Mets Baseball Card of the Day: 1987 Gary Carter

From here to Opening Day, we'll present you with a Mets "Baseball Card of the Day" commemorating some great Mets of the past.

Today's entry is the wonderful 1987 Gary Carter--I just love cards with action photos, and this one is particularly poignant as it depicts Carter in his trademark lean forward follow through...if one had to guess, it looks like Carter just drilled a fastball to the gap.

Carter had something of an off-year in 1987 after driving in 100 or more runs the previous three seasons, but he was still a great player, albeit one that was certainly on the decline.

Keith Hernandez gets a ton of credit for the great mid-80s Met teams, but I always felt that the addition of Hall of Famer Gary Carter is what really put the Mets at the top of the baseball world.

Help Former Met Ed Hearn Fight Kidney Disease

This is a very easy cause to get behind, and it's easy to do by using your Facebook account and voting at Nephcure.

Ed Hearn is a terrific guy and played an important role caddying for Gary Carter on the 1986 championship team, including starting a lot of key games when Carter got hurt.

He's had three kidney transplants and is a true inspiration and leader as a motivational speaker and author.

More can be seen in the video below, on Ed Hearn's website, and on this website, Nephcure.

Mad Scientists Create Santos

After some thorough research we've discovered where Omir Santos came from.

Apparently, he is the result of a cloning experiment first envisioned by Frank Cashen, implemented by Bobby Valentine, then tweaked by Rick Peterson, and finally perfected by none other than Tom Seaver, whose "vineyards" are actually an ultra-classified breeding ground that the Hall of Famer has been running for over a decade.

First, they took some DNA from Paul LoDuca and Carlos Beltran, then combined them. After the embryo was successfully developed, Gary Carter and Keith Hernandez began teaching Santos how to play like a Met.

The results, to date, have been stunning.

Santos has a compact swing, solid catching skills, the perfect blend of fire and cool and looks equally like his "Dads".

Seaver is currently working on a lefthanded starting pitcher.

Omir Santos 2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Season	16	40	8	12	3	1	1	8	1	9	0	0	.300	.310	.500	.810
Career	26	46	7	11	3	1	1	6	1	9	0	0	.239	.250	.413	.663
Last 7	7	11	2	3	2	0	0	2	1	2	0	0	.273	.308	.455	.762
Projected	148	370	74	111	28	9	9	74	9	83	0	0	.300	.310	.500	.810

The Mets Mount Rushmore

Who would you choose for the "Mets Mount Rushmore"?

Who are those four all-time greats that truly represent the team, the fans, the greatness that is NY Mets baseball, and who epitomize all things Mets?

It's not an easy choice is it?

You have greats like Dwight Gooden, Jerry Koosman, Ed Kranepool, Tug McGraw, Mookie Wilson, maybe Strawberry too....but you know they just don't belong on the Mets Mount Rushmore.

You think harder and decide against Gary Carter and John Franco. Al Leiter comes to mind along with Jon Matlack, but they don't quite make the cut either.

Then you think about Mike Piazza--surely he belongs...but, but, but...he does not just quite fit up there.

Then you look at Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran...two of the very best to ever wear the uniform...but again, not quite right.

So in the end you come up with four...you kind of knew along along who they would be, you even tried to talk yourself out of one or two of them.

But you knew...we all knew.

The Mets Mount Rushmore



EDIT: A lot of folks are clamoring for Piazza....look, I love the guy, but his last 3 years with the team were not very good, and he never won a ring.

If there was a 5th person on Mount Rushmore, Mike Piazza would be there.

Gary Carter Aplogizes to Keith Hernandez....Sort of.

Well, here's Gary Carter commenting on what Keith Hernandez had to say about Gary being "unconscious" on the Mike and Mike show.

Willie Randolph's Day of Reckoning

Today is the day when Willie Randolph might get fired, or he could get a mini-lease on his managing life.

Willie is a good guy and, despite the protestations of many, a good manager. But he doesn't appear to be the right manager for these Mets, and that has been obvious since the season began.

Call it lack of faith, call it lack of chemistry, call it lack of motivation, call it fear of failure. The 2008 Mets are struggling to keep their collective heads above water, and like adding a catalyst to a chemical mixture, a change at the helm will cause a reaction.

Remember when Buddy Harrelson took over for Davey Johnson? The Mets went on a tear and nearly made the playoffs. That's what the Wilpon's want...someone who can come in and salvage this season.

Which Players will benefit? Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and the bench.

Which players will this hurt? Luis Castillo and Carlos Delgado.

So who will it be? Jerry Manuel? Gary Carter? (we kid) Ken Oberkfell? Wally Backman? Lee Mazilli?

If I were king for a day it would be Backman....yes the Wally Backman with the personal baggage.

You know what? The guy is exactly what this club needs right now--a kick in the pants. A fiery attitude that stands in polar opposition to Willie Randolph's even keel demeanor.

Could it happen? Sure. Will it? Doubtful. Looks like Jerry Manuel is going to be the guy, and that might not change much of anything.