Bingo at @katchastoria

You guys should go out to this. It’s free, it’s fun, good food and drinks, and prizes!!! Hmm it’s Halloween also, maybe you guys should dress up and have some fun!

Sports Turf Managers Association, Minor League Baseball Announce2018 ‘Sports Turf Managers of the Year' Sponsored by STMA and John Deere

Midwest League President Dick Nussbaum Named Warren Giles Award Winner

@QBConvention Mookie Wilson Panel

Since there isn't a lot of Mets News(yet), I decided to start putting up panels from previous QBCs.


QBC15: Mookie Wilson from Media Goon aka Keith Blacknick on Vimeo.

@QBConvention 2017 Tim Teufel Panel

Since there isn't a lot of Mets News (yet), I figured I would post some of the past QBC panels.


QBC'17: Tim Teufel Panel from Media Goon aka Keith Blacknick on Vimeo.

@QBConvention Chris Flexen Panel

Since there isn't a lot of Mets news (yet), I decided to post videos from the past QBCs.


QBC 2018 NY Met Chris Fexen Panel from Media Goon aka Keith Blacknick on Vimeo.

METS NAME BRODIE VAN WAGENEN GENERAL MANAGER

@QBConvention 2018 Todd Hundley Panel

Since there isn't a lot of Mets News(yet), I figured I would just repost some of the past panels from past QBCs.

Todd Hundley from Media Goon aka Keith Blacknick on Vimeo.

@QBConvention 2018 Meet the Mets (Execs) Panel 2018

Since there isn't a lot of Mets News(yet), I figured I would just repost some of the past panels from past QBCs.

Meet The Mets (Execs) Hosted by Roger Clark from Media Goon aka Keith Blacknick on Vimeo.

UFC being shown at @katchastoria 11/3/18

@QBConvention is proud to announce that XXXX is hosting the Keith Hernandez panel.

Guess who's coming to host the Keith Hernandez panel at The Queens Baseball Convention on Saturday January 19, 2019. Did you guess yet? How about now? No? Well, we are bringing back one of our favorites from last year. You guys love him on the radio. Welcome back to Pete McCarthy! 

"Pete McCarthy has spent the last five seasons talking everything Mets on their former flagship radio station, WOR. He grew up a die-hard Mets fan on Long Island. He has never been able to pull off a good mustache."

I for one would love to see him try to pull off a good mustache for the QBC. Maybe Keith can show him how.

Here's Pete hosting the Brandon Nimmo panel from QBC '18


Brandon Nimmo QBC 2018 from Media Goon aka Keith Blacknick on Vimeo.

I am sure this will be a huge topic at the State of The Mets Panel at @QBConvention 2019

Anyone else have a bad feeling about this? Seriously, I hope that I am wrong but how can this be a good thing? “Hey guys. Let’s get a guy that has no front office experience, doesn’t know how to put a team together on the field, and someone we might be able to control. Oh yeah, let’s make it seem like it’s someone from outside the box and get this youngish agent guy instead of someone with experience’”
Anyone else feel this way? Am I just nuts?

More Mets GM Thoughts

From the NY Post

Does he think the Mets paid the right amount for Cespedes or Frazier or Vargas? Too little? Too much?

Keep in mind that while spending in free agency, the Mets still did not take their overall payroll to an area befitting a major market. Does Van Wagenen believe that this is an area in which the Wilpons are being negligent and does he have the honeymoon goodwill and Wilpon whispering skills to influence a larger outlay?

Remember, also that in the off-day before the All-Star Game, Van Wagenen took the news cycle hostage by saying the Mets should either sign another of his clients, Jacob deGrom, long term or trade him. That felt like a leverage play. The Mets had to do nothing at the time. DeGrom was not a free agent until after 2020. They could play out 2018 with deGrom in what turned out to be a historic season and leave it to their next GM to decide what to do.

Read more here
I dunno but I see conflict of interest left and right here. His former clients are either going to be pissed that he dropped them and maybe ask for trades and not to be on the team or maybe his buddies at CAA are going to make a lot of money off their commissions because of him. Does he get the Wilpons to spend or does he spend the Wilpon’s money wisely?

MLB Union concerned about Mets GM pick.

Right after I hit publish on the last post I read this in the NY Post.

has the Mets to thank.

