#279) MIKE HOWARD

Mike Howard was selected from the Los Angeles Dodgers by the New York Mets in the minor league portion of the 1978 Rule V Draft. The switch-hitting outfielder would spend the first years with the organization playing for the Jackson (AA) and Tidewater (AAA) clubs. He made his major league debut as a Met on September 12, 1981. Mike delivered a double to left field, in his first big league at-bat, during the 4-2 loss to the Cardinals in St. Louis that day.

Howard would bounce back and forth between New York and the Tidewater Tides during the two seasons to follow. Collecting a total of 48 games in the major leagues. The last of which was Opening Day of the 1983 season. The contest marked the return of Tom Seaver to New York, and Mike was the starting right fielder. He drove in the first run off of Steve Carlton in a 2-0 win against the Philadelphia Phillies. It was Howard's last game in the major leagues.

The Mets returned him to Tidewater for a time. Then the decision was made to convert Mike into a catcher. To learn the new position he was sent all the way back to the Mets' Gulf Coast League team in the Rookie League. Howard hit for a .316 batting average, but the 26 year-old was in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization the following season.

Mike Howard signed his card in the set for my friend Nick, of the Mets Underground on May 5, 2010.

#778) CHRIS AGUILA

Chris Aguila signed with the New York Mets as a free agent on February 12, 2008. He was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans out of spring training camp. Chris was playing very well for them at the time he was promoted to New York. Batting for a .528 average, with seven home runs over a nine game period. "I wouldn't look at myself as a big home run guy," Aguila said. "I was swinging the bat pretty good, and happened to hit some home runs. But I wasn't out there trying to do that. It just happened."

Chris made his Mets' debut on June 11, 2008 at Shea Stadium facing the Arizona Diamondbacks. The outfielder would get a hit in the 5-3 New York victory. One of only three games in which he would appear before being returned to the New Orleans Zephyrs.

When the Mets placed Luis Castillo on the disabled list and optioned pitcher, Carlos Muniz to Triple-A, both Aguila and Argenis Reyes were promoted to New York on July 3rd. After five more appearances in which he would only manage one hit in six at-bats, Chris was granted free agency on September 29, 2008.

Chris comes from a widely varied ethnic background. His father is of Filipino and Spanish decent, and his mother is Samoan, Tongan, and Fijian. He learned the Polynesian Fire Knife Dance when he was a youth. "Because of the danger, I wasn't taught the Fire Knife Dance until I was 16. Basically, it's twirling and spinning a burning knife while someone is playing the drums. Sometimes I'll put it on my tongue. It's a lot of fun." Aguila explained.

Chris Aguila signed his card in the set for my friend Eric when the Colorado Springs Sky Sox visited the Las Vegas 51s at Cashman Field on May 2, 2010.

#78) RALPH TERRY

Ralph Terry joined the New York Mets when his contract was purchased from the Kansas City Athletics on August 6, 1966. The former Yankee pitcher came over to the Mets at the end of his career. In the past he had been a starting pitcher, but was used almost exclusively from the bullpen in 1966. He ended with a 0-1 record and a 4.74 ERA.

Terry's greatest contribution to the Mets came in the Florida Instructional League following the 1966 season. It was there that he suggested the addition of a screwball pitch into the repertoire of a young Tug McGraw. "With the natural tail you have on your fastball," Ralph suggested, "you should try it." It would become McGraw's "out pitch".

Ralph was released in November 30, 1966, but resigned as a free agent only four and a half months later. He would appear in two games for the Mets in 1967. Not allowing a run in either outing, but retiring from baseball after his release on May 16th.

After baseball Terry became a professional golfer on the Senior Tour. He had played recreationally throughout his pitching career, but obtained his card by earning a spot through Q-school. "I remember Bob Charles saying, 'You're playing good, but you're 40 years behind us,'" Ralph said. "I was fairly long, a little wild off the tee, a good putter and I could have a hot streak once in awhile. But I didn't know how bad I was, and those guys don't know how good they are."

Ralph Terry signed his card in the set for me from a private signing held by Bob Crabill on February 7, 2009.

#790) BOBBY PARNELL

Bobby Parnell was selected by the New York Mets in the ninth round of the free agent draft on June 7, 2005. The right-hander was used as a starting pitcher with much success during his time in the minor leagues. Parnell was named an All-Star in each of three leagues, and led the New York-Penn League with a 1.73 ERA in 2005.

The Mets promoted Bobby from Triple-A New Orleans to New York when rosters expanded in September 2008. Armed with a 97-98 mph fastball the team placed the North Carolina native as a member of the bullpen. Two weeks later he made his major league debut on September 15th. Parnell pitched the eighth inning facing the Nationals in Washington, D.C. Retiring all three hitters he faced. "It felt like I was floating to the mound," Bobby remembered. "You go to get the ball, and after that I looked down at the mound and said, 'It's the same mound you've always been pitching on. It's nothing new.'" New York eventually lost the contest 7-2. "We lost and we're in a playoff race, so it was subdued in there," Parnell said, "but it was still cool for everyone to come over and congratulate me."

On September 22, 2008, he had the distinction of becoming the last new Mets player to appear in a game during the Shea Stadium era. Bobby would make it into six total games to close that year. He was actually the final Mets pitcher, getting the final out, in the last game played at Shea. The infamous 4-2 season-ending loss to the Florida Marlins.

Bobby Parnell signed his card in the set for me before the Buffalo Bisons faced the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field on May 8, 2010. Adding his Shea Stadium debut inscription.

