#504) CARLOS BAERGA

Carlos Baerga was traded with Alvaro Espinosa and a $100,000 payment by the Cleveland Indians to the New York Mets in exchange for Jeff Kent and Jose Vizcaino on July 29, 1996. A trading deadline deal that allowed the Mets to address one of their concerns. General Manager, Joe McIlvaine at that time called it, "more pop in the middle of our lineup." The move also allowed up and coming star, Edgardo Alfonzo a permanent position in the infield. He had been playing behind Jeff Kent to that point.

Baerga found himself battling injuries for the first two seasons in New York. In 1998 that changed. "...Now I am hitting with power and driving the ball from the right side. I feel good." Carlos reported on May 29th. Trade rumors started, but his importance as a clubhouse leader to the Hispanic players on the team made up for the .266 batting average that final year in New York. Carlos was granted free agency on October 26, 1998, and later signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.

After his playing career Baerga joined the staff of ESPN Desportes as an announcer. He became the analyst for the show, "Béisbol Esta Noche".

I created Carlos Baerga's card in the set from an autographed index card I received in a trade from my friend, Dan (of DN Autographs.com) in January of 2009.

#582) TODD ZEILE

Todd Zeile became a member of the New York Mets when he signed as a free agent on December 17, 1999. He was signed to a three year contract which brought him in to play first base and fill the void left by John Olerud's departure to Seattle. Todd had been primarily a third baseman the season before with limited time at first base. "This time it is a matter of choice," Zeile was quoted. "I can play third base in a number of cities, or I could weigh the chance to play in New York with a chance to win and voluntarily make the choice." It was a good decision as the Mets would become the National League Champions in 2000 with Todd batting .302 during the postseason.

Zeile was traded to the Colorado Rockies with Benny Agbayani in exchange for Alex Ochoa, Craig House, and Russ Gload on January 21, 2002. Actually a three team deal that also brought Jeromy Burnitz back to New York. Todd himself returned to the Mets on January 28, 2004. He signed once again as a free agent in what was his last season in the major leagues.

In his final game Zeile was inserted as the starting catcher. He had began his career at the position and had not caught in the major leagues for 14 years prior to the appearance on October 3, 2004. It was the second-longest span between appearances behind the plate to Gabby Street. Gabby had been 19 years removed when he caught a final game while managing the St. Louis Cardinals in 1931. Todd homered in his final at-bat and helped Tom Glavine to the victory that day at Shea Stadium.

After baseball Todd has become a motion picture producer forming his company, Green Diamond Entertainment. Their first feature, "Dirty Deeds" received additional financing from Mike Piazza, Al Leiter, Tom Glavine, Cliff Floyd, with Jeremy and Jason Giambi. Zeile has also made several acting appearances in both film and television.

Todd Zeile signed his card in the set for me from an autograph request sent to his home address on December 5, 2009.

#722) JULIO FRANCO

Julio Franco joined the New York Mets when he signed as a free agent on December 12, 2005. The veteran was brought in to serve as the primary right-handed pinch-hitter, but did receive several starts at first base during his one and a half seasons in New York. Julio established the mark of being the oldest player to hit a home run in the major leagues on May 4, 2007. His blast came off the Diamondbacks' starter, Randy Johnson in Arizona. Franco was 48 years, eight months, and 12 days old at the time. Julio had the desire to play at the age of 50, but the Mets did not agree and granted him his release on July 12, 2007.

Franco believes that his longevity and superb physical condition are a result of three rules. "Eat well, work hard, and get proper rest." Julio said, "There are no magic pills." Franco got his first experience coaching when he served as the manager of the Gulf Coast League Mets in 2009.

Julio Franco signed his card at a Gulf Coast League game in Florida for my friend Tom during the 2009 season.

#375) JOHN FRANCO

John Franco became a New York Met when he was traded with Don Brown from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Randy Myers and Kip Gross on December 6, 1989. That began a rich career in New York that featured being named the Rolaids Relief Man in 1990. John is a native of Brooklyn. His father, Jim Franco was a New York City Department of Sanitation worker who encouraged his son's baseball aspirations. John honored his dad by wearing an orange Sanitation Department work-shirt under his jersey. He served as the team's closer through the 1999 season and was a big part of the 2000 National League Championship club. Franco became the third ever Met's captain on May 4, 2001 following a unanimous team vote.

New York Mayor, Rudolph Giuliani in celebration of Franco's 400th career save presented the left-handed reliever the "Key to the City", and declared April 27, 1999 as "John Franco Day". Mayor Giuliani said, "John is a hometown hero and proof that there are plenty of people in professional sports worthy of our admiration and respect."

He was invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the St. John's vs. Georgetown Big East college baseball game at the new Citi Field on March 29, 2009.


Franco was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 2012.

John Franco signed his card in the set for my friend Sam during the B.A.T Fundraising Dinner on January 27, 2009.

#132) JESSE HUDSON

Jesse Hudson was selected by the New York Mets in the 11th round of the amateur draft on June 6, 1967. The young pitcher appeared in only one game during his major league career. That came at Shea Stadium pitching for the Mets against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 19, 1969. Jesse returned to the minor leagues in 1970 never to return to New York again.

His story as a "Moonlight Graham Met" is told here.

Jesse Hudson signed his card in the set from an autograph request sent to his home on September 3, 2009.

#564) ALLEN WATSON

Allen Watson joined the New York Mets when he signed as a free agent on January 19, 1999. He was brought on to bolster the starting pitching staff for the 1999 season. The left-hander from Queens, New York was also being pursued by the Cleveland Indians, but opted to pitch at home. Allen made 14 appearances for the Mets, but only four were as a starter. Without a definite role established he was deemed expendable. Watson was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Mac Suzuki, and minor leaguer, Justin Dunning on June 18, 1999. "I do not know why they went after me in the winter," Allen said, "when they didn't want me to start."

Ironically Watson grew up a Yankees fan and ended up in the Bronx after being released by Seattle. "Everywhere you go, there's a Mets and Yankees fan arguing who's better, it seems." Watson was quoted, "We had fist fights over it when I was a kid. I hated the Mets." When he pitched the ninth inning for the Yankees on June 9, 2000, (after having thrown for the Mets on June 5, 1999) Allen became the first man to pitch for each New York team during the Subway Series. He suffered a year ending injury during the 2000 season and was unable to contribute to the World Series victory that year. However Watson had been a part of the 1999 World Championship team the previous season.

Allen Watson added a beautiful signature to his card in the set for my good friend, Jessie in New York City on November 25, 2009.

#742) GUILLERMO MOTA

Guillermo Mota was originally signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 1990. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos from the Mets in the 1996 minor league draft. It would be several years before the peculiar reliever would return to the Mets when he was sent to New York by the Cleveland Indians as part of a conditional deal on August 20, 2006. Guillermo was traded by the Mets to the Milwaukee Brewers for Johnny Estrada on November 20, 2007 in a salary reduction move.

I made Guillermo Mota's card in the set from the signed label off a certified autograph card issue on November 30, 2009.