With the season just starting I strongly recommend purchasing Meet the Mets 2008: An Annual Guide to New York Mets Baseball by Matthew Silverman and Greg Spira. It’s published by Maple Street Press.

This is a glossy magazine-size soft cover publication that is chock full of Mets information with lots of articles, stats, and photos. For the cover price you can’t go wrong. You will easily pay more for the official Mets yearbook that will not even come close to what’s in Meet the Mets 2008.

The book includes a roster of all the current Mets, including new comers with their statistics from last year plus projected statistics for 2008. Meet the Mets also includes many articles and interviews. The first piece as you might guess focuses on the latest addition to the Mets starting staff, Johan Santana. There are articles discussing the collapse. One titled “Winter of Our Discontent” by Kevin Collazo, breaks down the thinking of what went into the Mets offseason plans after the collapse. Another great interview is with Ralph Kiner, long time Mets broadcaster, about his years calling Mets games. There is also a fun fantasy piece about the beginning of the 2010 season from the SNY broadcast booth as Gary, Ron, and Keith review last year’s World Series win (2009).

The book also includes a nice section on Citi Field called “We Built This Citi”, construction photos included. Another article highlights the history of Shea Stadium. There is a great picture of Shea during a Jets game for those of you who never saw the stadium configured for football. There is also a shot of Shea being constructed in 1962 as its steel skeleton nears completion.

Meet the Mets 2008 also includes a critical report on the depleted farm system following the aftermath of the Johan Santana deal. The article discuses some of the prospects still left in the organization. Also there is an overview of each team in the National League to help us sift through who will be the Mets chief competition. And if you think the collapse was bad, which it was, there is an article titled “Bitter Pill” which covers the failed NLCS of 1988. On a more positive note, “Miracle Grow” talks about what led up to and including the 1969 World Championship team. A must read for any younger fan who does not know of the early history of the Mets.

In addition to the Mets schedule, the reference also includes schedules of the Brooklyn Cyclones and Binghamton Mets for those who enjoy taking in a minor league game or two. The last page of the book provides the history of the song Meet the Mets which includes the original lyrics. It also discusses the version we still hear from the 1980’s with an updated arrangement.

All in all, Meet the Mets 2008 is well worth the price and a great reference for Mets fans. It’s a book you do not have to read from cover to cover. You will be able to go to it again and again. You can purchase Meet the Mets 2008 at book stores or order from Amazon.com.