When the New York Mets selected 6-foot-6 right-hander Brant Rustich (pictured, left/Photo by UCLA Sports Department) out
of UCLA with the 93rd pick in this past year’s first player draft, it's
pretty safe to assume that he didn't expect this quick of a move
through the club's farm system. Rustich was a college reliever coming off a poor statistical year at
UCLA, but if you watch him pitch, you know why he was the 93rd
selection. His main issue has been control, but a lot of people
attribute the control issues to a finger surgery he had in college (the
same surgery that Phillies pitcher Adam Eaton had).
With the reporting of pitchers and catchers clearly in our rearview
mirror the focus of exhibition games is at the forefront of fans minds
here in Gotham. What better way to kick off the exhibition season then to catch up with
two friends of ours here at Gotham Baseball Magazine: Peter Abraham of
“The Journal News” and Adam Rubin of the “New York Daily News”.
Move over Sports Illustrated, there may be a new jinx in town. The All-Gotham jinx struck this weekend, particularly hard on the
pitching staffs, as starters named to the All Gotham team seemed to
have a rough weekend. (See accompanying story for the All Gotham
team.) No one was hit harder than Army’s Cole White, a third team All-America
selection at the utility spot, and the ace of the Black Knights staff.
White was injured running the bases in the first inning of the season
opener, and did not appear the rest of the weekend.
(Editor's Note) Every year around this time, Mets fans used to gather ouside Shea Stadium, hours, days, even a week before single game tickets went on sale. For the last seven years, Newbergh's Matt Hoey (pictured, center) was at the head of the line, gaining a folliowing as one of the Mets' biggest fans. After hearing from from our friends Kathy Foronjy & Joseph Coburn that Matt's been in an accident, we wanted to share with our readers i hopes that you'll join us in sending our thoughts and prayers to Matt and his family for a speedy recovery - MH
The first week of Mets camp has been filled with much optimism
considering the collapse of 2007. Johan Santana has certainly helped
clean the stench of September and bring exactly what this team needed
going into 2008. You have also heard a lot of something else this first
week: trash talk. Despite the contention of the media and fan base I do
not view this talk as a positive for this team.
While the pros are working back into form, Gotham's best and brightest in the college ranks are already opening their respective seasons. For the third year, Gotham Baseball highlights who's who among the top collegiate players in the tri-state area going into the 2008 season with our Preseason All-Gotham Collegiate Team. Follow their progress through the spring here!
When the New York Mets selected 6-foot-6 right-hander Brant Rustich (pictured, left/Photo by UCLA Sports Department) out
of UCLA with the 93rd pick in this past year’s first player draft, it's
pretty safe to assume that he didn't expect this quick of a move
through the club's farm system. Rustich was a college reliever coming off a poor statistical year at
UCLA, but if you watch him pitch, you know why he was the 93rd
selection. His main issue has been control, but a lot of people
attribute the control issues to a finger surgery he had in college (the
same surgery that Phillies pitcher Adam Eaton had).
With the reporting of pitchers and catchers clearly in our rearview
mirror the focus of exhibition games is at the forefront of fans minds
here in Gotham. What better way to kick off the exhibition season then to catch up with
two friends of ours here at Gotham Baseball Magazine: Peter Abraham of
“The Journal News” and Adam Rubin of the “New York Daily News”. 
Move over 
(Editor's Note) 
The first week of Mets camp has been filled with much optimism
considering the collapse of 2007. Johan Santana has certainly helped
clean the stench of September and bring exactly what this team needed
going into 2008. You have also heard a lot of something else this first
week: trash talk. Despite the contention of the media and fan base I do
not view this talk as a positive for this team.
“
While the pros are working back into form, Gotham's best and brightest in the college ranks are already opening their respective seasons. For the third year, Gotham Baseball highlights who's who among the top collegiate players in the tri-state area going into the 2008 season with our Preseason All-Gotham Collegiate Team. Follow their progress through the spring here!
