Here’s three jerseys to compare.

At the top of the image a 2012 ivory.  In the middle a 2009 snow-white.  In the forefront a 2011 cream.

 

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Comparing the Mets jerseys: 2009 vs 2012 pinstripes
2. You sure 2012 Mets blue isn’t darker?
3. Mets 2012 Jerseys

Here’s what I’m reading, it’s called Wilpon’s Folly and it’s only $3 bucks

Product Description (from Amazon)

On December 11, 2008, in the middle of a busy baseball offseason, Bernard Madoff was arrested for orchestrating a massive financial fraud. Among his chief investors was Mets owner Fred Wilpon, who not only lost a major revenue stream as a result, but is now being sued for “fictitious profits” that he now owes to other Madoff victims. To the tune of almost a billion dollars.How did this happen? Where did Wilpon go wrong, and why does a fraud victim suddenly owe money? The truth about these questions has been largely hidden, but in this short book, the whole story is fully revealed. In this tight narrative, Howard Megdal tells the dramatic financial tale and proves a surprising truth: Wilpon’s thirty-year reign as owner of the Mets is about to end. Perhaps the most public victim of the Madoff scandal, Wilpon now faces a long road, and likely a difficult offseason. Here Megdal articulates both Wilpon’s position and those against him. Like Michael Lewis’ The Big Short, this book unravels the world of a major investment scandal through an entertaining and recognizable story.

I’m not smart enough to know if anything said in the product review is accurate, or if Howard is right/wrong/smart/crazy or a mix of all those things.As a Mets fan though it’s a must-read. Absolutely fascinating and for only $2.99 why not? I blew through about half the book last night while commuting and will probably knock out the rest today. (update – finished it!)

One of my weird quirks is I am often reading multiple books at once. This is one of those times, and the other book I am reading is The Last Icon

You either get Seaver or you don’t (man have I lived so long that such a concept exists?). If you get it then get the book. No brainer. If you don’t get it but have heard old fat guys go on and on about Tom, then get the book.

Two more I will plug are my favorite book of the year, and my favorite Mets book of them all.

And of course don’t forget the Mets Police Holiday store for all your shopping needs.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Can The Wilpons Support An MLS Team? At Twice The Usual Cost, Maybe Not – Forbes
2. Must read of the day: Again, I Choose The Mets
3. Silver anniversary: shake-up in Mets ownership

Here’s two “Mets Police” jerseys.  On the left is the #86 jersey Media Goon got me in 2009 (thanks Media Goon!) which was like a jersey dealer giving me a free taste  Now I have a problem.

On the right is a 2012 Mets Police 12 jersey.  See how the “ivory” is a little darker than the snow-white on the left?

 

…

Unrelated, as I type this post Mrs. Mets Police is yelling at Junior for writing the sentence “Dora learned how to wright her name in the sand.” Hahaha.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Blue Mets jerseys now in stock – and 25% off!
2. Mets 2012 Jerseys
3. Customizable 2012 Mets replica jerseys available

Blue cap tip to Paul’s Random Stuff for this great find…Jeff Marquis’ flickr photo streams of Mets 1986 Spring Training!

This fellow looks quite tired!

More photos here and here because I know you want to see Gene Shalit!

I can’t believe Bobby V stole his act.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Mets 2012 Spring Training Schedule
2. Photos: Mets Store items 2009-2011
3. 1986 Tickertape Parade Photos

Here’s today’s must-read (this is from a few days ago but it has been a busy week)…

Cosell was not amused by the antics of Stengel, Marv Thronberry or the 120 losses the team piled up in its first season. Cosell knew he was under contract by WABC, not the New York Mets. The agreement allowed Cosell to rage against the machine. According to Ribowsky, Cosell’s rants aimed at Stengel and the Mets were the “first real mark” he made as a broadcaster.

Cosell blasted Stengel early and often, claiming the bane of the Mets failure was rooted in “the pitiful example the old man (Stengel) was setting for a new generation of New York baseball fans.

via A gong show disguised as a baseball team | John Strubel Blog.

The Cosell part is awesome but here’s a real nugget:  “Some people, who watched the Mets stumble through their first five seasons cracked jokes,” said Seaver. “I didn’t laugh. I wasn’t brought up on the Met legend; I wasn’t part of that losing history. I never did find defeat particularly amusing.”

And that’s reason 8 million why Tom is the man.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Trust and Loyalty no guarantee | John Strubel Blog
2. Where were you for Game 6? – Mets Blog – ESPN New York
3. John A. Torres: After 34 years, this fan lets go of the Mets | FLORIDA TODAY | floridatoday.com

METS SIGN FREE AGENT RHP JON RAUCH

FLUSHING, N.Y., December 14, 2011 – The New York Mets today announced the club has signed free agent righthanded pitcher Jon Rauch to a one-year contract.

