#707) ROYCE RING

Royce Ring was traded from the Chicago White Sox along with Edwin Almonte and Andrew Salvo to the New York Mets in exchange for Roberto Alomar on July 1, 2003. The left-hander was the key player for the Mets in the deal. Royce has projected as a future closer in the major leagues. "I was shocked when I was traded because I had barely spent a full season in their organization," Ring said. "But then I realized it was good that another team wanted me and that I had an opportunity with the Mets."

That opportunity came on April 27, 2005. Ring was added to the roster after pitcher, Mike Matthews was designated for assignment. "Royce has been throwing the ball very well at Triple-A," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. "He's continued to get lefties out, and we just felt the young guy should get a chance." He would make his Mets' debut on April 29th facing the Washington Nationals at RFK Stadium. Ring appeared in 15 games, with a 5.06 ERA before returning to the Norfolk Tides to finish the season.

Royce pitched most of the 2006 season again in Triple-A. He enjoyed much success there and was named to the International League All-Star team. Ring established a Norfolk Tides record with a 26-2/3-scoreless-innings streak from April 19th through July 8th. So it was not surprising that when Mike Pelfrey was optioned to Norfolk, it was Ring who was recalled on August 2nd. He pitched well in New York, but was the victim of a needed roster move that added newly acquired outfielder, Shawn Green three weeks later. Royce was sent back to the Tides temporarily, but brought back to the Mets on September 1st. He appeared in a total of 11 games in 2006 compiling a fine 2.13 ERA with eight strikeouts in 12-2/3 innings.

The Mets traded Ring along with Heath Bell to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Ben Johnson and Jon Adkins on November 15, 2006.

Royce Ring signed his card in the set for me after the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees and Indianapolis Indians game at Victory Field on May 21, 2010.

#586) KURT ABBOTT

Kurt Abbott signed with the New York Mets as a free agent on January 26, 2000. He signed the contract knowing that any middle-infielder on the same team as Gold Glove winners, Edgardo Alfonzo and Rey Ordonez would see limited playing time. So when he made his Mets' debut on April 5, 2000 it was in a reserve role. That situation changed on May 29th. Ordonez suffered a broken left forearm at Dodger Stadium, and the decision was made to establish Kurt as the starting shortstop during his absence. "I'm not replacing him. I'm filling in for him," Abbott said. "I'm not feeling any pressure because I can't do what Rey Ordonez does. I can't think, "If Rey Ordonez in out there, he'd make that play."

Kurt was the hero of the day for the Mets on June 8th facing the Baltimore Orioles at Shea Stadium. With one out in the 10th inning, he hit the first pitch from Jose Mercedes into the left field seats to send the 9,540 fans who showed up—the smallest crowd in three years—home happy. His home run sealed the 8-7 victory. "Rounding third-base, seeing your teammates waiting to trample you is a great feeling," Abbott said. "I don't know if I've done that before. I certainly hope to do it again."

Abbott shared the shortstop duties with Melvin Mora until the club traded for Mike Bordick on July 28th. Kurt was a member of the 2000 National League Championship team, and appeared in the World Series. He was given a much publicized start at shortstop for Game 5 of the Subway Series against the Yankees. "I don't think that one person out there thought Kurt Abbott would start a game in the World Series at shortstop," he would say to a large group of writers before the game. "I bet my a-- on that." He would get a hit in his three at-bats, but the Mets would lose the game and series to the Bronx Bombers.

At the conclusion of his playing days, Kurt followed his desire to pursue a career in law enforcement. In 2006, the World Series hero became one on a different level when he rescued a family from a smoke-filled apartment fire in Palm City, Florida. "I turned my back to the door, and took a deep breath," Kurt recalled. "I put her arms around my neck and the other girl held on." Abbott became a Martin County Sheriff's Deputy serving on the Community Oriented Policing Unit.

I created Kurt Abbott's card in the set from an autographed index card given to me by my good friend, Jessie on May 18, 2010.

