wasn't doing the job playing once a week."

Jon Nunnally signed his card in the set for me when the Columbus Clippers faced the Indianapolis Indians on April 13, 2009. Jon is the batting coach for the Clippers.

#20) BILL WAKEFIELD

Bill Wakefield joined the New York Mets when he was traded with George Altman from the St. Louis Cardinals for Roger Craig on November 4, 1963. Bill set a then team record for game appearances by a pitcher in 1964 with 62. He was also the starting pitcher facing the Cincinnati Reds in the first ever night game played at Shea Stadium on May 6, 1964.

Wakefield was honored by the Mets in 2009. He was asked to join Steve Dillon (who pitched the final two innings in 1964) to throw out simultaneous ceremonial first pitches at new Citi Field to commemorate the historical Shea Stadium game. Wise Snacks sponsored the event on July 10, 2009 during the first appearance of the Cincinnati Reds to the new park.

He became a sporting goods distributor after retiring from baseball in 1964.

Bill Wakefield signed his card in the set from an autograph request mailed to his home on November 8, 2008.

#26) STEVE DILLON

Steve Dillon was selected from the New York Yankees by the New York Mets during the first year player draft on November 26, 1962. The rules then stated that any drafted player must remain on the new team's roster or be returned. So Steve was with the Mets for two seasons, but only appeared in three games during that time. His second year was 1964 the opening year of Shea Stadium. Dillon would only throw one of his career games at the ball park. Just one, but a very distinctive one. Steve threw the final two innings of the first night game ever played at Shea Stadium on May 6, 1964. The Mets fell to the Cincinnati Reds by a score of 12-4 that evening.

Dillon was honored by the Mets in 2009. He was asked to join Bill Wakefield (Mets starting pitcher in 1964) to throw out simultaneous ceremonial first pitches at new Citi Field to commemorate the historical Shea Stadium game. Wise Snacks sponsored the event on July 10, 2009 during the first appearance of the Cincinnati Reds to the new park.

He enjoyed a career as a New York City police officer after retiring from professional baseball in 1964.

Steve Dillon signed his card from the set on October 28, 2008 from a mailed request to his home address.

#252) JOSE CARDENAL

Jose Cardenal became a New York Met when his contract was purchased from the Philadelphia Phillies on August 2, 1979. He appeared in 37 games for the Mets before he was released on August 13, 1980.

One of my favorite things about this set was the fun of finding and selecting the photographs to be used. This is one of my favorites. Jose has the same size hair as I did in 1979. I also had one of those immensely cool satin look Mets jackets that he is wearing. Ok, this does date us both I guess.

Jose Cardenal signed this card for me from an autograph request mailed to his home on January 24, 2009.

#295) MIKE TORREZ

Mike Torrez was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Mets for Mike Davis on January 13, 1983. The veteran said in a later interview, "I had liked New York (with the Yankees) so I didn't mind coming back." It was a young team and not nearly as successful as the clubs he had recently pitched for. So it is impressive that the 39 year old starter could register 10 wins in 1983. The next season Torrez would only appear in nine games. Mets manager, Davey Johnson had approached Mike about a move out of the starting rotation to clear a spot for Tim Leary. He explained, "Davey, I am not going to the bullpen." The Mets released Torrez on June 22, 1984.

After retirement from his active baseball career Mike has successfully formed his own company, MAT Premiums International. It specializes in promotional items that feature company logos.

Mike Torrez signed his card in the set for my friend Stan when the Newark Bears played the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on May 9, 2009. Mike was the pitching coach for the Bears this season.

#716) SHINGO TAKATSU

Shingo Takatsu joined the New York Mets when he was signed as a free agent on August 12, 2005. He had been released by the Chicago White Sox who were the first major league team for which he appeared. Shingo did not finish the season with the 2005 White Sox team that won a World Championship, but was awarded a World Series ring by the club for his early season contributions. So he was the only "Mets" player to get one that year.

The submariner had previously played in the Japanese Professional Baseball league and had great success. Earning him the nickname, "Mr. Zero" because he has not given up a single run in his 11 Japan Series championship games.

Shingo appeared in nine games for the New York Mets registering a very respectable 2.35 ERA. Unfortunately he also allowed two home runs in only 7.2 innings of work. Those were actually the only two runs registered against him during his tenure as a Met. He was granted free agency on November 10, 2005.

I traded for the Shingo Takatsu signed index card used to make this card. It came from my friend, Dan (of DN Autographs.com) who had gotten it from Takatsu on September 9, 2004.