#583) MIKE HAMPTON

Mike Hampton was traded along with Derek Bell from the Houston Astros to the New York Mets in exchange for Roger Cedeno, Octavio Dotel, and Kyle Kessel on December 23, 1999. The All-Star pitcher was in the final year of his contract with the Astros, who felt they had no chance of resigning the impending free agent. "I didn't ask for a trade, but it didn't come on a whim. There was a lot of thought," said Hampton upon coming to New York after telling Houston he would not negotiate a long-term deal with them. "No, I didn't have any second thoughts. I made a decision and I'll stick it out until the end of the season and take it from there."

Mike pitched well for the Mets during the 2000 regular season. A fierce competitor who ended the year with a 15-10 record and 3.14 ERA. In his 33 starts for New York, Hampton threw three complete games including a shutout. On August 17th he strained an oblique muscle, but missed only one start due to the injury. He explained, "It's late in the season. I'm not out there just trying to get through. I'm out there trying to help my team win." Mike was selected as the pitcher on the National League Silver Slugger team for 2000. Evidence of his ability to help a team both on the mound and at the plate.

As good as Hampton was during the season he was even better in the National League Championship Series. Mike was dominant in his two starts facing the St. Louis Cardinals. The left-hander won the series opener by shutting out the Cardinals during his seven innings of work. Then followed that with a complete game victory in Game 5 while striking out eight batters. Hampton will be remembered by Mets' fans for the image of him raising his fist triumphantly into the air at the conclusion of that game. Mike had led the Mets back to the World Series and was named the NLCS Most Valuable Player. "I'm close," he said, wiping champagne out of his eyes after clinching. "The way I see it, we still have four to win to fufill that fantasy. We're content, but we're still four away."

The Mets would fall to the New York Yankees in the Subway Series of 2000. Mike was the starting pitcher in Game 2, but did not have quite the same success as before. Matching up against Roger Clemens at Yankee Stadium he would be given the loss that evening. Hampton surrendered four runs during his six innings of work in what would become a 6-5 defeat. The 2000 World Series was won by the Yankees four games to one.

Mike would sign with the Colorado Rockies as a free agent on December 9, 2000.

He developed the Mike Hampton Pitching In Foundation that assists many local Florida charities and youth based organizations. In 2003 it awarded it's first scholarships to deserving area high school seniors.

Mike Hampton signed his card in the set for Wendy Scott in Arizona on May 20, 2014.

#455) JOHN CANGELOSI

John Cangelosi signed with the New York Mets as a free agent on November 17, 1993. The veteran outfielder was brought on to strengthen the bench, and was used primarily as a reserve during his season with the team. A Brooklyn native, who possessed great speed that produced a career high 50 stolen bases during 1986 with the Chicago White Sox. He led a much slower New York team with five steals for the 1994 season. A feat accomplished while playing in only 62 games.

The 5-foot 8-inch tall Cangelosi was the center of controversy following an incident with John Smoltz on May 14, 1994. The Mets were facing the Braves that day at Shea Stadium. New York's Ryan Thompson broke out of a 2-for-36 slump in a big way by delivering a grand slam home run off the Atlanta starting pitcher. Smoltz took exception to the celebratory fashion in which Thompson rounded the bases, "He looked like he was going to go to their dugout and give everyone a high-five before he got to first base." Cangelosi who had been hit by a Smoltz pitch earlier in the same game was the next batter. He was promptly struck in the back by the Atlanta right-hander and charged the mound in retaliation. A bench clearing brawl followed and the event was even featured on the front cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. The league handed out suspensions to the three players involved. Team historians have even pointed to this event as the beginning of the Mets-Braves rivalry.

In a roster move to activate a returning Kevin McReynolds, the Mets officially optioned Cangelosi to Triple-A Norfolk and he exercised his option to be released on July 8th. "With my limited role, I thought I did everything in my power to keep this job and I can't figure out their decision," John said at the time. "It just doesn't make sense." With the Mets then in a position of making their discontented first baseman David Segui an occasional outfielder he may have had a point.