Rauch, 33, appeared in 53 games with the Toronto Blue Jays last season, finishing 5-4 with 11 saves. He compiled a 4.85 ERA (28 earned/52.0 innings) with 36 strikeouts and pitched 1.0 inning or more in 39 of his 53 appearances.

Since 2006, Rauch leads all relievers in wins (31) and has appeared in the second-most number of games (434).

He was 3-1 with 21 saves and a 3.12 ERA (20 earned runs/57.2 innings) in 2010 with the Minnesota Twins.

Over his eight-year major league career, Rauch has also played for Chicago (AL), Montreal/Washington and Arizona. He is 39-31 with 58 saves with a 3.82 ERA (221 earned runs/520.2 innings). Righthanded batters have hit .241 against Rauch for his career, while NL East opponents have batted .230.

The 6-11, 290-pound native of Louisville, KY was drafted by the White Sox in the third round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft and is currently the tallest player in major league baseball.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Mets and Tim Byrdak agree on one year contract extension
2. Here’s the official Ramirez and Torres to Mets announcement
3. Jose Reyes named Mets nominee for 2011 Hank Aaron Award

via On The Black

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Somehow Daniel Murphy’s fault
2. Daniel Murphy on Extreme Makeover
3. Daniel Murphy on Extreme Makeover

Sandy Alderson gives a little insight about the fences moving in at Citi FIeld and what was done to the San Diego Padres field when he was with that organization.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Sandy Alderson Press Conference
2. The victimization of straight-shooting Mets G.M. Sandy Alderson | Capital New York
3. MetsBlog Q&A: Cerrone talks to Sandy about spending | MetsBlog.com

You have until 5pm…

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Mets Coat Drive 12/14
2. Mets coat drive on December 14th
3. More info about the Mets Coat Drive

Justin Turner answered some questions from fellow bloggers yesterday at the Mets Holiday party.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Mets’ Justin Turner dressed as a cheerleader
2. Justin Turner: Robot
3. Santa Murphy and his Elves

Number 28 talks about wanting to win in NYC, Santana, Wright, and now having to play against Jose Reyes.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Somehow Daniel Murphy’s fault
2. Jose Reyes press conference transcipt – Mets Blog – ESPN New York
3. Why Jose Reyes Shouldn’t Give the Mets a Hometown Discount. – The Triangle Blog

Man I love doing this blog.  Yesterday was one of those really cool days.

Somehow I found myself at the Mets Christmas Party.

That’s so so strange.

I had a nice quick conversation with Dave Howard who I really like.

I met Daniel Murphy and whiffed hard on that opportunity and spent the day mocking myself at my Man-Date ineptitude.

I mean really, I got invited to the Mets’ party?  Wow, if I could tell my 15 year old self that one.  (I was invited last year too but couldn’t make it, in case you are keeping score.)

Media Goon and I did a recap last evening and we both felt the same way.   We also felt really good about guys like Murph, or the really charismatic Justin Turner.  I know most of you disagree but I’ll go to war with those guys, and guys like R.A Dickey, and I will take my chances.  They are the kinds of guys I want to root for.  Mix in a MAN like Santana (see 2008′s attempt to keep Mets in pennant race) and I’m in.

Thanks once again to my friends out in Queens.  It has been a thrill to get to know all of you and thanks for letting me and my dopey blog in the building….

..which brings us to the next part.  Goon and I were talking about how newer readers think that the blog is soft.  How far we’ve come from the days when all the comments were about how all this blog was was about complaining!  As always, I write what I feel, and these days I actually feel good.  I love my Mets, and I can’t wait to go to Opening Day with my new VB Day jersey.

But back to the emotions from last night….really, me?  Somehow I got to go to the Mets’ party?  Amazin’

…

In just a few weeks I will be announcing the 2011 Mets Police Awards (aka The Mazzillis) and thanks to all the recent monetary discussions we suddenly have a two horse race for Blog of the Year.

First we have the front-runner (no not that kind, they won’t be around until the Mets are in first on July 4th at which point there will be a million of them, Paul is the guy in the lead in the blog award race) Paul’s Random Stuff who does awesome posts like this find…pictures from 1986 Spring Training!

I’ll dive into those photos tomorrow, we have so much content spillover from yesterday (of course now I’ve tipped off MetsBlog and I bet they link, oh well.)

Then, we have the late charge by Howard Megdal for work like this:

But let’s be extremely optimistic, and estimate the team loses just $35 million next year. That leaves $100 million. That’s just about enough to cover the two more debt payments against Citi Field, the $30 million in interest on the debt against the team, and the $20 million in interest on the debt against SNY.