#157) BILL SUDAKIS

Bill Sudakis had his contract purchased from the Los Angeles Dodgers by the New York Mets on March 27, 1972. As a prospect he had been so highly regarded that the Dodgers had moved fellow prospect, Steve Garvey to first base to open up third base for Sudakis. "Suds" would make his Mets' debut on July 11, 1972 facing the San Francisco Giants at Shea Stadium. He was assigned to the team's Double-A Memphis Blues club in August. After 25 games he had a .167 batting average there. Despite that Bill was recalled to the Mets when major league rosters expanded in September. During his two short stints with New York, the switch-hitter appeared in 18 games and batted .143 with one home run and seven RBIs.

Bill was traded by the Mets to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Bill McNulty on March 28, 1973. The Rangers used Sudakis, who during his career had always been a better hitter than fielder, in the American League's newly introduced designated hitter role.

Bill Sudakis signed his card in the set during a private signing held by Chris Potter Sports in California on May 12, 2010.

#111) AMOS OTIS

Amos Otis was drafted by the New York Mets from the Boston Red Sox in the minor league draft on November 29, 1966. He made his major league debut while a member of the Mets on September 6, 1967. The young prospect was an end of the season call-up and appeared in 19 games. Amos collected his first big-league hit on September 14th off future Hall of Famer, Phil Niekro facing the Braves in Atlanta.

Amos was returned back to the minor leagues until his return to New York in April of 1969. He would break camp with the Miracle Mets, but not be a part of the club that claimed the World Championship. Unable to secure an everyday position the struggling outfielder was sent to Triple-A Tidewater in mid-June. Once again he would be promoted in September to finish the year. "I didn't even hit my weight with the Mets in '69," Otis said, laughing. He was not a part of the post season roster.

Otis was traded along with Bob Johnson to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Joe Foy on December 3, 1969. He would go on to become an All-Star centerfielder during his 14 years in Kansas City.

Since retiring from the game, Amos has enjoyed playing golf, helping at select baseball clinics, and building his own autograph collection. One of his prized possessions is a signed item featuring the cast members from "The Andy Griffith Show," including Gomer Pyle.

He also still enjoys signing autographs. Amos explained, "The day they stop asking, that's a problem. I'm always thrilled when people recognize me and want my autograph. And it happens every now and then in various cities. I'm always happy to sign autographs, and I don't like the guys who won't sign autographs because, without the fans, there really is no baseball."

I created Amos Otis' card in the set from an autographed index card given to me by my friend, Ritchie on May 10, 2010.

#636) MARCO SCUTARO

Marco Scutaro was claimed by the New York Mets off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers on April 5, 2002. He was invited to major league camp during spring training, but assigned to Triple-A Norfolk to begin the 2002 season. An injury to Joe McEwing presented an opportunity for Scutaro to be promoted to New York. His Mets' debut came on July 21st facing the Cincinnati Reds at Riverfront Stadium. His first hit for the club was a pinch-hit, two-run triple the next day that led to a 5-2 Mets' victory. "We got veteran players over here that pinch-hit better than me," Marco said, "I'm glad that Bobby gave me the opportunity."

Earlier during the same road trip to Cincinnati, his manager Bobby Valentine had not recognized the Venezuelan infielder. Valentine had mistaken him for a friendly fan, when Scutaro introduced himself at a restaurant after first joining the team.

Marco was doomed by a feud that existed between Bobby and general manager, Steve Phillips. Valentine had asked for outfield help, and Phillips chose to promote Scutaro, an infielder who had a few games of outfield experience instead. On August 10th in St. Louis, Marco was used as a pinch-hitter and then sent out defensively to play left field. That area was notoriously a "sun field" at Busch Stadium, and very difficult for even an accomplished outfielder. Scutaro misplayed a fly ball that fell in for a double and proved to be the Cardinals winning run. Afterward, Valentine just shook his head. "Steve told me the kid could play the outfield. Not much I could do," he said. It would be Scutaro's only appearance in the outfield for the Mets.

Marco never adjusted well to the role of a bench player during two brief stints in New York. He was claimed by the Oakland Athletics off waivers when the Mets tried to return him to the minors on October 9, 2003. "I don't look at the Mets as anything other than just another team," Scutaro was quoted after becoming Oakland's starting second baseman. "I don't really care about that organization. They didn't treat me right. They didn't give me a real chance."

Marco Scutaro signed an index card that I used to create his card in the set for my friend, Nick Diunte of Baseball Happenings in Florida on February 18, 2010.