John teamed up with fellow major-leaguer Bo Jackson to create a state-of-the-art baseball training facility in the Chicago area. Cangelosi Baseball, a youth instructional program was formed in 2008. He also has served as the Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Joliet Jackhammers baseball team of the Northern League.

I created John Cangelosi's card in the set from an autographed index card given to me by my friend, Jessie on June 24, 2010.

#169) HARRY PARKER

Harry Parker was traded along with Jim Beauchamp, Chuck Taylor, and Tom Coulter by the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Mets in exchange for Art Shamsky, Rich Folkers, Jim Bibby, and Charlie Hudson on October 18, 1971. It would take a season in the minor-leagues before he would make his Mets' debut on April 15, 1973. Parker would post a 4-0 record in his first four starts for New York and tie a then team record shared with Ray Sadecki and later Terry Leach. That mark was broken on June 23, 2010, when pitcher R.A. Dickey started his Mets' career at 6-0.

Harry's best year with New York came that first season and found him pitching for the 1973 National League Championship team. Compiling a record of 8-4 and a nice 3.35 ERA. Parker was effective as both a starter and reliever and that versatility added five saves to his line. 

He would pitch two more seasons for the Mets before they sold his contract to the St. Louis Cardinals on August 4, 1975.

Harry Parker died on May 29, 2012 in Richmond, Virginia at the young age of 64.

I created Harry Parker's card in the set from an index card that was purchased from the John Leptich Collection in 2013.

#237) GIL FLORES

Gil Flores came to the New York Mets when they selected him off waivers from the California Angels on July 28, 1978. A native of Puerto Rico, he was initially assigned to Triple-A Tidewater to finish the season. Flores would make his Mets debut as a year-end roster expansion on September 5, 1978. Gil appeared in 11 games and hit for a nice .276 batting average.

Flores was used almost exclusively as a pinch-hitter in New York the next season. His production in that role was not nearly as effective and saw his batting average drop to .194 for his 93 at-bats during the 1979 season. Gil remained in the Mets organization for the next five years returning to play at Triple-A Tidewater through the 1984 campaign. Finishing his career recording a total of 13 minor-league seasons and a cumulative batting average there of .298.

I created Gil Flores' card in the set from an autographed index card that came from the extensive collection of Dr. John Davis, Jr. Purchased for me by my good friend, Jessie.

#760) JON ADKINS

Jon Adkins joined the New York Mets when he was traded along with Ben Johnson from the San Diego Padres in exchange for Heath Bell and Royce Ring on November 15, 2006. The day of the trade, Mets general manager Omar Minaya explained, "Jon Adkins has had success on the major league level and can pitch multiple innings. He's another quality arm to add to our bullpen staff."

The Mets promoted Adkins from Triple-A New Orleans on July 27, 2007. He entered the game that day at Shea Stadium. Throwing a perfect seventh inning by retiring all three Washington Nationals batters he faced. New York would still lose the contest 6-5.

Both Paul Lo Duca and Carlos Beltran were nursing injuries that kept them out of the lineup, but not severe enough to place them on the disabled list. This forced Mets' manager, Willie Randolph to work with a short bench of position players. "It's aggravating to not have a full squad," Randolph explained. "I mean, I had to use a pitcher to hit last night. It's aggravating to deal with what you have to deal with, but that's the way it goes."

A solution was on it's way, and 30 minutes before the start of the July 29th game Adkins was designated for assignment. Allowing the club to quickly promote outfielder, David Newhan from New Orleans. Jon would not return to the New York roster and that made his appearance days earlier the only one of his Mets' career.

Jon Adkins signed his card in the set for me before the Louisville Bats faced the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field on July 5, 2010. Adding the inscription of his only Mets' appearance.

#263) MOOKIE WILSON

Mookie Wilson joined the New York Mets organization when the club selected him in the second round of the free agent player draft on June 7, 1977. He would go on to become one of the most beloved Mets in franchise history. Possessing both tremendous speed and an incomparable charisma which made him instantly popular with New York fans.

