RICH MACLEOD: the blog

Why the Mets Have to Retire #8

Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter passed away early yesterday evening after a valiant battle with brain cancer at the age of 57. In Decemeber of 1984 the New York Mets made the blockbuster trade to acquire arguably the best catcher of the decade which was the cog that was the final piece of an eventual championship team in 1986.

The only player number retired by the Mets is #41, Tom “The Franchise” Seaver’s number. I know that people have clamored for players like Keith Hernandez and Mike Piazza’s numbers to be retired and perhaps they will be in due time but I believe that the number this team should retired is #8. Gary spent just 5 seasons in New York and while his numbers dipped towards the end of his career, I believe it’s not all about statistics. Carter was great in his first two seasons and his “never say die” mentality not only inspired others but was on full display when down two runs, with two outs in the 10th inning facing elimination Gary singled to left field which led to the infamous “gets through Buckner” moment and a championship for New York. Gary Carter’s presence on the field and in the clubhouse led to a championship, some great thrills and changed the face of the franchise. That, in my opinion, is more than enough reason to retire Gary Carter’s number.

The Mets won the World Series 4 years before I was even born and I feel very strongly about this, so I’m sure that the Mets fans who have been around longer than me feel the same way if not stronger. This man was a hero and a role model to all and was the kind of person that I can only hope that my one day future children would resemble. The Mets play at home on Opening Day this season and I can think of no way to honor Gary Carter better than to have everyone on the Mets to wear #8 that day and retire the number following the game.

I’m not sure who, if anyone, will read this but I can only hope that the Wilpons, Sandy Alderson or anyone else in management will realize what I have and retire #8.

Happy New Year?

As you all know, I live for sports. I’m not a fan of the greatest teams but they usually do pretty well and no matter how much I complain at my TV about them, I’m still a fan.

This month, however, has just not been fun. It’s felt like awhile since I’ve actually really enjoyed watching sports because of my teams losing and teams I dislike winning. Tonight I discovered the following results.

Since January 1, 2012…

• The Jets went 0-1 and were eliminated from playoff contention.
• The Knicks have gone 4-8, including losses to 5 teams under .500.
• The UConn Huskies Men’s Basketball Team has gone 2-4, all 4 losses are to unranked teams.
• The Patriots have gone 3-0 and clinched a Super Bowl berth.
• The Giants have gone 4-0 and clinched a Super Bowl berth.
• The Syracuse Orange Men’s Basketball team have gone 6-1 and are ranked #1 in the country.
• And finally, while I’ll always be excited about them, I’m not too sure about the Mets this season.

So yeah, in terms of sports, it hasn’t been that happy of a new year. But things change, team’s get hot, so I’ll wait it out, as always, and keep watching, cheering and, most likely, complaining.

Remembering “The Catch”

On the morning of Game 1 of the 2011 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals I’m taking a look back.  Five years ago today, October 19, 2006, the St. Louis Cardinals played the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series.  We all know the end result, as the Cardinals would win 3-1 because of a Yadier Molina homerun against Aaron Heilman and an Adam Wainwright curveball that still gives fellow Mets fans nightmares.  But this is also a remembrance of one of the greatest catches, if not the greatest, in postseason history.  Us Mets fans will never forget when Endy Chavez took away Scott Rolen’s what-would-have-been go-ahead 2-run homerun and kept the game tied at 1 in the 6th inning.  On the national scale, this play is widely forgotten 5 years after the fact because of the final result but if you’re looking back at Game 7 today or any other day don’t remember the homerun, don’t remember the strikeout, remember The Catch.