Say it with me: Brian Ostrosser!

Who? I was completely baffled by this name too, so don't feel bad. Recently, I was having a conversation about favorite baseball players with some friends, and his name came up. Who is Brian Ostrosser? He was my cousin's favorite player, for about 8 days, because that's how long his career lasted.

How did Mr. Ostrosser (that's a fun name to say) fare in his 8 days on the Mets? If you said "terribly", then you win the grand prize of, um, I'll get back to you on that. In just 5 a-bats, he went hitless and struck out twice. The following season, he was traded to Cleveland, never to be heard from again. Poor guy...

At least he was on the team! Read More...

Okay, so this off-season isn't shaping up to what most of us expected. The Mets suffered a terrible collapse, and they've done nothing significant since then. They traded away Lastings Milledge, lost Glavine (and I don't care if he blew the last game of '07, I wanted him back), and upgraded what, exactly?

Don't fear, Mets fans. The Mets have had some pretty mind-boggling off-seasons in the past. Why don't we glance back at a few of Flushing's past off-season blunders, shall we?

December 15th, 1990 - Mets trade Bobby Ojeda and Greg Hansell to the Dodgers for Hubie Brooks.

Before you say "But it's Hubie Brooks! He was killer with the Mets in the early 80's!", realize what you might have just said. You'd be 100% right. He was pretty good... in the 80's! He ended up being traded back to the west coast the following season anyway.

March 29, 1985 - Mets trade Frank Wills to the Mariners for Wray Bergendahl.

Who to the Mariners for what, P'Wray tell!?

Dec. 27, 2001 - Mets trade Kevin Appier to the Angels for Mo Vaughn.

Believe me... I was not jumping for joy about this one, even though losing Appier wasn't such a bad thing. Through all the bad times with Mo, I did witness a few scoreboard-crushing home runs. Good times... good times...

So you see, the off-season might not always be so 'fruitful'. Hopefully, Minaya will make a move before my hair goes grey. If not, we'll all stick together and pray some youngsters step up and fill in the holes.
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How else can I describe my feelings towards today's memory? Why would I remember such a person? Why did the Mets out any kind of trust into this guy's arm? Who in the world could I be so bitter about? Why am I asking so many questions? Today's memory is none other than... (wait for it)
Mel Rojas! *crack of lightning*

Yes, Mel Rojas. Everyone remembers Mel, right? 54 earned runs and 36 walks in just over 84 innings to give him a 5.76 ERA. Yep, he was some talented pitcher! Or am I just being sarcastic...

Where in the world has Mel been since his Mets days? Anyone have a clue?

Next Monday: The Offseason Blues Read More...

It's your turn to sound off, Mets fans! Tell the Global Mets community what you think of the players, teams, and games that will forever make up our Monday Memories. As you can see by the post's title and the photo at the right, today's lucky memory is David Cone.

Were you around for his first stint with the Mets? How about his second stint? Love him? Hate him? We all want to know. Sound off!

Next Monday: Mota? Try Rojas! Read More...

He was, simply put, Le Grande Orange. Down in Queens, he was Rusty. But don't let that name fool you. He was hardly "Rusty" at all. In his 9 years as a Met, he was quite a productive player, knocking in 399 runs and scoring 296 of his own.

His real time to shine came in 1973, of course. While not playing his best in the NLCS against the Reds, he opened up a can of "whoop ass" in the World Series against those pesky Oakland Athletics with a .423 average. But while I didn't even exist when Rusty was playing, I know from previous generations that he was among the highest of fan favorites. So here's to you, Rusty! You're one cool Grande Orange!

Next Monday: Rise of the Coneheads Read More...

I wish I had a lot to say about today's Monday Memory, but I'm honestly not sure what to say. He had an 'okay' career (stats-wise) in his three years with New York. He had absolutely horrid numbers in the 1986 NLCS against those pesky Astros. He did, however, redeem himself in the World Series by putting Boston away in Game 7 with an exhilarating home run off of Calvin Schiraldi.

Wait a second, I know why I didn't have much to say about today's memory...