News of the Mets focusing on CAA agent Brodie Van Wagenen to become their head of baseball operations has players voicing their concern to Clark, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.

“I won’t tell you how many calls or how many texts I have gotten,” Clark told reporters before Game 3 of the World Series between the Dodgers and Red Sox, according to various reports.

“I will simply suggest to you that our membership is paying attention.”

Van Wagenen represents a large number of Mets players, including Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes, Noah Syndergaard and Todd Frazier. Clark hinted the players’ concern is that Van Wagenen may use “confidential information” he gathered as an agent against them in future negotiations.

Read more here.
I totally get why there is concern here. Now do the Mets he represented move to someone else in his agency? If they do that,what will the negotiations look like when it’s contract time? Do the players jump ship to another agency? This has all the earmarking of being a typical Wilpon mess here.

The Mets new GM might be.....

I don’t get this pick at all. How is this not going to bite the Mets in the ass? An agent with no front office experience who is going to have to deal with other agents that he may or may not have run ins with over the years. What about the players he repped who are on the Mets right now? I don’t get it.

From the NY Post

Mega-agent Brodie Van Wagenen, the co-head of CAA’s baseball division, is the team’s pick to lead the front office, according to an industry source, as the Mets move to fill the vacancy by next week.

As of Friday evening, no deal was complete, but the sides have begun contract negotiations. Any announcement by the team will likely have to wait until the World Series concludes — though technically the Mets could hold a press conference on Monday’s off day, if the Fall Classic is still going.

Chaim Bloom, the Rays’ senior VP of baseball operations, is the other finalist for the job and remains a candidate. But team owner Fred Wilpon and COO Jeff Wilpon are focused on the 44-year-old Van Wagenen, a Stanford graduate, whose clients have included current Mets players Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes, Noah Syndergaard, Todd Frazier, Brandon Nimmo and Jason Vargas, among others.

Read more here

@katchastoria extends happy hour

Follow @katchastoria for details

Yankees asking owes the city money

Now, the Yankees don’t have a stake in the parking, supposedly. Let’s see what the NY Post has to say about this.

The city is owed more than $100 million in unpaid rent, taxes and interest on parking lots at Yankee Stadium constructed nearly a decade ago — with no payment in sight, documents show.

Bronx Parking Development Corp., which runs the facilities, has lost at least $28 million a year in each of the past three years because not enough Yankee fans are willing to pay as much as $45 to park there for a single game.

The firm owed the city’s Economic Development Corp. $45.2 million in unpaid rent and interest as of March 31, and $56 million in unpaid taxes and interest, records show.

“It was definitely a boondoggle from a former administration, but what now?” said Geoffrey Croft, president of NYC Park Advocates, who has been monitoring the deal because it displaced acres of Bronx parkland. “At some point, the city needs to take responsibility for this horrible deal because the bill keeps going up.”

I do think the Yankees said they needed all these parking spots and that’s why the park was relocated on top of one of these structures.
Read more here

METS TO HOST FUTURAS ESTRELLAS EQUIPMENT DONATION IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC NOVEMBER

Minor League Baseball’s New Post-Graduate Associates Program to Provide League Office Experience in Professional Baseball

Mr Met Neon sign

MLB Commissioner Manfred said things yesterday.

From the NY Posy
“As Manfred has prioritized pace of play and time of game as one of baseball’s top initiatives, he and many owners have publicly wished to see more balls in play and fewer “three true outcomes” (homers, strikeouts and walks). The Red Sox, who eliminated the Yankees in this year’s American League Division Series, and the Astros, who outlasted the Yankees in last year’s AL Championship Series, both have developed more balanced offensive attacks than that of the Yankees, who set a single-season record in 2018 with 267 homers, but also struck out 1,421 times, third most in the AL.

Speaking of time of game, the average regular-season, nine-inning game this year lasted 3:00:44, a healthy drop from last year’s all-time high of 3:05:11. In the postseason, however, nine-inning contests have lasted more than three hours and 36 minutes, after last year’s 3:29:28, as per Major League Baseball.”
MG- How to pick up pace of play during a game. Hmmmm. I think we covered when switching out pitchers the new pitcher coming in doesn’t need 8 pitches to “warm up” he’s been throwing in the bullpen already. Don’t let the batter step out of box more then two times during an at bat. Oh and really enforce that pitch clock!

