Read This Book
Let’s get down to brass tacks (and not of the Bronx type): for the past few months, the content on MetsToday has not been nearly as prolific as you remember. The reason for the relative lack of frequency in posts is simple: I started a new, full-time job that is taking most of my time. There is a significant learning curve as I get the lay of the land and figure out what the heck I’m supposed to be doing. This isn’t a complaint — I’m absolutely, positively thrilled to be working for Opici Wines (pardon the plug). And the good news is, I’m starting to “get it”, and will soon return to a more regular rhythm of posts here on MetsToday.
In the meantime, to sate your reading appetite, I highly suggest — no, demand — that you head on over to AmazinAvenueAnnual.com and download the 2010 edition. I have been grossly remiss in not pointing you toward the Annual before today — but in all honesty, I did not have the time to give it a look-see until now.
It is salaciously scandalous; refreshingly negative in tone, yet delivered with tongue planted firmly in cheek effusing biting humor that often spurs legitimate, doubled-over, laughing out loud (not to be confused with the ubiquitous “LOL” littered irresponsibly in billions of texts every minute of the day). But it’s also incredibly informative, chock full of stats and analyses that will impress the stathead … yet there are also numbers that are digestible by the old school crowd. And that’s a major point I’d like to communicate: contrary to what you may know of AmazinAvenue and the former “MetsGeek” staff, this is NOT a book expressly for Beaneheads. More correctly, it is a book for everyone.
Where else can you find a great Mets drinking game based on quips by Gary, Keith and Ron? Where else can you read an homage to Lindsay Nelson written by a kid who was born five years after Nelson’s last broadcast? Where else can you read in-depth about “CHONE” and it have nothing to do with a certain Mr. Figgins? Where else can you find a journalist like Eric Simon using words like “rejoinder”, “mordant”, “trenchant”, and “intransigent” — all in one paragraph? If nothing else, Simon’s diatribes are an entertaining alternative to the Reader’s Digest “It Pays To Enrich Your Word Power” exercises.
The bottom line is this: you should download this book (it’s FREE) and read it. Read it from front to back, backward, sideways, or just pick out some of the articles from the contents that tickle your fancy. I have absolute confidence that you will find SOMETHING worth reading in this tome — more likely, many things.
And to be clear, this review is completely, 100% sincere. I am receiving no kickbacks nor special favors from the AA team, and in fact none of them even asked me to write a review. The Amazin’ Annual is better — hands-down — than any other Mets-centric publication that you would have to pay for.
The only beef I have is that nowhere in the 340 pages of content, is MetsToday mentioned nor am I quoted. This wouldn’t be a big deal if Ted Berg hadn’t been quoted (and twice, no less!). I don’t care that Berg is one of the contributors of the book, and I don’t care that he is on the SNY staff — the guy’s website isn’t even a dot-com, it’s a “dot-net” for goodness sakes! How do you quote a dot-net wannabe blogging from his parents’ basement and not include a solitary quip from a legitimate website that happens to be one of the most abrasive and straightforward in the Mets blogosphere?
I’m kidding of course … but not kidding about the Amazin’ Annual. Go get it before they realize what they have there and start charging for it. Enjoy.
Gifts for Mets Fans: 2010 Alternate Jersey
The holiday shopping season is upon us, so I’ll be making recommendations here and there over the next few days — should be a nice break from the insanity of the hot stove rumors.
Note: the images and product links go to Amazon.com, and include a MetsToday code. So if you buy something there after clicking from here, you will be helping me pay the server bills (I get about 4% from any sales). This may encourage or discourage you from buying, depending on how you feel about the site 
.
We’ll kick things off with the new 2010 Mets “Alternate” home jersey — the cream-colored, pinstriped top that the Mets will be wearing occasionally in Citi Field next season. Though it’s new, the style is inspired by something old — namely, the uniforms worn by the Mets in the 1960s.
You or your giftee can be the first person on the block to wear one. I’m confident in saying this because few of these gems have been sold yet, despite being introduced before Thanksgiving. That doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with them — they look pretty cool, in my opinion. Rather, most people who are buying sports jerseys this time of year are opting for the kind that come with shoulder pads underneath.
A fine gift for the Mets fan in your life. Alternatively (pardon the pun), you can beat the spring rush and buy one for yourself as well.
The “replica” jersey goes for $78.60
Both are made by Majestic.
Father’s Day Gifts
Father’s day is ten days away … what did you get for your dad?
If your dad is a backyard chef or a bookworm, then you may want to check out the new and improved Mets Today Store – Beta, where I’ve just added a short selection of Mets-inspired grilling gifts and books. More father-specific gifts will be added tomorrow and through the weekend.
Additionally, you can still browse the old but expansive version of the MetsToday Store for ideas.
