#48) CLEON JONES

Cleon Jones was signed as a free agent by the New York Mets on July 5, 1962. He made his major league debut with the Mets on September 14, 1963 at the Polo Grounds. His Shea Stadium years would not begin until 1965. Cleon had his greatest professional season for the 1969 World Champion Miracle Mets. Leading the team in hitting with a .340 batting average (third best in the National League) he represented the Mets in that year's MLB All-Star game. Then paired with his childhood friend, Tommie Agee was a major part of the 1969 World Series success. Jones will always be remembered as fielding the final out of the series. Cleon recalls saying to himself at that moment, "Come on down baby. Come on down."

Jones returned to the World Series with the 1973 National Champion Mets. A team that fell just short of defeating the heavily favored Oakland A's. In 1975 he was released by New York and finished his rich career playing a few games for the Chicago White Sox.

Cleon grew up in Mobile County, Alabama. A predominantly African-American area which also featured Hank Aaron and Willie McCovey at that same time. During the 1964 season while Jones was playing for the Mets' minor league team in Buffalo, he had the task of first integrating the team hotel in Atlanta. His courage and determination paved the way for future Mets. "I don't consider myself a pioneer," Cleon graciously said, "I consider Jackie Robinson the pioneer. He was my favorite player of all time. What I went through all day, and then having to go on the field and concentrate, I know how tough it was for me. But I had the confidence and support of my teammates, even white players. When you look back at it, you think of what a great person he was and the sacrifice he made because he did it alone. That's what made him so much better than all of us."

Cleon Jones signed his card in the set for my friend Sam at the B.A.T. Fundraising Dinner on January 27, 2009.

#121) JIM McANDREW

Jim McAndrew was selected by the New York Mets in the 11th round of the free agent draft on June 8, 1965. The man from Lost Nation, Iowa made his major league debut with the Mets on July 21, 1968. Jim was a member of the 1969 World Champion Miracle Mets. His fine pitching in his starting assignments was a big reason the team was able to pass the Chicago Cubs to close the regular season. A fact that is often overshadowed by the attention paid to the more famous members of that superb pitching staff. "To begin with, I was lucky enough to have been associated with teams and contributed," McAndrew said, "But, the strength of the teams that I played on was always pitching." Jim was also with the 1973 National League Championship club before he was traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Steve Simpson on December 20, 1973.

I purchased this signed index card from the legendary autograph guy, Jack Smalling and converted it into Jim McAndrew's card in the set in January 2009. Jack's website is www.baseballaddresses.com

#124) ROD GASPAR

Rod Gaspar was selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the free agent draft on June 6, 1967. He would make his major league debut in the greatest of all Mets seasons on April 8, 1969 at Shea Stadium. Rod was a member of the 1969 World Champion Miracle Mets. His bold World Series prediction that the Mets would win four straight against the heavily favored Orioles was not well received in Baltimore. However he was very correct when the Mets rolled off four victories after dropping the opener. Gaspar even scored the winning run in Game 4 on J.C. Martin's famous bunt. Rod was traded by the Mets to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Ron Herbel on September 1, 1970.

After his professional baseball career he has operated a successful insurance company in California.

I purchased this signed index card from the legendary autograph guy, Jack Smalling and converted it into Rod Gaspar's card in the set in January 2009. Jack's website is www.baseballaddresses.com

#97) ED CHARLES

Ed Charles joined the New York Mets when he was traded by the Kansas City Athletics for Larry Elliot on May 10, 1967. He earned the nickname "The Glider" due to his graceful baserunning ability. Ed was a member of the 1969 World Champion Miracle Mets team. He scored the winning run in Game 2 of the World Series on an Al Weis single in the ninth inning. Charles retired from baseball after the magical 1969 season.

Charles began his professional baseball career by spending eight seasons in the Braves minor league system during the time that segregation still plagued the deep south. The Glider was also writing poetry concerning both baseball and racism then. A talent that continued even after earning his way to the major leagues. Following his active playing career, Charles worked as a promoter for Buddha Records.

Ed Charles signed his card in the set for me from an autograph request sent to his home on December 10, 2009.

#120) AL WEIS

Al Weis was traded from the Chicago White with Tommie Agee to the New York Mets in exchange for Jack Fisher, Tommy Davis, Billy Wynne and Dick Booker on December 15, 1967. Known as a "Super Sub" he rotated between three infield positions with the Mets. Al hit seven homeruns during the regular season in his entire career. It was his one fence clearing shot in the 1969 World Series that proved legendary. Weis likes to tell people, "I had an average career in the majors as a utility man. But I had two good weeks of baseball, and they came in the 1969 World Series." A defensive player not known for his bat, Al drove in the game-winning run when he delivered an RBI single in the ninth inning of the Game 2 victory. Then added to that by hitting a three-run homerun to tie Game 5 in the seventh inning. A game the Mets would then go on and win on the way to becoming the World Champion Miracle Mets. Al would finish his career in New York when he retired from the game on July 1, 1971.

Al Weis graciously honored my autograph request of his card in the set. Returning it from his home on November 24, 2008. "I still get fan mail, about 10 letters a week," Al says, " That makes me feel good- 40 years later."

#127) JACK DILAURO

Jack DiLauro was traded to the New York Mets from the Detroit Tigers for Hector Valle on December 4,1968. He made his major league debut at Shea Stadium for the Mets on May 15, 1969. Jack threw two scoreless innings in relief against the Atlanta Braves that day. He would finish the season with 23 appearances and a fine 2.40 ERA. DiLauro was a member of the 1969 Miracle Mets World Championship team, but did not pitch in the postseason. After the season he was selected by the Houston Astros in the Rule V Draft on December 1, 1969.

After their World Series victory the New York Mets players appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. Jack was known for his impersonation of the famous host and performed it on the show. "My wife got a VHS tape of that show about 15 years ago and that's something I will always cherish." DiLauro retired from baseball in 1972 and embarked on a 24 year career as the manager of Koenig's Sporting Goods store in Ohio.

Jack DiLauro signed his card in the set, adding an awesome World Champions inscription, from an autograph request sent to his home on January 7, 2009.

#308) DWIGHT GOODEN

Dwight Gooden was selected in the first round (5th overall) of the June 1982 free agent draft by the New York Mets. The hard throwing right-hander was voted as the Rookie of the Year in 1984. Then followed that with winning the National League Cy Young Award the next season in 1985. "Doc" was also a member of the 1986 World Championship team.

Dwight dominated with an 98 mph fastball and sweeping curveball that froze many a hitter. Gooden attracted a fan section at Shea Stadium that was dubbed the "K Korner" where they would hang up red letter "K"s for each of his strikeouts. He would fan 276 batters to set the rookie mark in 1984.

After Tom Seaver, he is easily the greatest Mets pitcher in Shea Stadium history. "Dr. K" along with Darryl Strawberry provided what should have been a foundation for years to come. Personal problems would derail both their careers. Gooden left the Mets when he signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees on February 20, 1996.

Doc was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 2010.

Dwight Gooden signed his card in the set for my friend Eddie during an appearance at the Steiner Collectibles Store in New York on October 20, 2009.