“Sign-stealing in and of itself is not a violation of our rules,” Manfred said. “It’s been a part of our game since Lassie was a puppy. Where it becomes a problem is where there’s a use of technology that otherwise violates our rules to aid the sign-stealing process. I think technology is evolving at a rate that it is incumbent upon us to constantly review and update our rules. … We’ll probably have some changes for next year.”
MG- Don’t want sign stealing? Hide your signs better!
Read more from the NY Post Here

Albuquerque Isotopes win John H. Johnson President’s Award

@metsteamstore open in the off-season. (Hope you are off during the week)

“Hey we are open, but not on any convenient days or hours for people with 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday jobs.” Really? How are you guys opened two days during the week. Wouldn’t it make sense to have a Saturday or Sunday as one of those days?
“Honestly. I can’t figure out why we aren’t getting anyone in here to buy something.”

Mets GM Search

The Mets GM search seems like it is winding down and I don’t care. Is that bad? I don’t know if it’s from the candidates that the Mets have been considering or that no matter who they bring in might have to just deal in futility with the Wilson’s? I just am not excited at all by this at all.
Maybe the Mets will send the new GM to QBC ‘19 for the Meet the Mets (Execs) panel. Who knows?

@katchastoria events this week

New York Mets 2008 Game Used Final Season Base

From eBay

Price:

US $499.00

This auction is for a Game used Baseball Base... Shea Stadium Final Season ( August 6, 2008 )...  New York Mets vs San Diego Padres... Comes with certificate of authenticity (not pictured).. . Photos are of actual item. MG- $499? I have one of these signed by Daniel Murphy and thats about what I would charge....

@Mets Jay Bruce Golf Tournament for a cause

If you are in Texas, play golf, and want to help out a cause, here ya go.

About

As a young baseball player, Jay spent countless hours traveling across the nation to attend tournaments and controlled much of the family schedule year round with practices and games. The Bruce family never missed a game, including his older sister Kellan, who is his biggest fan and cheerleader.

The Jay Bruce Golf Benefit was established in 2010 to help adults and children in Southeast Texas with intellectual and developmental disabilities like Kellan get off the sidelines and become players in their own lives.

We have partnered with The Arc of greater Beaumont, a local organization dedicated to this mission, to promote the success of these individuals as well as supporting the Life Skills department at Beaumont West Brook High School where Kellan received much of her education.
We deeply appreciate your support in helping us change the game.

Find out more at http://www.jaybrucegolfbenefit.com/

GAME USED WORN EDGARDO ALFONZO NEW YORK METS 1999 JERSEY

AUTHENTIC GAME USED New York Mets Edgardo Alfonzo 1999 Home White Jersey Size 46. This is equivalent to a Large / XL. Jersey is a Russell Athletic Diamond Collection Jersey. Jersey is tagged appropriately with the jock tag on the inside of the jersey. It is size 46 and made by Russell Athletic. Size 46 Jerseys are not made as retail authentics. Has velcro between the second and third buttons. Everything is sewn on. Jersey is in excellent condition. Jersey was obtained directly from the Mets.

@QBConvention Ticket on Sale Date and Ticket Info

Art by @dave_majo

You guys have been asking like crazy about when tickets go on sale for Queens Baseball Convention and now we can finally answer you when they are going on sale. For the last few years we started selling the tickets on Black Friday. That has not changed. On  Friday November 23rd 2018, we will launch The QBC BLUE FRIDAY SALE at 10am and will last until 11:59pm on November 25th. For this weekend and this weekend only we will have the tickets for the QBC at a Sale price.Our entire inventory will be on sale. If we sell out there won't be more tickets. We will have different price levels available. There will be a special Blue Friday ticket also.

Here are the Blue Friday Prices

BLACK FRIDAY ONLY SPECIAL Admission for ONE Person and ONE free autograph- $50*

You get admission plus ONE autograph for  any ONE autograph. BONUS ITEM Keith Hernandez baseball card included.

 BLACK FRIDAY SALE Admission for ONE Person and TWO free autographs-$70*

Admission plus TWO autographs (max of One autograph from Keith Hernandez). Other autograph ticket can be used for any one other autograph.BONUS ITEM Keith Hernandez baseball card included.

BLACK FRIDAY SALE Admission for ONE Person and THREE free autographs-$90*

Admission plus 3 autographs tickets (max of 1 from Keith Hernandez). BONUS ITEM Keith Hernandez baseball card included.

