100 Things Mets Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die

by Matt Silverman

With traditions, records, and team lore, this lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every Mets fan should know. It contains crucial information such as important dates, player nicknames, memorable moments, and outstanding achievements by singular players. This guide to all things New York Mets covers Robin Ventura's 1999 Grand-Slam single, the 1969 shoe polish incident, and the history behind the names and numbers on the left-field wall.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Baseball

272 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is poorly written I am afraid, but it so fits the Mets. They are something you can't get excited about, but then it gets interesting and you have higher expectations and then it just let's you down. Then you think about it and say this wasn't good from the start, but you still like a few things about. Well this is that type of book.

There are so many redundant things in it. It seems like the book revolves around 1962, 69', 73', 86' and 99' with a little bit of 85' and 07'. What I don't understand is the Number #1 thing we need to know about the Mets is Buckner? Really? It is not even a Mets player? Come on.

But here is a couple poor words. #76 'One Dog, One Season' "Lance Johnson played just 232 games as a Met, yet he holds three significant team batting records. In 1996 Johnson, signed as a free agent from the White Sox, set still-standing blub records for hits (227) and triples (21). Jose Reyes topped Johnson's record 682 AB's in 2005 , and others have passed his 117 runs. His 50 stolen bases fell short of Mookie Wilson's single season steals record of 58 and his .333 average was 7 points below the .340 mark set by Cleon Jones in 1969. (Both marks have since been surpassed.)" Ok, wait a minute. He has 3 records? I get the hits and triples, what is the 3rd? He just said he had one for AB's and runs, but not anymore.

Another was when he was talking about Ron Darling and his first 208 games were as a starter except the last inning of the epic 19 inning game against Atlanta on July 4, 1985. This was on page 191. Well he never said if he won or how he did. It was noted earlier in the book at page 52, but it should have been repeated since the chapter was on Ron Darling.

Those are just two examples. It just wasn't very good I am afraid. I will be selling this off to the used book store as opposed to keeping it in the bookshelf.

[Ron Kaplan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yankee and Shea Stadiums are undergoing their swan songs in 2008. And while the home of the Mets --- which opened during the 1964 New York World s Fair --- doesn t have the historical import as The House That Ruth Built (which opened its doors in 1923), there are still plenty of memories, both fond and disappointing. Many of the players and events associated with the Amazin s are covered in Matthew Silverman s 100 THINGS METS FANS SHOULD KNOW & DO BEFORE THEY DIE. Silverman --- who has made a cottage industry of the Mets, writing or co-authoring three other books about the team --- profiles the colorful characters and real stars in Mets history like Tom Seaver, Mike Piazza, Gary Carter and Keith Hernandez, as well as future leading men such as David Wright and Jose Reyes. He also pays tribute to the non-descript stadium itself, urging fans to head out to the ballpark while they still can and suggesting the best seats to enjoy the game in each section.

[Kevin McAllister · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the positive side I learned a few things about the Mets I didn't know. And remembered a few more that I'd forgotten about. Can't believe I'd forgotten all about Banner Day at Shea. On the negative side,there was far too much repetition in the book. Silverman chose the 1986 World Series Bill Buckner incident as the number one thing Mets fans should know. No problem with that. I totally agree. But he brought up the same series again and again later in the book when writing chapters on Mookie, Carter, Hernandez, Darling etc. etc... Then did the same thing with the 1969 World Series and the players who starred in it. This might work if a reader just browsed through the book picking out a chapter here and there. But if your reading the book cover to cover, the repetition gets really boring.

[Marc Pong · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend gave this to me as a gift because I think he questioned my loyalty to the Mets. I have to say I have always been and will always be a Mets fan. I consider myself to be the fan equivalent of Al Leiter and David Cone, both of whom went on to pitch for the crosstown rival Yankees (In the book they are listed back to back as fact #90 and #91 I believe) All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed 100 Things Mets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die and I learned a whole lot about the Mets. Definitely, if you're a true Mets fan, buy the book and add it to your Mets collection. Also, the book also contains information on other books and websites about the Mets which I found very interesting.

[Christa Sigman · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a new Mets fan, I appreciated this easy to read, interesting history lesson. Book is slightly dated, but it added something that I know of events in recent history the book only speculates for the future. Frank and honest about the not so "amazin" times this book is a great read for any fan of baseball. LET'S GO METS!

[Kevin Frisch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, but for Mets fans only.

[William Herbst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting little book if you don't expect much.