Sweet ride…

Gary Carter’s Harley is to be put up for auction to benefit the Autism Project of Palm Beach County.  Here are the details:

The Harley Davidson motorcycle owned by the Mets late, great Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter will go on the auction block to benefit charity on the Steiner Sports ”Perfect 25^th Anniversary Auction,” it was announced today.

Carter’s charity work lives on…

The on-line auction at www.steinersports.com, which also includes Don Larsen’s Perfect Game uniform and Bob Knight’s NCAA championship rings, continues through December 5.

Carter’s widow Sandy had donated the sleek, black bike to the Autism Project of Palm Beach County (APPBC), which will receive all the proceeds.

The charity’s mission is to raise money to support two specialized charter schools in Palm Beach County.  C.J., the Carters’ grandson, attends Renaissance Learning Center, one of the charter schools. (RLC) serves children who are on the Autism Spectrum ages 3 to 14 years old.  Twelve years ago RLC had only five students enrolled, today enrollment has grown to 102 with a waiting list.

The 2004 V-Rod “100^th Anniversary” model HD has 3,250 miles on its odometer, and is in pristine condition. Personally-owned accessories worn by Gary and Sandy will also be a part of this unique auction package, including leather jackets with “Kid” and “Sandy” embroidered inside, as well as helmets, boots, and gloves. The reserve has yet to be determined.

The bike was a gift to Carter from the New York Mets organization upon his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

For photographs of the 100 Anniversary VRod by Harley Davidson. http://www.hogs4sale.com/Inventory_V_Rod.htm

Considering that this offseason is likely to be almost exciting as last year for Mets fans, I’d like to spice things up by posing questions to you periodically in a series titled “Would You …?”. The questions may be realistic, unrealistic, or completely ridiculous. This series would be kind of like fantasy baseball — complete fiction — and intended to open your mind and spark discussion.

Let’s begin with this conversation starter for you: “Would You trade Ruben Tejada and Jonathon Niese for Justin Upton?”

Again, never mind that this will never happen. It’s meant to get your brain going and your emotions rolling. What say you? Do you make such a deal? Why or why not? Do you adjust the trade by adding/subtracting players on either/both sides?

Ball is in your court — go!

Perhaps this can be a series we run all winter, in which I pose a question and you answer it.