Two anniversaries clash in New York, as the Mets celebrate a half century of existence, and Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg the second anniversary of his professional debut. Strasburg has the upper hand, pitching 6 scoreless innings to earn his first win of the year, 4 – 0. His opponent Johan Santana, also coming back from arm surgery, gives up a single run in 5 innings when Mark DeRosa scores on a wild pitch in the 2nd, but it’s enough to saddle him with the loss.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Two anniversaries clash in New York, as the Mets celebrate a half century of existence, and Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg the second anniversary of his professional debut. Strasburg has the upper hand, pitching 6 scoreless innings to earn his first win of the year, 4 – 0. His opponent Johan Santana, also coming back from arm surgery, gives up a single run in 5 innings when Mark DeRosa scores on a wild pitch in the 2nd, but it’s enough to saddle him with the loss.

The Mets announce that John Franco, the club’s all-time leader in saves and games pitched, will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame

The Mets announce that John Franco, the club’s all-time leader in saves and games pitched, will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame

ByTom

The Mets announce that John Franco, the club’s all-time leader in saves and games pitched, will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. The All-Star closer, who has the second longest tenure in franchise history behind Ed Kranepool, compiled 276 saves of his career 424 saves, the most by any left-handed reliever in baseball history, with New York.

The Mets win their first subway series against the crosstown Yankees since 1998 with a 6 – 4 victory. Jason Bay homers twice – only his second and third long balls of the year – against CC Sabathia. Johan Santana is the winner and Francisco Rodriguez picks up the save by striking out Alex Rodriguez with two men on to end the game.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Mets win their first subway series against the crosstown Yankees since 1998 with a 6 – 4 victory. Jason Bay homers twice – only his second and third long balls of the year – against CC Sabathia. Johan Santana is the winner and Francisco Rodriguez picks up the save by striking out Alex Rodriguez with two men on to end the game.

The Mets trade right-handed reliever Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr.

The Mets trade right-handed reliever Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Mets, in need of a center fielder until Carlos Beltran returns to the lineup in early May, deal 30 year-old right-handed reliever Brian Stokes (2-4, 3.97) to the Angels in exchange for the highly-paid, but under-achieving Gary Matthews Jr. (.250, 4, 50). Los Angeles agrees to pay a significant portion of the slumping outfielder’s $50 million five-year contract that ‘Little Sarge’ signed three seasons ago with the Halos.

David Wrightestablishes a franchise record by starting is his 836th game at third base for the Mets

David Wrightestablishes a franchise record by starting is his 836th game at third base for the Mets

ByBaseball

David Wright, playing a position which the team was unable to field a reliable everyday player on a consistent basis for decades, establishes a franchise record by starting is his 836th game at third base for the Mets, surpassing his hitting coach and friend Howard Johnson. More than 120 players, beginning in 1962 with Don Zimmer, have appeared at the hot corner for the team, but only ten have appeared in as many as 200 games during the club’s 47-year history.

Jerry Manuel inks a two year deal to manage mets

Jerry Manuel inks a two year deal to manage mets

ByThis Day in Baseball

On October 3, 2008 Jerry Manuel, who replaced Willie Randolph in June, inks a two-year deal to manage the Mets. The likable 54 year-old skipper, who compiled 55-38 record in his interim role, built a three-and-a-half game division lead over Philadelphia in September, but like his predecessor, could not stop the team from collapsing at…

Eddie Kunz makes his debut.

Eddie Kunz makes his debut.

ByTom

August 3, 2008: Eddie Kunz, a 22 year old hard throwing right-hander, made his New York Mets debut against the Houston Astros. Kunz pitched a shutout inning. It would be one of only four MLB appearances he made during his short career. Kunz, the 2007 first round pick will finish his career with 2.2 innings pitched…

Carlos Delgado of the Mets sets a franchise record with nine RBI’s

Carlos Delgado of the Mets sets a franchise record with nine RBI’s

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 27, 2008, At Yankee Stadium, Carlos Delgado of the Mets sets a franchise record with nine RBI’s in a 15-6 rout of the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Delgado is 3-for-5 with two homers and a double. The outburst occurs in the first game of a doubleheader split between Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium….

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Felix Hernandez becomes the first pitcher in the 31-year history of the Seattle Mariner franchise to hit a home run

ByThis Day in Baseball

In an inter-league contest against the Mets at Shea Stadium, Mariners’ right-hander Felix Hernandez becomes the first pitcher in the 31-year history of the franchise to hit a home run. The round-tripper, which comes off fellow Venezuela ace Johan Santana, is also the first grand slam hit by an American League pitcher since Steve Dunning of the Indians homered off A’s moundsman Diego Segui in 1971.

Johan Santana signs a 6-year, $137.5 million deal with the New York Mets

ByTom

2008 – Johan Santana signs a 6-year, $137.5 million deal with the New York Mets to become the highest-paid pitcher in major league history, breaking Barry Zito’s record. The contract is the penultimate step in a trade of Santana to New York; only a physical remains and this will be passed a day later.