BLACK FRIDAY SALE VIP Admission for ONE Person and Four autographs.- $120*

Admission- Fast Pass(Skip general admission lines for entry and autographs) Four autographs (max of two from Keith Hernandez), and two autograph tickets to be used for any other autographs. Added bonus a signed Todd Hundley baseball card.BONUS ITEM Keith Hernandez baseball card included.

*plus taxes and fees

Regular Ticket Prices

Admission for ONE Person and TWO autographs- $75*

Admission plus TWO autographs (max of ONE from Keith Hernandez. BONUS ITEM Keith Hernandez baseball card included.

Admission for ONE and THREE free autographs- $100*

Admission plus Three autographs tickets (max of ONE from Keith Hernandez). BONUS ITEM Keith Hernandez baseball card included.

VIP Admission for ONE and Four autographs. Plus Fast Pass to skip autograph General Admission Line- $130*

Admission- Fast Pass(Skip general admission lines for entry and autographs) FOUR autographs (max of TWO from Keith Hernandez), and two autograph tickets to be used for any other autographs. BONUS ITEM Keith Hernandez baseball card included.Added bonus a signed Todd Hundley baseball card.

*plus taxes and fees

Additional Autograph vouchers will be available for sale at QBC'19.

I am sure we are going to hear from some people "Hey the prices went up!" Yes. They did go up. In all transparency, getting the talent there costs money and to get the quality of talent you guys are now expecting, we have to charge more to be able to get the into the building. We also have to charge tax and the fees from Eventbrite. It sucks but at least you know it isn't some made up fees like a convenience charge etc. We hope you guys understand. Dan and I work extremely hard for months on this and try to to keep the QBC as awesome as it has been in the past while charging the least amount we can.

We will publish the link for the Eventbrite page in November. 

Thank you guys in advance for understanding and we can't wait to have another great event.

KEITH HERNANDEZ TO HEADLINE THE 2019 QUEENS BASEBALL CONVENTION

Former team Captain and current SNY announcer set to appear on January 19^th 

Keith Hernandez, the first Captain of the New York Mets and leader of the 1986 World Series Championship team, will headline the 2019 Queens Baseball Convention organizers announced today.

The former MVP and batting champion, and current member of the SNY Mets broadcast team, will take part in an hour-long panel discussion which will include taking some questions from attendees to the 6^thannual event.  Following the panel, Mr. Hernandez will take part in an autograph session with fans.

QBC will kick-off at 10:30 am on January 19^th at Katch Astoria (31-19 Newtown Ave., Astoria, NY).  For more information, including tickets and schedules please go to www.QueensBaseballConvention.com or email us at QBC2016@gmail.com. 

ABOUT KEITH HERNANDEZ

From 1983, when he was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals, Keith Hernandez was the everyday first baseman for the New York Mets.  A 5-time All Star and 11-time Gold Glove winner, in 1986 Hernandez led the Mets to their second World Series Championship.  In 1987, in recognition of his leadership, he was named the first Captain in the team’s history.  Hernandez retired following the 1990 season with 2,182 hits and a .296 lifetime batting average.

In 1992, Hernandez made a now famous guest appearance on Seinfeld where he befriended Jerry and briefly dated Elaine.  Six years later he reprised his role in the series finale.

In 1999 Hernandez joined Gary Cohen and fellow 86er Ron Darling to form SNY’s award winning Mets broadcast team.

ABOUT THE QBC

Now in its 6^th year, the Queens Baseball Convention was created as a mid-winter gathering of Mets fan,  combining the essence of a “Fan Fest” with the spirit of a “Comic Con.”

Pat Mahomes Jersey worn by Pat Mahomes II to his NFL Game

Patrick Mahomes II and the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night. When the quarterback arrived at Arrowhead Stadium, he was sporting a baseball jersey, but not just any jersey -- it was one with his dad's name on the back

Read more and see the video here

MG- That’s pretty cool thing for him to do. I wonder what his dad thought about it or if he even knew that his son was going to wear it.

Thanks Tom for the heads up.

Found a Fonzie Action Figure

I remember this from my youth.

