The managers for the return of Mets Old Timers’ Day recently held their draft, and Craig Carton couldn’t get over the top picks.
“It’s the Mets Old Timers’ Day,” Craig said. “Immediately comes to mind, Mike Piazza, John Franco, Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden.”
The first pick wasn’t any of those fan favorites, as David Cone was taken first overall by Willie Randolph.
“The success he had with the Yankees makes you kind of feel ‘icky’ about him being the first overall pick in Mets Old Timers’ Day,” Craig said. “How do you not take Doc first? Doc is first, Piazza is second, let’s go!”
Evan Roberts had a bone to pick with Cone being synonymous with the Mets’ crosstown foe (Cone had a 3.13 ERA in seven seasons with the Mets, compared to a 3.91 ERA in six seasons with the Yankees).
“[Cone] was a tremendous New York Met, and I would argue was a better New York Met than the other teams he played for,” Evan said. “Didn’t win as much, but if he got to the Hall of Fame, and based on performance, you were deciding what hat to put on, it would be the New York Mets.
“David Cone, pound for pound, was better for the Mets than he was with the Yankees.”
Craig couldn’t believe the names that were called next, like Bartolo Colon and Josh Thole. John Franco was taken at number four, who Craig finally agreed with.
“That’s your first legitimate Mets Old Timer,” Craig said.
Craig was so puzzled by the drafting strategy that they got Terry Collins on the horn to explain himself.
“The strategy, obviously Willie wanted a reunion of Yankees who used to be Mets,” Terry joked. “I wanted guys out there that wouldn’t get hurt.”
As for Thole and not Piazza?
“He can catch two innings, I’m not sure Mike can catch at all,” Terry said. “I decided to get some guys that can at least play two innings.”
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