And it doesn’t address some other massive issues for this ownership group: the $430 million in debt against the team (due in 2014), the $450 million in debt against SNY (due in 2015), or even a penny of the massive legal fees they’ll be paying to fight the Madoff lawsuit, with a trial date set for March 19 of next year. Oh, and they’ll owe $200 million, plus 3 percent per year, to their ten minority investors in 2017.

So the best-case scenario places them right back in this position a year from now—on the brink.

I’m not smart enough to know if Howard is right or wrong but it’s sure another must read.

So Mets fans, who do you think will get the award? Will it be the cude cuddly site that has posts about 1962 Mets baseball cards, or the aggressive financial reporting? We’ll know in two weeks!

…

In other news, I don’t want this one to get lost since there have been so many posts in the last 24 hours – Mets Blue is the same as 2011.  Definitely confirmed.

Lots coming up today, and there were a few posts last night – so poke around and enjoy!

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Link: Mets Win Legal Battle But Still Might Lose Reyes
2. Thoughts on Ticket Purchasing and the Mets | The LoHud Mets Blog
3. Mike Silva’s New York Baseball Digest » Blog Archive » 25 Years Later, Championship Rings Still an Issue

The New York Mets, SNY and New York Cares are The New York Mets, SNY and New York Cares teaming up for the 5th annual Mets “Warm Up” Holiday Coat Drive Wednesday, December 14 at Citi Field.

· Fans donating one or more coats will receive a voucher redeemable for a pair of tickets to a select Mets game in April 2012 and a coupon to receive 15% off regularly priced merchandise at the Mets Team Store on December 14 only. Season Ticket Holders who donate coats will get 20% off regularly priced items upon showing their Season Ticket Holder ID card.

· Coats will be collected at the Seaver VIP entrance of Citi Field between 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Fans may use parking Lot B (Entrance on the north side of the ballpark off Shea Road.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Mets coat drive on December 14th
2. More info about the Mets Coat Drive
3. Mets announce Blue Friday sale

Good job by General Lukas and the Uni Watch (via reader Max) who pointed out that Mr. Met debuted the black with patch 2012 jersey yesterday. Media Goon took this shot where you can partially see the patch.

I know what you’re expecting this paragraph to say, but I signed the Treaty of Flushing so I think it’s great Mr. Met wore a jersey that he enjoys.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. I think Mets blue got darker
2. More photos from the Mets 50th anniversary press conference
3. Mets 2012 Jerseys

Sandy on Fox Business. He says Wright will be with the team for a while (suggesting a long time).

Watch the latest video at video.foxbusiness.com

Or if you’d rather read a transcript you can.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. The victimization of straight-shooting Mets G.M. Sandy Alderson | Capital New York
2. Sandy Alderson: Now, instead of watching the Lion King, I’m on the phone with bloggers.
3. Sandy and the Mets bloggers

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Santa Murphy and his Elves
2. Official Pics of the New Fence from MetsBlog
3. Here’s the official Ramirez and Torres to Mets announcement

Here is a quick little video from the Mets holiday party today featuring Santa Murphy, Elf Turner, and Elf Niese.
Oh and by the way you can thank Boardwalk Empire for making me go with this style song.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Blue Mets jerseys now in stock – and 25% off!
2. Santa Murphy (official video)
3. Seaver is starting to seem old to me

The Mets had their Holiday Party for some lucky local school kids. I never got to do anything cool like that when I was in school. I was lucky enough to tag along with Shannon. I have video that I will be working on during the afternoon so for right now here are some stills.

 

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Quick pictures from the Mets holiday party
2. Blue Mets jerseys now in stock – and 25% off!
3. Have your holiday party at Citi Field

Following up on this morning, Mets blue is the same blue.

As has been discussed before the twill/herringbone whatever it is on the now-old jerseys creates an optical illusion but the blue is the same blue.

I have some side by sides posted for later in the week just because I like comparing jerseys, but it’s the same blue. Done. Move along.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. The blue is the same
2. Mets have discussed changing outfield wall to blue | MetsBlog.com
3. I think Mets blue got darker

I posted several of these on twitter @metspolice.

Turner is quite relaxed and very smiley. Lots of charisma there.

Sandy is cool and calm. If he said “come with me if you want to live” and started running I would follow.

Murphy is also charismatic and has a coolness to his vibe. Cool cool not aloof cool.

Niese a little more soft spoken than the rest.

Thanks again to the Mets for allowing me to swing by. Media Goon will have many more pics and video coming up.

Be sure to check out the Mets Police Holiday Gift Guide for lots of items under $20 and the full Mets Police Holiday Store

Related posts:

1. Mets Holiday Party Pics
2. Blue Mets jerseys now in stock – and 25% off!
3. I meet Murph, freeze.