Wilson made his Mets' debut as a late season call-up on September 2, 1980. That day he started in center field and batted lead-off. The club fell to the Dodgers in Los Angeles, but the young switch-hitter had begun his major-league career. It was also the first Mets' game for minor-league teammate, Wally Backman. Three years later, Mookie would set the Mets' club record for triples in a season, and then break his own record with 10 in 1984.

An accident occurred to Mookie during spring training camp of 1986. While involved in a base-running drill he was struck in the right eye with a thrown baseball. Vision glasses that Wilson was wearing at the time were broken. "The glasses shattered," he said, "but they didn't do any damage. And, in fact, they took the full impact of the blow and probably prevented more damage." The injury caused Mookie to miss the first month of the season. Allowing another piece to the puzzle, young prospect Lenny Dykstra a chance to fill-in as the center fielder during his absence.

During the 1986 World Series he was involved in the biggest single play in New York Mets team history. With the Boston Red Sox one out away from a World Championship, Wilson hit a ball that rolled between first baseman, Bill Buckner's legs and ended the game. Mookie shared with Mike Piazza in 2000, that even an hour after that Game 6 there were players in the training room still asking, "What happened?" It elevated the outfielder to legend. "Sadly, yes, that's the first thing people remember about me," Mookie conceded. "When people see me on the street, that's how they remember me. It used to bother me, but now I accept that it was one of the most unbelievable moments." Wilson's Mets would go on to win an improbable 1986 World Championship.

Wilson played in New York until he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Jeff Musselman and Mike Brady on August 1, 1989. The trade was requested by Mookie who saw the club beginning a youth movement. "I have mixed feelings about leaving," he said at the time. "I've always wanted to play regularly, so it's an opportunity for me. But the thought of leaving New York is sad. I have strong ties to New York." Mets' vice-president for baseball operations, Joe McIlvaine commented, "Since I came here, I think that Mookie Wilson is the finest individual we ever had in this organization."

Mookie Wilson was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1996. The same year that he earned his bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences from Mercy College in New York. Completing his secondary education as a 40-year old graduate. Afterward he rejoined the Mets organization as a coach from 1997 through 2002, and managed the minor league Brooklyn Cyclones in 2005.

In 2009, in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field, Wilson was presented the prestigious J. Walter Kennedy Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Before the 2010 season he rejoined the New York Mets as a roving outfielder instructor, and worked with players during spring training camp.

Mookie Wilson beautifully signed his card card in the set for my good friend, Jessie through "The Man for All Things Mets"—Jack Berke on June 23, 2010. Jack's website can be found here.

#84) DON CARDWELL

Don Cardwell came to the New York Mets when he was traded along with Don Bosch from the

Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Dennis Ribant and Gary Kolb on December 6, 1966.

He made his Mets debut on April 11, 1967, but his greatest contribution to the club came during the magical 1969 season. Don was a member of the regular season starting rotation and excelled during the final months of the year. The Mets overcame a 10-game deficit to win the division from the Chicago Cubs. During that time, Cardwell won four games in which he started, and yet another in a relief role. Highlighted with a 28 consecutive scoreless innings streak during that span.

"He was a tremendous mentor to the young guys on our staff," teammate Tom Seaver said. "When he said something you listened. He was the ultimate professional."

Ron Swoboda remembers Don sticking up for his fellow Mets during a fight with Houston in 1969, and dropping Astros third baseman, Doug Rader with one punch. "I think it helps calm you down when you've got a guy like that who's ready to do what it takes," Swoboda said. "When you got to fist city you needed some guys that were ready to go."

The Mets sold Don's contract to the Atlanta Braves on July 12, 1970. After his baseball career, the man who had thrown a no-hitter with the Chicago Cubs in 1960, became an executive for auto dealerships in his hometown of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Cardwell was also an excellent golfer who played on the celebrity tour during the 1980s.

Don Cardwell passed away on January 14, 2008 at the age of 72. He had been suffering from Pick's disease, a form on dementia.

I created his card in the set from an autographed index card given to me by my friend, Jessie on June 24, 2010.