Mets Players Share Their New Year's Resolutions

"I resolve to make everyone forget Travis D'Arnaud, Josh Thole, and that other guy (you know, the one with the hair) whose name I have forgotten already." - JOHN BUCK

Merry Christmas Mets Fans: 12 Days Of Metsmas Music Video

Merry Christmas Mets fans! To help you celebrate the holidays, here's a Mets Christmas carol to sing in front of the yule log. I give you, The 12 Days of Metsmas.

A very special thanks to all the readers who sent in ideas on Twitter, Facebook and email.

Fun With Real Kevin Burkhardt Tweets: Christmas Edition

Today on Twitter, Kevin professed his love for Run DMC's holiday hit "Christmas In Hollis"...

Merry Christmas!My present to you is my fave Holiday song ever. youtube.com/watch?v=OR07r0…
— Kevin Burkhardt (@KBurkhardtSNY) December 24, 2012

But what you may not know is that for a brief period in the late 80's, Kevin Burkhardt was an actual member of the group. Here's the proof:

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol Day 12

Day twelve of Metsmas brings us a gift inspired by Liz Merry via Facebook.

On the twelfth day of Metsmas, my ball club gave to me...

R.A. Dickey Rips Into Mets In Rejected First Draft Of Farewell Letter

In Sunday's edition of the New York Daily News, R.A. Dickey talks to the fans of the Mets for the last time in a bittersweet essay. 

It is exactly the kind of classy and heartfelt farewell that Mets fans would expect from R.A. Dickey. But The Apple has done some digging and we've discovered that the lovely tribute was the result of many iterations of his address. We've uncovered his first draft which he penned just hours after learning of his trade to Toronto. In this version you'll see it's understandably more bitter and a good bit less sweet. Here's the complete first draft:

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol Day 11

Day eleven of Metsmas brings us a gift inspired by John Fisher via Facebook.

On the eleventh day of Metsmas, my ball club gave to me...

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol Day 10

Day ten of Metsmas brings us a gift inspired by Ken Belson at the NY Times Bats Blog.

On the tenth day of Metsmas, my ball club gave to me...

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol Day 9

Day nine of Metsmas brings us a gift from Milo Krimstein via Facebook.

On the ninth day of Metsmas, my ball club gave to me...

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol Day 8

Day eight of Metsmas brings us a gift from Michael Testa via Twitter.

On the eighth day of Metsmas, my ball club gave to me...

Fun With Video Games: Travis d'Arnaud Goes "Oppo-Taco" Off Of R.A. Dickey

Since everyone else seems to know how trades will work out as soon as they are made, I decided to let MLB 12 The Show for the Playstation 3 make up my mind for me as to how well the Mets did in the Dickey/d'Arnaud deal. As it turns out they didn't do to bad as the game says the rookie would take the crafty vet to the Pepsi Porch for what the kids are calling an "Oppo-Taco".  Wait, seriously? Is anyone besides Travis d'Arnaud using the term oppo-taco? Can somebody look into this? In the meantime, here's a short clip:

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol Day 7

Day seven of Metsmas brings us a gift from Niel Vuolo via Facebook

On the seventh day of Metsmas, my ball club gave to me...

...Craig Swans that is.

Andy Martino Uncovers Collin Cowgill Sex Tape

Andy Martino is having a busy day. Just hours after exposing newly acquired Mets farmhand Noah Syndergaard as a massive homophobe, the Mets beat writer has uncovered a sex tape featuring the team's most recent acquisition, A's outfielder Collin Cowgill.

Lil' Murph's Diary: Murph Gets Married

Dear Diary,

Your friend Daniel is no longer a happy-go-lucky single ballplayer but rather a married one.  Tori and I tied the knot about a week ago. So now I'm adjusting to married life.

The wedding was a lot of fun and I had a few of my Mets teammates there for support. Ike was there and so were Ruben, Josh Thole, and of course, my longtime buddy David Wright.

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol Day 6

Day six of Metsmas brings us a gift from Billy Kammerer via Facebook

On the sixth day of Metsmas, my ball club gave to me...

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol Day 5

Day five of Metsmas brings us a gift that is pending a contract extension.

On the fifth day of Metsmas, my ball club gave to me...

Mets Hope New Peanuts Special Will Help Fans Cope With Dickey Trade

In an attempt to help Mets fans cope with the impending trade of fan-favorite R.A. Dickey, the New York Mets are debuting a brand new Peanuts special Tuesday night on their SNY television network. 

The half hour special titled "Your Favorite Player Is Leaving The Mets Again, Charlie Brown" will feature the Peanuts gang trying to cheer up everyone's favorite parent-less bald kid as he deals with the departure of another one of his favorite ballplayers.  

Here is the official description from SNY:

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol Day 4

Day four of Metsmas brings us a gift submitted by Ryan Jantz via facebook.

On the fourth day of Metsmas, my ball club gave to me...

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol Day 3

Day three of Metsmas brings us a gift submitted by Milo Krimstein via facebook.

On the third day of Metsmas, my ball club gave to me...

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol Day 2

Day two of Metsmas brings us a gift submitted by Joe Leszczak via facebook.

On the second day of Metsmas, my ballclub gave to me...