After the 1986 season, he signed on with an Orioles club that ended up finishing 6th in the AL East with a 67-95 record. Why? Because HoJo won the 3rd Base job, and the Orioles offered him about $50,000 more than the Mets offered him. Now, he's a co-host for Nats Xtra, the post-game show for the team that's currently dashing the hopes and dreams of the Mets and their fans! Oh yeah, and he didn't show up to last year's 1986 Celebration at Shea because of a "previous engagement". Was that really the reason? Were you annoyed because the Mets "snubbed" you by picking HoJo over you? You were the World Series MVP! At least stop by for a moment!

Boo Ray Knight! I was exhilarated for a split second when you knocked that ball our of Shea in Game 7. But that was it. When you decided not to show up to the 1986 celebration, no matter what the reason, I boo'd in your honor.

Next Monday: Le Grand Orange
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Did anybody like you? I sure didn't. Being the youngster that I was, I could never keep up with the fast-paced, yet slow and seemingly horrific Mets tenure of Bobby Bonilla. Can somebody tell me why I just couldn't stand this guy? He was clutch at the plate. He was a crazy good fielder. He was a clubhouse favorite. He was hardly ever in the media spotlight, unless he had a great game. Right?

Wait a tick, That's the not the Bobby Bonilla I remembered. This Bobby Bonilla threatened Bob Klapisch he would "Show him the Bronx" because he didn't like what Bob wrote about him in a book. It's the same Bobby Bonilla that called the Press Box during a game to complain about an error that he was deservingly charged with.

Feel honored, Bobby. You're a Monday Memory. But that's all you'll ever be to me... just a memory. You probably should've stayed in Pittsburgh with Andy. (Van Slyke, for those who were confused about the Andy reference).

Next Monday: A Queens Knight
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He was the Golden Child of the Bobby Valentine era. He was big... bad... big... and big. Did I mention he had a cool last name? His first name was often linked to an Elton John classic. Remember his interesting batting stance? (More specifically, the crazy leg movement before he swung his bat)

Okay, that should've given him away by now... No? *sigh*...
Maybe a 'tiny' visual will help.



Of course, I'm talking about none of other than B-B-B-Benny Agbayani! I don't really have much to say about you, but you could do no wrong in the eyes of Bobby. Long Live Benny!

Next Monday: The Bonilla Blues
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His managerial tenure with the Mets started rocky and ended with an appearance in the Fall Classic against that 'other' New York team.

We all loved him.
We all hated him.
We all laughed at him.
We all embraced him.

I can't think of much to say about Bobby, but only that he made me smile. Even through the worst of times, his antics in the dugout (and on the field) made it all worth while. So here's to you, Professor of "The Dugout Mustache 101". I'll certainly never forget the tough times, the good times, and the comedic genious that went along with it all.

Next Monday: Big Bad Benny
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He was the 'on-the-field catalyst' of the Mets from 1996 to 2002. The number might not sound too impressive, but generating 22,711 Outs in 7 years seems like a nice high number. Did I mention he was an amazing fielder? (Despite all of his insane-looking errors). Okay, so I lied about that part. What really made him unique, was his need to become Superman. Between the diving, jumping, and lunging, nobody knew if this guy was serious!

In the batters box... Actually, you know what? We'll just skip that part of the story.

If you haven't guessed it by now, I'm talking about the Shortstop rockstar of the "Pre-Reyes" years. It's the on-and-off decent fielder who we all wished could swing a bat. It's none other than Rey Ordonez!


So here's to you, Rey. Your cocky, yet flashy work in the field made our eyes light up like little school girls while our hearts sunk into our stomachs whenever you stepped to the plate. Angst never had a better friend then you, Rey, and for that I salute you!

Next Monday: My Pal Bobby Read More...

And you thought Shawn Green's cap was legendary...

You don't know anything about legendary Mets caps until you've been acquainted with the cap of one of the slowest base-runners I've ever seen: Sir Helmet Head. Fortunately for him, his lack of speed was the only downfall of his game. He was a superb first-baseman. He was also hit machine, knocking around 524 hits and being hit 28 times over the course of his 3 years with New York.

If there was any other name I could think for this man, aside from Sir Helmet Head, it would be "Sir Hit-met Head" (silly, I know, but catchy, no?).

Here's to you, John Olerud! I could be a jackass and call you "The Man without a Forehead", but that wouldn't do your Mets Career any kind of justice. You'll always be known as Sir Helmet Head to me. Your legendary batting helmet shall live on forever.


