Never Forget 69

Mets 2009 Annual

Lou Di Falco — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:15:43 -0400

Maple Street Press has published their Mets Annual 2009 edition. For 12.99, this 128 page volume written by Matthew Silverman and Greg Spira is a must for any Mets fan. The book includes lots of numbers, stories, and information on your favorite team and their brand new home.

This is a great resource for Mets information. The year book size soft cover book features much more information on each player than last year's edition. And there are no advertisements.

In Mets Annual 2009, each player is given a page with loads of stats, photos, and a write up. Statistics include charts depicting hitters hitting zone averages. They even break down averages on the types of pitches hitters saw, a very comprehensive analysis of each offensive player. Pitchers are given the same treatment. Stats include how pitchers fared against different types of hitters in different situations. An excellent analysis of the defensive aspect of the game. A must read for anyone who is a Mets fan or into fantasy baseball.

There are many articles included also, some that focus on Citi Field and the Mets former homes, Shea Stadium and the Polo Grounds. A nice feature of the book is in depth coverage of the Mets minor league system including schedules of all of the affiliates. Included is an article of how Buffalo, the Mets new triple A affiliate, served as the first triple A team in club history.

There is a wonderful piece on the 1984 Mets. This being the 25th anniversary of the first team Davey Johnson managed, it is interesting to look back and see how those great teams of the 1980s began with this club.

Speaking of anniversaries, this is the 40th for the 1969 Mets, the first Mets World Series championship team. Mets Annual 2009 includes a feature regarding that miraculous team. There is a detailed analysis of the NL East, a review of the 2008 draft class, many great photographs, and a lot more.

I highly recommend Mets Annual 2009. I wore out last year's edition, often going to it during the games. With all of the new statistics that have been added, I'm sure I will do so again this year. You will too. You can find Mets Annual 2009 here or at news stands.

ISBN: 1942-0560

No Minor Accomplishment - a Major Book Worth Reading

Lou Di Falco — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:00:00 -0400

For those of you looking for something baseball related in the cold months ahead, I strongly recommend an excellent book titled No Minor Accomplishment, The Revival of New Jersey Professional Baseball.

Bob Golon, the book’s author, has done an outstanding job of telling the story of the rebirth of minor league baseball in the Garden State. The majority of the book focuses on the eight modern professional baseball teams currently making New Jersey their home and how they have come to be. But in doing so, Golon first goes back in time and recounts the storied history of professional baseball in New Jersey. The Newark Peppers, the original Newark Bears, the Jersey City Giants, Jackie Robinson, Alexander Cartwright, and New Jersey negro minor league teams all played significant roles in New Jersey’s incredible and perhaps not very well known contribution to America’s pastime.

No Minor Accomplishment gives the reader a great view into what brought professional baseball back to New Jersey after an absence of almost fifty years. Plus, for those interested in the operations of the minor and independent professional leagues, Bob Golon does a great job of giving the reader the ins and outs of the daily operations of running a team. For example, Golon writes how the general manager of a minor league club does so much more than his major league counterpart. Learn how the GM is responsible for team personnel but also can be found on the field helping the ground crew roll out the tarp when inclement weather interrupts play.

One section of the book, that I thoroughly enjoyed, was Golon's account of how the independent Atlantic and Can-Am Leagues were created. Both professional leagues have three teams each that call New Jersey home. These leagues are not considered minor leagues because they are not affiliated with any major league teams. However, Golon explains the unique relationship the independent teams have with the majors. Also, you will be surprised when you read how the New York Mets were the unwilling participants in the creation of the Atlantic League.

After Golon recounts the minor league history and what brought professional baseball back to New Jersey, he devotes a chapter to each of the current professional teams. Although many of the franchises experienced similar difficulties in their development, Golon presents the uniqueness of each team and the impact each has had on their respective communities. Each ballclub’s story is loaded with all kinds of great information as to how the team has succeeded, or in a couple of cases, how they have struggled. Plus, Golon provides a detailed history of each location. He explains how cities like Newark, Camden, and Atlantic City have experienced troubled times and how baseball is helping aid in their rebirth by providing affordable family entertainment.

No Minor Accomplishment also tells about baseball and the success of each team on the field. As you will read, New Jersey teams have done well. In fact, almost every New Jersey team has won a championship. The Somerset Patriots, the Atlantic League’s biggest success story, has won several.

The book concludes with Golon providing a detailed description of what it was like to be at a Lakewood BlueClaws playoff game. He writes, not only about what was happening on the field, but also how the crowd was much more involved in the action as compared to a regular season game. His description will have you counting the days until the start of the 2009 season.

I had the privilege of meeting author Bob Golon at one of his presentations and book signings. His passion for baseball and especially New Jersey baseball was quite apparent. Whether you live in New Jersey or not, No Minor Accomplishment, the Revival of New Jersey Professional Baseball is a must read. If you are a baseball junkie and love all facets of the game, on and off the field, you will not be disappointed.

No Minor Accomplishment, The Revival of New Jersey Professional Baseball is published by Rivergate Books and is available at Amazon.com.

Meet the Mets 2008: An Anual Guide to New York Mets Baseball - Review

Lou Di Falco — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:15:54 -0400

I strongly recommend purchasing Meet the Mets 2008: An Annual Guide to New York Mets Baseball by Matthew Silverman and Greg Spira.