Transplanted ex-Mets on the MLB Hall Of Fame Ballot

The ballot for the 2009 Hall Of Fame was released, with a bunch of names on it, but let's look at the notable ex-Mets:

Jesse Orosco
David Cone
Mo Vaughn
Jay Bell
and some guy named Rickey Henderson.  Wonder if Jay Bell will wear a Mets cap if he makes it in?

Mets News: 7 Packs Will Not Be Offered at Citi Field in 2009

Past holders of Shea Stadium 7 Packs/8 Packs received letters in the mail today that 7 packs will not be available at Citi Field next year but *GREAT NEWS* they'll be able to buy a 15 Game pack in a couple weeks.

I have not missed an Opening Day in as long as I can remember. For the past few years, Opening Day sold out so quickly that the only way my friends and I could score tix to the home opener was to buy a 7 or 8 game package that included Opening Day. A few years back it was a pretty good deal, as the package would also include a vs. Yankees game and other choice games. Then they pulled the Yankees games out of the packs but left in other good games. Then they upped the pack to eight games and reduced the quality of the oppponents. Last year's Opener Pack was so pathetic, filled with weeknight games to lousy opponents... Now they've upped the pack to fifteen games! You be the judge:

If you NEED to be at Opening Day, this is your shot: A 15 Game package, starting at $269:

Monday	April 13	7:10 p.m.	San Diego Padres
Tuesday	April 28	7:10 p.m.	Florida Marlins
Thursday	May 7	7:10 p.m.	Philadelphia Phillies
Tuesday	May 12	7:10 p.m.	Atlanta Braves
Wednesday	May 27	7:10 p.m.	Nationals
Thursday	June 11	7:10 p.m.	Philadelphia Phillies
Thursday	June 25	1:10 p.m.	St. Louis Cardinals
Thursday	July 9	7:10 p.m.	Dodgers
Tuesday	July 28	7:10 p.m.	Colorado Rockies
Monday	August 3	7:10 p.m.	Diamondbacks
Monday	August 17	7:10 p.m.	Giants
Thursday	August 20	7:10 p.m.	Atlanta Braves
Monday	August 24	1:10 p.m.	Philadelphia Phillies
Wednesday	September 9	7:10 p.m.	Florida Marlins
Tuesday	September 22	7:10 p.m.	Atlanta Braves

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ticketing/season_plans.jsp

So, this will in all likelihood be the first year I don't make it to Mets Opening Day. Even if I were willing to spend the $269 there's no way I'd be able to make it to many weeknight games in Queens since I live and work in Central Jersey.

Heat is On Manuel: Bobby Valentine on Japanese Farewell Tour in 2009

While Jerry Manuel got the Mets to perform well enough to have his "interim" tag removed as manager, the two year deal he recieved offers no guarantees for a long tenure at the helm.  And with the news today that Transplanted ex-Mets manager and fan favorite Bobby Valentine will not be offered a contract extension by The Chiba Lotte Marines after his current four-year deal expires at the end of 2009 season, the heat is offically on Jerry Manuel.  The media loves Jerry because of his candor, but Mets fans have him on short leash after the September collapse of 2008.