#649) TOM GLAVINE

Tom Glavine came to the New York Mets when he was signed as a free agent on December 5, 2002. The former two-time Cy Young Award winner with the Atlanta Braves was brought over to become the staff ace for the Mets. "I never thought I would play for someone else." Glavine said at the time of the deal. "I thought I would play my whole career with the Braves. I held out hope that things would work out, but they didn't. There's a lot of emotions. It's a tough time."

His first season in New York was an adjustment and the results showed that. Tom finished with a 9-14 record and 4.52 ERA. In 2004 the left-hander would return closer to his previous form. Glavine represented the Mets in the All-Star Game that year and dropped to a 3.60 ERA for the season. He even flirted with a no-hitter, which would have been the first in franchise history, on May 23rd facing the Colorado Rockies at Shea Stadium. Tom was working on the no-hitter until Kit Pellow hit a double in the eight inning with two outs. "Believe me, a no-hitter or a perfect game, that's the last thing that I expect to do," Glavine said. "I've got a better chance of going 4-for-4."

Tom was just 10 wins shy of collecting 300 victories in his career at the close of the 2005 season. With his contract with the Mets fulfilled, Glavine again expressed a desire to return to Atlanta. "It's been a very difficult month for him. agonizing over it," his agent Gregg Clifton explained, "but when he never got an offer (from Atlanta), there was nothing to really think about in the end." Tom was signed to a one-year $10.5 million dollar contract with the Mets.

Glavine became only the 23rd pitcher all-time, and 5th left-hander, to reach the 300 win plateau on August 5, 2007. He reached the milestone with a 8-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Thus becoming the only man to do so while wearing a Mets' uniform. "I think that the feeling right now is probably relief," Tom said. "At some point in time, I don't know when, the historic side of it will sink in. I know the company I'm in, and I'm as proud as can be to be in that company." The entire Mets' clubhouse was proud of him too. They all donned special t-shirts that were ordered by clubhouse manager Charlie Samuels following the game. An orange "300" and a silhouette of Glavine pitching were on the chest. The future Hall of Famer was honored in a pre-game ceremony at Shea Stadium on August 12th. "To say that I'm humbled and flattered certainly would not scratch the surface of how I feel right now at this moment," Tom told the crowd that day. "To you guys, the fans in New York, it's been a fun ride for me here (and) it's a pretty cool thing to be a part of."

He returned to Atlanta when he signed as a free agent contract with the Braves on November 18, 2007.

Tom Glavine signed the logo card I used to create his card in the set when the Atlanta Braves visited the Washington Nationals for a spring training game in Viera, Florida on March 15, 2010.

#424) BARRY JONES

Barry Jones came to the New York Mets when he signed as a free agent on August 14, 1992. The right-handed sinkerball pitcher had been released by the Philadelphia Phillies on July 29th. Mets' manager Jeff Torborg was familiar with Jones having managed him previously with the Chicago White Sox. Barry now joined a struggling New York club that eventually finished 24 games behind the front-running Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Eastern Division. He would register a 2-0 record, with a 9.39 ERA in 17 appearances. Jones was granted free agency and signed with the Chicago White Sox on January 2, 1993. He would retire that next season.

"It all happened so fast," he explained. "I don't think I had anytime to stop and think. I was just fortunate enough to have the God-given ability to throw the baseball 90 mph and have it go where I wanted it to."

Barry was born in Centerville, Indiana, and they celebrated the fact on May 17, 2008. The former pitcher was invited back home to serve as the Grand Marshall of the Centerville Youth League Parade. "Barry grew up about three houses from the ball park and played there all the time," said Chuck Bryant, president of the CYL at that time. "So, when he comes back home in May, we're going to dedicate a diamond in his name."

After his baseball career, Jones began working in the construction industry. He was the project manager for Ionadi Corporation when they poured the concrete for the main concourse of PNC Park, the new home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. "I spent eight months down there," Barry recalled. "It was really cool. We had the entire main-level concourse. We would do 700-yard pours. It was quite interesting—a big project. I think our contract was $14 or 15 million." Which could place him as the only former major leaguer to later help build a stadium.

Barry Jones signed his card in the set for me through a private signing held by Badgley Promotions on April 9, 2010.