Next Monday: Reyes? No. Rey! Read More...

I don't know about the rest of Mets Nation, but I loved this guy. Acquiring Eddie was the first time I had a *Piazza* feeling. You know that feeling. Remember when the Mike Piazza deal was announced and you all jumped out of your chairs and did a silly dance? Was I the only one? Hmm...

Anyway, Eddie was that future Hall-of-Fame'er that the Mets always seem to acquire, before they leave to retire with another club. I guess you could say New York is a Hall-of-Fame pit stop, huh?

.331 AVG
318 Hits
43 Home Runs
193 RBI

In just 2 seasons, those are some pretty outstanding offensive numbers for his time with New York. Alas, his best playing days came with the Orioles, but that's no reason to forget his impact in 1993 (aka: one of the many years we'd all like to forget!).

So here's to you, Eddie Murray! I raise my glass in remembrance of the two great years you gave to the Mets.

Next Monday: Sir Helmet Head Read More...

One was to be the Puls of New York. One was to be the Wil of the Mets. One was destined to bring down the Haus. Together, they were Generation K.

Who was Generation K? As youngsters, these chosen three were said to have been the next generation of phenom pitchers, destined to bring the Mets back to the glory of October. But if you all know what happened to the chosen three, then there isn't much explaining to do.

I'm not here to look down on the chosen three, nor am I here to make light of their downfall with the Mets. I'm only here to remember... Remember what, you say? The joy and hope that those three names brought to our hearts, well before their Mets demise.

Here's to you Bill, Paul, and Jason. If only for a second, you brought a ray of hope to Queens! Unlike this future Mets pitcher... (You'll want to watch the whole video to understand)

Next Monday: Eddie! Eddie! Eddie! Read More...

Today's Monday Memory is a short one, but not in spirit. It's a celebration of a team that was so rowdy, so wild, but so New York for its time. They were celebrated at Shea last season with a massive ceremony, but now they'll be properly celebrated here on the Global Blog.

Fans and friends, lets celebrate!

Next Monday: Generation K Read More...

Who? The Stan? If you were a die-hard fan of the 1986 squad, then you know who The Stan is. It's non other than the great Stanley Jefferson!

"But Josh, he wasn't 'great'. In fact, he was just short-lived Stan"

Okay, fine, but why not celebrate this man's accomplishments in the big apple?

I might have only been 4 years old, but I've since seen the images of Stanley's efforts during his brief stint with the Mets. The former 1st Round Draft Pick out of Bethune-Cookman College had himself a nice run with the Amazins, but not on the Big League club. His offensive tirade came in the Minors, primarily with the Jackson Mets and the Tidewater Tides (now the Norfolk Tides who are no longer their farm club, which is 150% lame!). The young speedster stole 39 bases in a full season at Jackson, and 25 bases in a short year with Tidewater between going from the big club and Virginia.

Unfortunately for Stanley, his season with the Mets was an uneventful one (starting only 5 games, and putting up a .208 batting average in 24 plate appearances) and was eventually packaged and sent to San Deigo with Kevin Mitchell and crew, in exchange for Kevin McReynolds and his crew.

But the real memory of Stanley Jefferson comes years after his playing career, right here in the big apple. Good ol' Stan is a New York City Police Officer, helping in the rescue efforts at Ground Zero (which are still going on. Unbelievable...). For that alone, he deserves a world of recognition, for serving, protecting, and volunteering. Here's to you, Stanley Jefferson! You'll always be one of my all-time favorite New York Mets.

Next Monday's Memories: The Doctor is in Read More...

It was the Monday I had marked down on my calendar since Spring Training. June 25, 2007 stuck out like a sore thumb. It was time for revenge... It was time for the redbirds to get what was coming to them.

I'm not going to waste my time with a flashback to October of 2006. We don't need to feel that pain any more. It's a feeling us Mets fans are far too familiar with. The only thing that matters, is what happened on that June evening, in front of 40,075 people at Shea, and an entire city tuned into ESPN. Sure enough, the redbirds brought their "A" game, with newly-acquired Mike Maroth on the mound to battle Jorge Sosa.. and for 10 and a half innings, it looked like we were in for a long night, until finally:

Even in simulation, that Home Run is still majestic.

Next Monday: We flash back to a time I like to call, The Oroscozoic Era. Read More...