#305) MIKE FITZGERALD

Mike Fitzgerald was selected by the New York Mets in the sixth round of the free agent draft on June 6, 1978. He was drafted upon graduation from Lakewood High School in California. Mike was a fine defensive catcher in the minor leagues who was promoted to New York at the close of the 1983 season. Fitzgerald became part of a select group when he stepped to the plate for the first time as a major-leaguer on September 13th. He stroked a home run that made him the 48th player in MLB history to accomplish the feat in their first career at-bat. (The second Met to accomplish the feat after Benny Ayala in 1974.) It was a solo shot coming off Phillies pitcher, Tony Ghelfi in Philadelphia. Mike would appear in a total of eight games to close the year.

He won the Mets' starting catching job in 1984. Appearing in 112 games for a team that went from last place the previous season to winning 90 games. Mike's defensive would again prove to be his strength and led all National League catchers with a .995 fielding percentage. That mark would tie the previous team record established by Jerry Grote. His efforts were rewarded with his selection as the catcher on the 1984 Topps All-Rookie Team.

Mike's career with the Mets ended when he was traded along with Hubie Brooks, Herm Winningham, and Floyd Youmans to the Montreal Expos in exchange for future Hall of Fame catcher, Gary Carter on December 10, 1984.

Mike Fitzgerald signed his card in the set from an autograph request sent to his home on September 26, 2009.

#643) PEDRO FELICIANO

Pedro Feliciano joined the New York Mets when he was traded along with Raul Gonzalez, Brady Clark and Elvin Andujar from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Shawn Estes on August 15, 2002. The left-hander made his major-league debut days later at Shea Stadium on September 4th. He worked the final two scoreless innings of an 11-3 victory over the Florida Marlins. The rest of his appearances were not nearly as effective and he was returned to the minor leagues.

Pedro spent the next two seasons shuttling between New York and Triple-A Norfolk. New York pitching coach, Rick Peterson suggested he abandon his traditional throwing style and become more of a side-arm delivery in 2004. Pedro had also made another decision. His contract was sold by the Mets to the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the Japanese League on January 21, 2005. As a reliever in Japan his workload dramatically increased. "It was crazy," Feliciano said. "I had never thrown that much in my life." The daily 25-pitch bullpen sessions improved his arm strength and durability. Techniques he learned in Japan changed his warmup routine and led to increased flexibility. After a season with the Hawks he returned to New York a changed pitcher.

Feliciano established himself as the left-handed specialist for the Mets in 2006. The ability of his slider to do more than just that was obvious. "When you talk about relievers in baseball, in my mind, he's at the top because he can get out both lefties and righties," Mets General Manager Omar Minaya praised in 2007. Without fanfare he became an essential part of the team's bullpen. His durability allowed him to establish a team record of game appearances for a pitcher, with 86 in 2008, during the final season of Shea Stadium. "I'm still working," Feliciano offered. "I'm not perfect yet."

Pedro Feliciano signed his card in the set for me before the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field on August 29, 2009.

#190) RICK BALDWIN

Rick Baldwin was selected by the New York Mets in the ninth round of the 1971 free agent draft. He would reach New York and make his major-league debut at Shea Stadium on April 10, 1975. Rick threw an inning of scoreless relief against the Philadelphia Phillies that day. The rookie would lead the Mets pitching staff with 54 appearances that year. All while recording a 3.33 ERA. So Rick was understandably disappointed after learning that he was being sent to Triple-A Tidewater at the conclusion of spring training in 1976. "I was really down, but she (his wife, Sherry) told me I couldn't spend the whole year sulking." remembered Baldwin, "So then I prayed a lot, and suddenly realized that I couldn't quit. I had to show them I could pitch."

Rick earned a late season call up to New York. He finished the year even stronger than his first stint in the major-leagues. Lowering his ERA to 2.38 during 11 games in 1976, but the end result was the same. Baldwin was again the last pitcher reassigned out of spring training camp. "It didn't bother me as much as the first time from a mental standpoint," said Rick, "but it did create problems. Sherry was eight months pregnant with our second child, and on her way to New York. So I had to go up there and get her before reporting to Tidewater."

The family's stay in the minors was short. Baldwin was back with the Mets on May 24, 1977. He would close the year with the big club, but see his effectiveness falter. Having his ERA swell to 4.45 during 40 appearances. Rick earned his only save of the year in the final game of the season facing the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Seattle Mariners selected Baldwin from the New York Mets during the expansion draft on December 5, 1977. Rick would not return to the major-leagues before retiring in 1978.

Following his baseball career, Rick has served with his wife, Sherry as the Elementary Chapel instructors at Modesto Christian School. He has remained involved in baseball ministry by serving as the Camp Director and Head Coach for the Total Baseball Academy at River Ranch Church where he is an Associate Pastor.

Rick Baldwin signed his card in the set from an autograph request sent to his home on January 10, 2009.

#602) JORGE VELANDIA

Jorge Velandia was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the New York Mets in exchange for (future American League All-Star outfielder) Nelson Cruz on August 30, 2000. He would make his debut with the major-league team as a late season call up on September 6th of that year. Velandia appeared in 15 games to close the campaign, but mainly as a defensive replacement. The Venezuelan born infielder did not collect a hit in his seven at-bats during that time.