Who’s old enough here to remember Mezcos as a kid? I used to play with my Mezcos non stop as a kid.
Don’t forget the@QBConvention is Jan 19 2019 at @KatchAstoria.
www.queensbaseballconvention.com

Happy Birthday to @QBConvention headliner @KEITHHERNANDEZ

Art by @dave_majo

Happy Birthday to every Mets fan's favorite former Captain/First Baseman.

Want to see Keith in person? On Jan 19th, 2019, Keith will be at the QUEENS BASEBALL CONVENTION. I wonder if it would be weird to wish him a belated birthday then.

Some David Wright “Day” Game stuff is up for auction.

Folks against renaming the Syracuse Chiefs the Syracuse Mets

I was up from 6am yesterday until 4:30 am today. I have to be in at work again about 5 pm.  If you guys don't hear from me all day its because I need major sleep.

Brent Axe of Syracuse.com and ESPN Radio Syracuse in a series of tweets said, “If they are changing their nickname to the Mets, I have 3 big problems with that. It's lazy. Minor league sports are full of fun, creative nicknames. The Mets? Really? How does that draw in a larger crowd, sell merch or appeal to kids? 2. What do the Mets have to do with Syracuse? Even the Chiefs had a long local history and an association with Central New York.
“The Mets brand isn't strong enough to carry on its own here,” Axe continued. “The Yankees would be different, but even then I'd hesitate. Why shut off any mass appeal? If it is simply the Syracuse Mets, you aren't off to a good start in the new era of Triple-A Baseball here in Syracuse in my opinion.”-Seth Everett Forbes.com

Hmmmm... The Chiefs were there in Syracuse for 84 yrs? Is this Rachel/Ross we are on a break territory?

From wikipedia-

The first Syracuse Chiefs baseball team was established in 1934, when the Jersey City Skeeters moved to Syracuse and were renamed the Chiefs. The team played in the International League (IL) through 1955 (winning five championships), but was sold and moved to Miami as the Marlins for the 1956 campaign.

Another team known as the Syracuse Chiefs competed in the Class A Eastern League (then two levels below the IL) during 1956–57, but moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania on July 13, 1957.^[5]

Syracuse was without professional baseball until the 1961 season, when the Montreal Royals franchise was abandoned by its owners (the Los Angeles Dodgers) and relocated to Syracuse as the top affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, becoming the Syracuse Chiefs.

The Chiefs have played in Syracuse without interruption since their rebirth in 1961. The team was renamed the SkyChiefs in 1997 before reverting to the original "Chiefs" in December 2006.^[6]

From 1978 to 2008, the Chiefs were the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The three-decade Toronto–Syracuse affiliation is the longest of the 11 major leagueaffiliations the Chiefs have had since 1936. While the Chiefs reached three Governors Cup finals during this time, many of the players who helped lead the Blue Jays to consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993 passed through Syracuse.

In 1994 outfielder Shawn Green hit .344 for the Chiefs—winning the International League batting title, and was voted the International League Rookie of the Year.

The Chiefs played at MacArthur Stadium from 1934 to 1996, moving to then-P&C Stadium in 1997.

The original Chiefs started in 1934 and  got sold in 1956 and moved to Miami as the Marlins that is were your original Chiefs history ends. In Miami. So that was 22 yrs. Then a Class A eastern team took the name from 1956-1957 before it moved to PA. Then no teams for four years then look who came in. The latest incarnation of the Chiefs. 1961-2018. That's 53 years of history and not 84. 

I just hate how lazy they are by calling them the Mets. It’s minor league baseball...have a fun name. Syracuse Salt Potatoes is way better.

— Michael Kelley (@M53k) October 17, 2018

MG- Salt potatoes? Better then Mets? Maybe for one or two games this year but not as a team name...

Check out the threads the Syracuse Mets will wear in their inaugural season at NBT Bank Stadium in 2019! #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/1S8kMLV3s6

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) October 16, 2018

MG- Yeah because the team won't wear a hundred promo jerseys this year. I am fine with the name change and I wouldn't be surprised in 5 years it gets changed to something else.

