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ABOUT US
Faith and Fear in Flushing made its debut on Feb. 16, 2005, the brainchild of two longtime friends and lifelong Met fans.
Greg Prince discovered the Mets when he was 6, during the magical summer of 1969. He is a Long Island-based writer, editor and communications consultant. Contact him here.
Jason Fry is a Brooklyn writer whose first memories include his mom leaping up and down cheering for Rusty Staub. Check out his other writing here.
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Oh, The Mel With It
by Greg Prince on 31 December 2013 11:03 am When I turned 41
It seemed a very good year
To say I was “Seaver”
When I turned 45
It seemed a very good year
To’ve been a lifetime Believer
When I turned 47
It seemed a very good year
To be an upward glove-heaver
Today I turn 51
Is it a very good year?
Or a take-it-or-leaver?
51 they give coaches — none who’s fixed Ike
51 they gave Maddux — untalented Mike
51 they gave Rick — you don’t remember Rick White?
It was once worn by One Dog (that might ring a bell)
Then landed on Rojas (whose saves went to hell)
And it means I’ve passed 50 (well, isn’t that swell?)
It’s only a number
It’s only an age
Perhaps I’ve found wisdom
That will make me sound sage
So I will try my hand
At some coachly advice:
Never bring in Mel Rojas
Don’t even think twice
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Happy Birthday buddy! And may the next 51 have many more Met visits to the Canyon of Heroes than the first 51.
Thank you, kind sir. And may we have fewer 51s filling the Mets’ roster in ’14.
The only retired #51 in all of MLB is Trevor Hoffman.
NBA and NHL got nuthin, but Da Bears give you Da Butkus, which I guess is better than Da Bupkus.
Have a happy, anyway- and next year we’ll deal a whole deck to ya:)
Gotta believe Randy Johnson and/or Ichiro will join Hoffman on the West Coast. Bernie Williams’s version seems to be in Mays-like reserve as well at that place where they’re usually not so choosy about what they retire. Thank you for the research and good thoughts.
Yeah, once upon a time it’s “hey, Wayne Garrett wears #11 and I’m 11!” Then before you know it, it’s members of the coaching staff, and sooner or later, it’s guys in spring training who aren’t making the team. But it’s just a number, so enjoy (although I think 3 is not a good number for a power-hitting OF’er, Grandy, but yeah, it’s just a number).
No. 3 worked OK for a previous former NYY RFer with power. Let’s just hope Granderson doesn’t come to the National League and turn into a latter-day Boston Brave Babe Ruth.
(Of course my reflex example is Carl Everett, much more famous than that Ruth fellow.)
Greg,
Happy birthday! I remember feeling similarly that the my age was past the usual numbers given to players. But they are indeed just numbers. It is what you do and how that relates to other people is what matters. I’d say you do rather well. Enjoy your birthday and best wishes for a happy new year. Lets Go Mets in 2014!
That’s Amazin’ly nice of you to say, Ed. Thank you. Happy new year now and on March 31.
Greg–Happy Birthday to a great Mets writer and irreplaceable Mets savant!
Thank you Michael, and now I’m gonna go drive slow on the driveway.
In honor of your birthday, today our AAA affiliate will be known as the “Las Vegas Princes.” Happy 51st!
I’ll take it! Thank you.
Happy Birthday Greg.
In addition to wishing the best of everything on the day you were born, I also wanted to tell you that you are the most enjoyable and entertaining writer on the subject of the Metropolitans. I’ve been reading about the Mets since I was 9 in 1962, and nobody has ever done it better, with more humor and love. While it isn’t the same as watching a ballgame, I love the reading season from November through February… a chance to get reacquainted with old friends, or hear some new stories and viewpoints.
May God bless you throughout the upcoming year.
Best wishes,
Tom
Thanks so much, Tom. That’s a big LGM right there.
Just wait until you’re 99.
/slams rosin bag, or attempts to at said advanced age.
….And jump over the foul line. Those are tricky..I pulled a calf muscle trying to do that. As one who was born the same year as the Amazin’s, here’s to the “Over 50” club….
as my mom greeted me, “welcome to my side of the century.”
Happy Birthday Greg. Later this year, I’ll get the number worn by Santana (the pitcher, not the shortstop), so there’s something to look forward to. Many more healthy years to you watching and writing about our Mets.
Thank you very much. May your Johan year be the moral equivalent of the best of 2008 and 2012.
I think I saw Rojas’ first Met appearance at Shea. The ball Bagwell hit off him may have landed by now.
Happy Birthday.
Let me check with NASA to confirm if it ever came down. Thanks for the good wishes.
August 9, 1997. I was indeed there. I’d never seen a ball leave Shea that quickly before.
Belated Happy Birthday , Greg ! 51 , huh? BTW, do u know , Jonathan “52” Weissman ?? (don’t recall what the 52 is for !)
Thanks Jack. I do recall WEISSMAN 52 sightings throughout the 1999 season. Never met the guy.
Belated Happy Birthday, Greg! I’ll be right behind you age-wise in about a week. My favorite quote from a former #51 might be from the late Vern Hoscheit, who is credited with, “Be on the bus or be under it!” (In a raised voice, it works well in getting the kiddoes into the minivan pronto!)
Advance “happys” to you, Will. May 51 be more Big Unit than Blanking Rojas for both of us.