I became a Mets fan simply because the New York Mets were contenders during my early days in 1972 & 1973. My favorite all time player is lefty 1st baseman / outfielder #7 Ed Kranepool. Ed Kranepool was signed by the Mets as a "Bonus Baby" directly fromJames Monroe High School Bronx, New York. From reading old New York Mets yearbooks, the New York Mets signed him for $85,000. Ed Kranepool and I attended the same junior high school and High school. You guessed it, I'm a lefty.

I recall the late 1970's when the New York Yankees renovated Yankee Stadium. (I regret never having entered the original "House That Ruth Built"). Many Yankee friends complained how "because of the Mets and their cheap Shea Stadium ground crew, their up and coming star named Elliot Maddox was hurt. Prior to the opening of the re-built Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium was used by three teams across two sports. Mets, Yankees exchanged their home / road schedules. Then "Broadway Joe" Joe Namath and the New York Jets shared the stadium during the football season.

The question I have been asked the most. How could I be a New York Mets Fan while having been raised in Bronx, New York. It's all timing, my parents are from South America and soccer is the sport of choice. Timing, how many Chicago Bulls fans do you know that don't reside in Chicago. How many Dallas Cowboys fans do you know that don't reside in Texas? When you're young, you tend to cheer / follow the winning teams. (I'm also a Dallas Cowboy Fan) You See!

On the other hand, Free Agency had an effect also. I recall George Steinbrenner signing those $1 Million contracts with Reggie Jackson and Jim "Catfish" Hunter. Over night, you became a contender. Honestly, when you come from a low income household you don't appreciate when people flash their money. Do You Agree?

I played baseball for many years, but I played with raw skills. I didn't have a chance to play little league baseball. So the idea of learning baseball fundamentals at a young age "No Can Do" $$$

As a result of that, I appreciated Pete Rose. "Mr Charlie Hustle" Pete Rose played hard, ran hard and strived for more. I kind of played in a similar manner. Pete's style was appreciate and not appreciated. Most hate Pete Rose due to his off the field preferences and the 1973 season. In 1973, the NY Mets and the Cincinnati Big Red machine played for the NLC. Rose was so tough, that while breaking up a doubleplay at 2nd base he got into a bench emptying brawl. After the double play, he got into a pushing match with Mets shortstop Bud Harrelson (flaquito). At a blink of an eye, "BRUISER CHARLIE HUSTLE" slightly lifted Bud Harrelson and practically body slammed him. Pete Rose Bud Harrelson Dual Picture

I remember once in 1988, I attended a P&G training session in Cincinnati. I arrived on Sunday for the weeklong sessions at the Ivory Towers. I was 26, I remember before dinner I walked towards River Front Stadium. That fall day, I looked up at the stadium and with a childish dream smile, I reflected on the love of the game. The Big Red Machine had current Hall of Famer Tony Perez playing first base and Dave Concepcion at shortstop.

Why did I name this site 1-800-BEISBOL? It's a mix between the love of the game and Latino Baseball. I'm amazed at the development of Latinos in baseball. Many years ago, you could barely count the Latino representation.  Lefty Gomez, Roberto Clemente...

"In 2004, around 30 percent of all players in the Major Leagues were Hispanics. At the start of the 2004 Major League season 73 players among the team rosters were born in the Dominican Republic. But here is the "catch" (to use a baseball metaphor), the minor leagues are almost 50 percent Hispanic ! and growing." Amaury Pi-González

To dimensionalize the latino presence, take a look at the starting line ups of the 2004 All Star Game. I think we started at 11 or 12 of the 18 starting positions. The 2005 All Star Rosters had a total of 26 Latinos.

You Gotta Believe! By Tug Mcgraw