@dhapshow hosts Speed Dating at @katchastoria Friday 10/19/18

Minor League Baseball Charities Partners with 5050 Central

Minor League Baseball Charities Partners with 5050 Central

TORONTO and St. Petersburg, Fla. – Oct. 18, 2018 – 5050 Central Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gaming Nation Inc., today announced a partnership Minor League BaseballTM (MiLBTM) Charities to become the “Official 50/50 Charitable Raffle Provider and Sponsor of Minor League Baseball Charities.”
MiLB Charities will use 5050 Central’s digital raffling platform at its two marquis industry events, the Minor League Baseball Innovators SummitTM (formerly known as the Minor League Baseball Promotional Seminar) and the Baseball Winter MeetingsTM.
“We are very excited to become the official 50/50 charitable raffle provider of Minor League Baseball Charities,” said Jason Little, VP, Business Development with 5050 Central. “With nearly 40 MiLB teams currently utilizing our technology to support their foundation or local community efforts, it was a natural fit for us to expand our partnership to work with MiLB Charities.”
“5050 Central has a decade-long, proven track record of helping raise funds for charitable foundations and organizations in professional sports,” said Courtney Nehls, Assistant Director of Community Engagement for Minor League Baseball. “This partnership will allow MiLB Charities to streamline its ongoing fundraising efforts and continue to give back to Minor League Baseball communities through monies raised at our annual events.”
Since 2012, 5050 Central has been providing digital 50/50 charitable raffle fundraising solutions to a number of Minor League Baseball teams, raising over $12 million for their foundations, associated charities and community groups.
###
About Gaming Nation Inc.
Gaming Nation Inc. provides technology and information platforms to the sports and entertainment industry. The company's platforms include 5050 Central, a digital real-time raffle system and BD Sport Group, providing in-stadium betting in the UK football market. For more information visit, www.gamingnationinc.com.
Connect with Gaming Nation Inc. on Facebook and Twitter.
About 5050 Central Ltd.
5050 Central Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Gaming Nation Inc., is a digital raffle software system that drives consumer participation in raffle events while providing accountability to the raffle process. The 5050 Central system digitally captures every transaction while providing updated real-time raffle information to display devices located throughout the venue. Tickets are sold to fans through tablet kiosks and mobile hand-held devices, creating an effortless data collection system providing faster sales transaction, longer selling periods, accountability and substantial increases in average raffle proceeds. 5050 Central boasts some of sports' most iconic brands as clients, with partners across the sports landscape including MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, MLS, NLL, CFL & EFL as well as several NASCAR events, PGA tournaments and NCAA institutions.
For more information visit, www.5050central.com.
Connect with 5050 Central on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
About Minor League Baseball Charities
Minor League Baseball Charities is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to giving back to and enhancing the communities MiLB teams call home. Through donations and support it receives from fans, teams and partners, MiLB Charities contributes to local organizations in times of need and supports causes that are important to its extended baseball family. Minor League Baseball, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, is the governing body for all professional baseball teams in the United States, Canada, and the Dominican Republic that are affiliated with Major League Baseball® clubs through their farm systems. In 2018, Minor League Baseball attracted nearly 40.5 million fans to its ballparks to see the future stars of the sport hone their skills. For more information, visit www.MiLB.com.
Follow Minor League Baseball on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

I typed Vintage Mets into eBay and found this

Hello valued reader,



Here is a rare New York Mets pinstripe genuine merchandise jacket in excellent condition. The jacket is men's size XL and shows little signs of wear. I would still ask that you judge the condition yourself from the pictures I have provided. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask. Thanks for reading, and have a nice day.

@metspolice needs this...

Citi Field is having tours

I miss Fonzie

When I was growing up, one of my favorite shows of all time was Happy Days. Of course, just like everyone else my favorite character was Arthur Fonzarelli. You might know him better as “The Fonz” or “Fonzie”. He was the cool guy that has the blue windbreaker on in the early days of the show back when they did exteriors and shot it on film. Then Fonz was eventually allowed to wear his iconic leather jacket (which is now in the Smithsonian) and one of the most iconic characters of all time was solidified. Fonzie was a street tough with a heart of gold. He protected his freinds from other toughies and was a ladies man.

I got to meet the man who played Fonzie when I worked on Royal Pains. Yes. Henry Winkler is the nicest man in Hollywood. It’s not an act either. He is one of the kindest people I have ever met and we had some great conversations over the years. When they say never meet your heroes, they didn’t mean never meet Henry aka “The Fonz”. The man lives up to his rep. I even have a leather jacket signed by him now.