Should you buy through either of the stores, a portion of the proceeds will go toward keeping this blog alive. Anything leftover after website expenses is donated to various local animal shelters.
Three Mets Books
This week’s heat wave has me thinking about the beach, where I tend to do a lot of reading. Here are three Mets books worth considering for your beach reading this spring / summer.
From my blogging friend Greg Prince is Faith and Fear in Flushing: An Intense Personal History of the New York Mets
From Keith Hernandez, Shea Good Bye: The Untold Inside Story of the Historic 2008 Season
From Ron Darling, The Complete Game: Reflections on Baseball, Pitching, and Life on the Mound
Nothing yet from Gary Cohen … or Kevin Burkhardt, for that matter.
Speaking of books, one last item, which is not Mets-specific, but is pretty cool nonetheless: the Amazon Kindle
Murphy’s Law T-Shirts
Finally, a T-shirt to show your support of Mets phenom Daniel Murphy!
These shirts come in several styles, in all sizes, and made from comfortable, breathable, 100% cotton. A portion of the proceeds goes toward the MetsToday server costs, the rest is swallowed by the production and delivery.
Be the first on your block to own a first-edition “Murphy’s Law” tee — order today!
Mets Summer Items
With the first day of summer upon us, and a day without a game, I invite you to check out a page full of Mets-themed summer items I found on eBay. If you place bids and/or buy anything after clicking on any of the items, you’ll also be sending a few cents toward the server fees and coffee expenses that keep MetsToday running.
Mets Summer and Tailgate Items
Keith: Pure Baseball
After reading over that Keith Hernandez had given a class on baseball (hat tip to MetsBlog) at Cornell Adult University in Port St. Lucie (Ivy League in FL … who knew?), I vaguely remembered that Keith had written a book on baseball a while back.
Here it is — Pure Baseball
I have to admit, however, that I haven’t read this book yet but intend to soon. From what I understand, there is a part in the book where Keith recommends that when watching a game on TV, you mute the volume because most announcers will distract you with pointless comments (this book was written almost 15 years ago, before Keith went into the booth, ironically).
Ultimate Mets Gifts
Hopefully you have the sense to stay away from the shopping malls today, aka “Black Friday”. It’s a lot easier to sit home, eat cold turkey and stuffing sandwiches, and do your shopping online — dontcha think?
For the Mets fan in your life (or yourself), there are plenty of gifts available right here through the MetsToday Store. I personally hand-picked every one of the items in the store, and will continue to add the most bizarre, interesting, and must-have items for Mets fans big and small.
Today there are two new categories: Mets DVDs and Electronics. Yeah, who knew there were “Mets electronics”, but there are. If you don’t already have a Mets mousepad, well I’m not sure what you’re waiting for. And while you’re at it, get a Mets mouse — pretty cool IMHO. And if you are like me and constantly trying to figure out what channel the Mets game is on — is it SNY, WB, FOX, or somewhere else? — then you might like the Mets schedule watch, which tells you both the Mets schedule and which channel to watch to see the game (yes, it tells time, too).
Browse around the Mets Store for holiday gifts — it’s a lot more fun than fighting for a parking space at the local mall.
Postseason Gear
The chilly weather of this past weekend was a reminder of how cold it can get in the New York City area in the fall. Since we’re assuming our beloved Mets will be competing come October, it’s time to start choosing cold-weather gear to wear to Shea during the playoffs.
Even if you don’t have postseason tickets, no doubt you’ll be heading out to bars and friends’ places in the brisk autumn weather — and you certainly don’t want to be mistaken for a Yankee fan!
So check out the MetsToday Store for the recently added “Cold-weather Gear” section, where I hand-picked Mets jackets, knit hats, gloves, sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts, mock turtlenecks, blankets, coffee thermoses, and every other item I could find to keep warm during the postseason. There are about ten pages to browse through, with items at all different price points, so you’re likely to find something worth ordering. Be sure to order today so you can get your gear in time for the NLDS.
Mets Lunch Box
With the kids going back to school, I found a few cool lunch boxes with the Mets logo. Just go to the Mets Store (link is on the top of the page) and click on Lunch Boxes.
If you’re the type who does the tailgate thing, or simply want to announce your fandom at a Labor Day barbecue, there is also a selection of Mets coolers in that section. Two in particular you have to at least check out — one is a rolling cooler that holds a case of beer (or other canned beverages), and the other is an inflatable floating Mets cooler for the pool. Talk about something for the Mets fan who has everything! Now you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your raft to get a cool drink while floating around the pool — this thing looks kind of like a floating tophat, has 32 quarts of space for cans, bottles, and food, and even includes cup holders around the rim. Nuts!
As I find more fun Mets stuff I’ll post it. I’m starting to look for cool weather gear in anticipation of October games. If you see any unusual or favorite Mets items — anything at all — drop me an email and I’ll add it to the store.
Mets Gifts
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