He was a knowledgeable player that continued to show a much greater glove than bat during his time in the Mets organization. Jorge would spend much of his time with Triple-A Norfolk, but returned to New York in both of the next two years. Playing in nine games in 2001, and 35 more in his last season. Velandia left the Mets when he became a free agent and signed with the Atlanta Braves on November 14, 2003.

After his active playing career, Jorge became the hitting coach for the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2010. "A lot of people play professionally for a long time and end up hating the game," Valendia shared. "That's not me at all. I feel lucky to have played all this time, because the competition is so hard. Now I'm excited for the next step."

Jorge Velandia signed his card in the set for me following the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and Indianapolis Indians game at Victory Field on June 5, 2009.

#703) MIGUEL CAIRO

Miguel Cairo joined the New York Mets when he signed a free agent contract on January 10, 2005. When the veteran arrived in Port St. Lucie for spring training camp he brought his Yankees equipment bag. A Mets official joked, "You are going to have to burn that thing." and Cairo laughed and said, "No way." Miguel placed the enemies bag on top of his locker, but it soon found it's way into the bench chest inside. The versatile veteran was a favorite of manager, Willie Randolph and he played him at several different defensive positions. Many people felt Cairo might have been a better choice for the starting second baseman than the struggling Kaz Matsui. Randolph liked his value off the bench. Still, Miguel made his way into 100 games and posted a .251 batting average.

After only one season with the Mets, Cairo returned to the New York Yankees when he signed a free agent contract on January 5, 2006.

Miguel Cairo signed his card in the set for me following the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and Indianapolis Indians game at Victory Field on June 4, 2009.

#14) ED BAUTA

Ed Bauta was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Mets in exchange for Ken MacKenzie on August 5, 1963. He actually debuted with the Mets in 1963, but came to Shea Stadium when it opened the next season. Bauta pitched in the first game ever played at the new ballpark. He was given the loss after coming on in relief of starter, Jack Fisher.

The Cuban born right-hander was not with the club long during the 1964 season. Bauta made eight appearances with New York before throwing his last game in the major-leagues on May 9th. Ed was sent to Triple-A Buffalo to finish the year. He started the next year there too, but finished it with the Baltimore Orioles Triple-A affiliate in Rochester.

Ed Bauta signed his card in the set from an autograph request sent to his home on November 4, 2008.

#400) ANTHONY YOUNG

Anthony Young was selected by the New York Mets in the 38th round of the free agent draft on June 2, 1987. He was a scholarship defensive back at the University of Houston. Anthony made his major league debut as a member of the Mets on August 5, 1991. He became the lowest draft pick to make the team since 38th-rounder Dave Schneck in 1967. "Anthony started slowly this year at Tidewater, but he turned it around and based on what he's shown up here, we think that Anthony has a chance to make the team as a starter next year," offered Mets' Assistant Vice President Gerry Hunsicker on his debut.

On May 6, 1992 he was the losing pitcher when the Mets fell to the Cincinnati Reds at Riverfront Stadium. That started what would become a streak of losses which elevated the young right-hander to national attention. Young would drop 27 consecutive decisions (14 as a starter, and 13 as a reliever) before finally ending it with a win on July 24, 1993. "I got a bad rap on that," Anthony says of the streak, in which he had a 4.36 ERA. "I always said I didn't feel like I was pitching badly. It just happened to happen to me. I don't feel like I deserve it, but I'm known for it. It was an 82-year old record and it might be 82 more years before it's broken." His 27 straight losses eclipsed the mark of 23 recorded by Boston hurler, Cliff Curtis in 1911. The New York Times described Anthony as a "Noble Loser" and wrote, " Mr. Young endures all this with remarkable dignity, acknowledging the pain of his predicament but never giving in to it by whining."

It was the hard-luck nature and no excuse attitude of Young during the losing streak that kept the Shea Stadium faithful firmly behind the pitcher. He was even satirized by late-night talk show host, Jay Leno on a regular basis. Anthony made an appearance on his program once back on the winning track. "It was a lot of fun." Anthony remembers. During the struggle his locker was filled with good luck talismans mailed to him from supporters hoping to help. Psychics called the team and offered their assistance. All this added to the mystique of the Mets pitcher.

Other baseball clubs saw the promise in Young and routinely contacted New York in efforts to acquire him. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs along with Ottis Smith in exchange for Jose Vizcaino on March 30, 1994.

After his active pitching career came eight years working at a chemical plant. But he followed his desire to coach and developed AY Enterprises. Anthony formed teams of 9-13 year-olds in the Houston area. He also returned to the Mets organization as a regular at Mets fantasy camps in Port St. Lucie, Florida. "Life is good," Young said. "I'm a grandfather. It's been a pleasure watching my kids grow up and I'm keeping busy with baseball."

Anthony Young signed his card in the set for my friend Jessie, when the Mets faced the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field on June 27, 2010. Young was being recognized along with Mets 2010 Fantasy Camp members at the game.