#207) JIM DWYER

Jim Dwyer was traded by the Montreal Expos with Pepe Mangual to the New York Mets in exchange for Wayne Garrett and Del Unser on July 21, 1976. The veteran was a fine fielder, who was capable of handling each of the three outfield positions. He also had a knack for pinch-hitting and served in that capacity during the majority of his 11 games with the Mets. Dwyer struggled in New York and only hit for a .154 batting average with just 13 at-bats.

Jim was involved in a three team trade on December 8, 1976. The Mets dealt him to the Chicago Cubs. Pete LaCock went to the Kansas City Royals from Chicago. New York received a player to be named later that became the Royals' Sheldon Mallory on December 13th. Dwyer would go on to play in a total of 18 major league seasons and record 103 pinch-hits during that time.

After his playing career, Jim has served as a minor league manager and hitting coach. Most recently in the Minnesota Twins organization.

Jim Dwyer signed his card in the set for my friend, Mike before a Ft. Myers Miracle game in Florida during their 2009 season.

#673) SHANE SPENCER

Shane Spencer signed with the New York Mets as a free agent on January 29, 2004. He entered spring training camp that season with the team expecting him to form a right field platoon with his longtime friend, Karim Garcia. "The fact that we're close will help us this season," Spencer said. "If I am doing something wrong, he'll tell me what he is seeing, and I'll do the same. We have a respect for each other. We've seen both sides of this game—the top and the losing side."

The gentlemen were indeed close and on one occasion, during spring training camp, their off-field actions brought them trouble. After leaving a bar in Port St. Lucie, Florida the pair were involved in an altercation with several local men. The Mets fined the two outfielders a reported $1,000 each for the incident. "I'm certainly disappointed," the team owner, Fred Wilpon was quoted. Following their investigation, the St. Lucie Police Department dropped all charges days later.

Shane made his Mets' debut in the second game of the 2004 season. He delivered two hits during a wild 10-18 loss to the Braves in Atlanta on April 7th. In 74 games that year he would hit for a .281 batting average with four home runs and 26 RBIs. A freak accident on July 24th landed Spencer on the disabled list. Shane sliced open the heel of his right foot in a strange sequence of events at a Manhattan bar. The New York Times reported that Spencer had chosen to visit the bar after completing a team sponsored cruise around New York Harbor to benefit the Mets Foundation. Shane was sitting at the bar wearing a pair of leather sandals. As he got up, the sandals partially slid off his feet. Stepping down he felt something dig into the back of his right heel. After a few moments, Spencer noticed the blood and broken glass around his foot. "It was a pretty big gash," Shane said. "It makes me mad. You don't go on the D.L. for something stupid. I kind of laugh about it, but at the same time, it's hard." Paramedics took him to St. Vincent's Hospital where five stitches were required to close the cut.

The New York Mets released Shane on August 7, 2004.

Shane Spencer became the hitting coach for the Lake Elsinore Storm, and signed his card in the set for my friend, Mike during their 2009 season.

#774) FERNANDO TATIS

Fernando Tatis joined the New York Mets as a free agent on March 23, 2007. He spent that first year in the organization entirely with Triple-A New Orleans. The Dominican Republic native had been home healing injuries and out of baseball for the two prior years. In fact during 2005 and 2006 he had avoided baseball. "I didn't even watch a game," Tatis said. "I had no plans to play again." His two young sons encouraged his return when the time was right. "They wanted to see me play," Fernando explained. "In my heart, I know I am a player. I promised to try and go back. I put the feeling in my heart one more time." A secondary explanation surfaced as well. "In my town," Tatis said, "We needed to buy land to build a church. And I said to my family, the only way that we can buy this land is if I come back to baseball and make the money to buy the land to build the church." It worked. "You put something in your mind and when you see the reality, and when you see the church is so beautiful, so big," the slugger said. "It's amazing."

Tatis made his New York Mets debut on May 13, 2008 when starting outfielder, Moises Alou was ailing and Angel Pagan became injured. Once brought to the roster Fernando immediately began to deliver key hits. Late inning home runs to win ball games became his specialty. A big game of his charmed season came on August 5th in New York. Facing the San Diego Padres a resurgent Tatis would hit two home runs and drive in four runs during the Mets' 6-5 victory. His second blast was followed by a curtain call from the fans. "All of Shea Stadium cheering my name — it's unbelievable," Fernando said at the time. "It's amazing for me."

A versatile player who was able to play both outfield and infield positions, but somehow his appearance as an everyday player was questioned by some. "He's a good ballplayer. He's always been a tough out. He's not a surprise to the guys that know him." responded teammate, Billy Wagner.

The dream season would come to a close on September 16th. While attempting to make a diving catch in the outfield, Fernando was injured. Tatis landed on his shoulder and stayed on the ground as the ball rolled past him for a double. It was diagnosed as a separated shoulder that ended his season. "He's done," manager Jerry Manuel would announce. "That's very discouraging, to lose a big piece of where we are and what we've accomplished so far."

In October, Fernando was named the 2008 National League Comeback Player of the Year. His fellow players in Major League Baseball had voted him the winner of the annual award.

"To me, I take it this way: it's a blessing for me to be here," Tatis had commented earlier in the season. "God has blessed me every day just to be here in the big leagues, to be alive. That's the way I take it right now. And it's amazing."

Fernando Tatis signed his card in the set for me when the New York Mets visited the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark on May 4, 2010.