I also miss Edgardo Alfonzo aka “Fonzie”. He was a Mets player that did what needed to be done for the team. Played wherever the Mets needed him to and never complained about it. He was a tough out and a solid defensive player. When he came to the plate you knew he was going to either get a hit or make the pitcher work to get him out. It would have been great to see him do a Fonzie from Happy Days parody in the 90s/2000s with him wearing a leather jacket at a drive in restaurant banging a jukebox to get it going.

I also got to meet Edgardo a few years ago during a Nestle Quick Wiffle Ball tournament at Citi Field. We took his son who was twelve years old at the time on our team. Fonzie was such a nice guy, joking around with everyone and you could tell he was having a great time. I’m glad he’s the manager in Brooklyn for The Cyclones. He is going to do right by the kids on that team. Solid baseball guy and just seems to be a solid guy period.
That’s the tale of the two Fonzies that I have gotten to interact with in my life. I wonder when the next time is going to be when I get to see them.

Governor Cuomo announces the Syracuse Mets(video)

@Syracusemets Merch already on sale

They didn't waste any time here.....

All pretty generic... You can grab merch here.

It is official. Welcome the Syracuse Mets

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES NY METS AND COUNTY CLOSE TO FINALIZING A LEASE EXTENSION TO KEEP PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL IN ONONDAGA COUNTY FOR NEXT 25 YEARS
Name to Officially Change to Syracuse Mets For The 2019 Season

SYRACUSE, NY - October 16, 2018 - New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced the New York Mets, New York State, Onondaga County and the City Of Syracuse are committed to signing a lease extension to keep professional baseball in Onondaga County for the next 25 years. Under terms of the agreement, the New York Mets would sign a 25 year lease and the State, County and City will invest $26.25 million to modernize and upgrade NBT Bank Stadium, making it a suitable home for professional, AAA baseball for the next 25 years.

Additionally, Mets officials announced that the name of the Triple-A affiliate will be changed to the Syracuse Mets. New home and road uniforms were unveiled along with the new primary logo that features the words "Syracuse Mets" emblazoned over the State of New York. The team will wear a new "S" in a nostalgic font on their hats.

"Baseball has been engrained in Syracuse's history for more than 80 years, and this critically important investment will ensure that it remains an ‘amazin’ part of this community’s future for decades to come,” Governor Cuomo said. “By renovating this stadium, we are going to attract new and old fans alike, generate economic activity and increase tourism across the region and help foster the next generation of baseball greats.”

City of Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, "This investment by the County Executive and the Governor exemplifies the partnerships necessary to sustain and grow our city and region. I am excited to welcome the Syracuse Mets to our community, which ensures that a baseball team and stadium will remain in Syracuse and continue to provide recreational opportunities for our region to enjoy."

Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said, "Governor Cuomo is a true champion for upstate New York. We are grateful for his support, which will ensure that NBT Stadium continues serving as an economic engine for our region. Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s commitment and leadership, we are continuing to see great momentum and progress in Central New York.”

The Mets have also committed to use their expert design team to develop many of the improvements and upgrades to NBT Bank Stadium, allowing local dollars to be spent on the construction of the project instead of various fees associated with design and engineering.
"We look forward to being in Syracuse as an organization and in the community with our top minor league club for many years to come," said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. "We must thank Governor Cuomo for his continued support.  Additional thanks to Joanie Mahoney, the great folks at the ESD as well as the Onondaga County Legislators for all their efforts."

Onondaga County will reinvest revenue from stadium naming rights revenue in addition to bond proceeds to the project. The NBT Bank Stadium renovation will have a keen focus on hospitality and the improvement of the fan experience. Improvements will be focused on the in seat and in venue experience, with an emphasis on technology. The retail environment will see an upgrade with additional & renovated team stores, and rebranding and improvement to the food & beverage experience, with a focus on showcasing NYS best food and drink.

In addition, capital will be focused on replacing and extending the useful life on various mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and security systems and the refreshing of public restrooms. Ushering in the Syracuse Mets era will include a re-conceptualization of both interior and exterior stadium color palette, branding, and wayfinding. With the intention of creating a destination for fans of all ages to enjoy, emphasis will be placed on creating a more walk-able neighborhood venue environment that Mets have come to know and love at Citi Field. Plans are currently in development to extend the concourse beyond the 1st and 3rd base lines with amenities such as destination bars and food concepts. Construction will begin in 2019.

To learn more about the Syracuse Mets or ticket options for 2019, fans can visit syracusemets.com.