Reversal of Misfortune...A Mets Dynasty

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The Mets threw their first log in the hot stove at the Winter Meetings, dealing 1B Jim Marshall to Washington Senators for RHP Dave Stenhouse. It won't move the needle in the tabloids but we needed to improve rotation and this does so...marginally.

Fans weren't happy with our second move, shipping RHP Jay Hook to Pittsburgh to get LHP Bob Veale to strengthen our bullpen.

Not a lot of alluring talent on the roster to draw outside interest. We will look to get Paul Blair and Ed Kranepool stitched into the fabric in '63 but, for now, we will head toward the draft with our eye on Joe Morgan, a franchise changer.

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The Mets sadly won't be landing Joe Morgan...unless there is an unforeseen miracle. We have the 4th pick in the draft. My bad. I must have misread something earlier, thus thinking we had the No. 1 selection. I knew that seemed weird since we didn't have the worst record.

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The New York Mets selected 17-year-old high school SS Reggie Smith. Our scout on Reggie reveals potential for a quality MLB bat that can hit with power and for average. Could be a fixture in Shea Stadium for years to come.

Welcome to New York, Reggie! Maybe he'll get a candy bar named after him someday

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Another SS, this one is scrappy, can bunt and has solid fundies. We see him more as a defensive asset where our 1st rounder, Reggie Smith, has the type of power that might play better as a corner outfielder.

Welcome to New York, Buddy! Got a strange feeling this dude may someday have a dust up behind 2nd base with Pete Rose in a playoff game. Hope my inkling is correct!

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RHP Dick Selma

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1B Ed Bouchee. Guy was not happy with his lack of playing time in '62, but truth was, the way Gil Hodges hit, there was no chance for him to sniff first base.

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Promising middle infielder Tommy Helms.

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The Mets have DFAd 1B Ed Bouchee, OF Gus Bell and OF Bobby Gene Smith. All three cleared waivers.

Bouchee & Bell were released. Smith was sent down to Single A Quincy.

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Just doing some preliminary scouting on the '63 Mets...

Excited about the defense we'll get from Paul Blair and Tommy Helms. These guys could be in Flushing for awhile.

Reggie Smith is going to give the Mets some power, consistent average and run production. Although listed at SS, we will groom him to be our CF of the future.

Spitting ball ideas for how we will look defensively...

LF Thomas/Christopher
CF Ashburn/Smith/Christoper
RF Blair/Christopher

1B Kranepool/Hodges
2B Mantilla/Helms
SS Chacon/Helms
3B Hickman/Neal
C Landrith/Chiti

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Here is the Opening Day roster for the 1963 New York Mets...

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Mets have sent RP Larry Foss to Triple A Buffalo to get final roster down to 25.

A look at our projected lineup...


And, our projected rotation...

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Mets have a claim in on RP Jim Brewer. Oddly, the Detroit Tigers placed 1962 AL Fireman of the Year Terry Fox on waivers, but our bid on him was rejected.

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Primary objective from ownership is to play .500. Lets keep in mind, the Mets went 51-111 IRL. That's some heavy lifting.

My realistic goal is to simply improve on our 69-93 performance in our maiden voyage.

I think the roster has been upgraded and we will put some blind faith in the youthful injection of Paul Blair and Ed Kranepool. Pitching may be our biggest concern and we'll keep a close eye on the waiver/free agent pool to see if anyone draws our attention.

We will also monitor our top draft pick, Reggie Smith, to see if we can slide him up to the big club at some point during the season. That might be a bit of a reach.

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For the second season in a row, the Mets open against the St. Louis Cardinals...and begin what has become a theme IRL.

Rookie Ed Kranepool singles to open the bottom of the 10th, Charlie Neal drops the perfect sact bunt and Hobie Landrith delivers the walk-off RBI single that lifts the Amazins to a 3-2 win and their second Opening Day triumph in a row.

Veterans Richie Ashburn and Frank Thomas stroked back-to-back RBI singles in the 8th that tied the contest at 2-2.

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Actually played the season opener and had very frustrating video issues that I've yet to experience.

Once I clicked an in-game action, ie. Pitcher to Batter or Swing Away, the details box would go completely empty and the video was delayed and only came up after the actual play was over. And, there was no recap of what happened on the play in the detail box. It simply reset to the actions screens.

I have animation setting on slightly slow but any further help to correct the glitch, that like I said, never happened before, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all and thank you for checking out my posts during this dynasty play. Hope you're enjoy it.

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Relief pitcher Jim Brewer off waivers. He's been added to the 40-man and will join the Mets immediately.

Ray Daviault was demoted to Triple A Buffalo.

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Mets end the month of April saddled with a 6-14 mark and sit in 9th place in the NL. We endured a painful nine-game losing streak in which four games were decided by a run.


One cool development: Paul Blair was named the NL Rookie of the Month. Nice recognition for a guy who is seeing limited action, waiting for Richie Ashburn to announce his retirement and exhibiting great instincts on the bases with 10 steals. Defense has been a struggle. Blair has four errors and just one OF assist but that's kind of to be expected from a dude who is only 19. We are more than pleased with his work thus far.


However, why would Ashburn do such a thing? A look at our team stats leaders...

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Mets walk into June 15 games back of the NL-leading San Francisco Giants and own the third-worst record in baseball


We rank dead last in practically every pitching category amongst NL squads and an our offensive isn't much better.


2B Elio Chacon will miss the next week while dealing with kidney stones. He will be replaced in the lineup by Tommy Helms, who has been quite reliable off the bench, delivering seven consecutive pinch hits.

Mets went 2-8 on their west coast road trip, taking 2 of 3 off Houston before losing eight in a row to the mighty Giants and Dodgers.

Here is a look at how our top three prospects are doing....

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C Hobie Landrith and call up C Chris Cannizzaro