The 12 Days Of Metsmas: A Crowdsourced Mets Christmas Carol

Christmas is almost here and that means it's time for Christmas Carols. This year I've decided to crowdsource a Mets Christmas carol. This is code for "too lazy to write it myself".  This year we're doing the 12 Days of Christmas, which is essentially the Christmas equivalent of "the wave". Sure it's tedious and repetitive but it just wouldn't be Christmas without it.

I'll get the ball rolling with the partridge in a pear tree (David Wright through 2020) and then you guys comment, email or tweet me your suggestions for the next days item (i.e. Ten Lords a leaping and such). Each day I'll animate my favorite suggestion and add it the list.

So here we go...

On the first day of Metsmas, my ballclub gave to me...

Photo: R.A. Dickey At M&M's World

Cy Young Award winning pitcher R.A. Dickey displays his famous knuckleball during the unveiling of the new Holiday Village at M&M’S World in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.  (Diane Bondareff/Invision for M&M's World)

R.A. Dickey continued his world tour of awesomeness Tuesday by meeting fans at the unveiling of the new Holiday Village at M&M's World in NYC. Dickey wouldn't answer questions about his contract status but the red M&M did tell us that, "2 years, 26 million is a more than fair offer and the Mets would be stupid not to do it."

When asked about the comments at the Mets holiday party, COO Jeff Wilpon told The Apple that the "Mets are not in the habit of taking contract advice from candy coated chocolate snack foods."

Ever Wonder What's On A Major Leaguer's Wedding Registry?

While stumbling around the internet, it would seem I found the recently married Daniel Murphy's wedding registry.  If you're interested in what the Mets second baseman had on his wish list click here. Congratulations Murph, and for the record, I'm with 28 on that vacuum choice. Those things never lose suction.

Disclaimer: I have no idea if this is really their wedding registry but even if it isn't, it's fun to pretend. 

The 7 Line Gives Mets Fans More Value For Their Opening Day Buck

The Mets Opening Day ticket price increase has been well documented both here and elsewhere. However there are options. As a matter of fact, it would seem Mets fans looking to score Opening Day tickets right now have at least 3 options.

Option 1: Stay home
Who could blame you. With Opening Day prices shooting up this year I can't blame anyone who wants no part of it.   If you do want to go to the game though there are other options.

Meet R.A. Dickey At M&M's World Holiday Village Opening

The Mets Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey will be celebrating the opening the M&M's World Holiday Village in Times Square. The first 150 families or individuals can take a photo with the Mets ace. Here's the official invite: 

Mets Announce David Wright Signing, Unveil New Shirt & Tie Alternate Jerseys

David Wright took to the podium on Wednesday to formally announce his contract extension with the Mets, but there was another purpose for the press conference.  Standing at the podium in Nashville, David Wright unveiled the Mets new alternate uniform which consists of a blue jersey, blue hat with orange bill, and a dress shirt and tie.

Mets General Manager Shifts Focus To David Wright After Striking Out On Cyber Monday

Reports began surfacing Tuesday that the New York Mets have stepped up negotiations with their All-Star third baseman David Wright, offering a multi-year deal worth over 100 million dollars. But why the sudden urgency? We did a little digging and uncovered the real reason the Mets are suddenly so interested in re-signing their star player.

Mets Fans Count Their Blessings On Thanksgiving

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I asked Mets fans to put their bitterness aside for one day and tell me what things about the team they are genuinely thankful for. I received a lot of great replies. Here are some of them. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mr. Met Explains Mets New Ticket Prices To Children

Mets Fans Speak Out on Ticket Price Increases And The All-Star Game

Last week I posted some of my frustrations with my Mets 15-Game ticket plan. I took particular exception to $63 upper deck seats for Opening Day and games vs. some team from the Bronx. The post got a huge response and I received a lot of feedback both on and off the site so I thought I would share and respond to some of it.

Jaime D. via Facebook writes: 
63 dollars for upper deck for ANY regular season game is utterly ridiculous. And this is from someone who always finds a way to get to games.

No argument here. I'm pretty sure it would have been hard to even get 63 bucks on Stubhub for last year's "marquee" tickets which carried a $36 face value.  I guess one way to beat the secondary market is to eliminate the primary market and create a ticket price equally unattractive to both scalpers and actual fans alike?

R.A. Dickey Wins!

Congratulations to the 2012 NL Cy Young Award winner, the Mets very own R.A. Dickey. A true ace both on the mound and off the field, Dickey becomes the first knuckle ball pitcher in history to win the award. Well done, Robert Allen!

Checkmate: How The Mets Used The All-Star Game To Slip A Price Increase Past Plan Holders

As the holiday season approaches it serves as a reminder that the 2013 baseball season is only a few months away. That's right, another season of the whirling dervish of uncertainty that is Mets baseball is hurtling towards us and if you're a glutton for punishment like me this means it's time for me to get pissed about my ticket plan.

If you're a Mets 15-game plan holder like me you probably received an email this week laying out the renewal process. If you opened this email you no doubt noticed the prices have gone up. Let's do some math, shall we?

Upcoming Events: 7 Line Calendar Release Party & Mets Food Drive

Saturday, November 10, 2012: 7 Line Calendar Release Party/Fundraiser & Canned Food Drive
For those of you lucky enough to have gasoline in your tank, why not come down to McFadden's Citi Field this Saturday night for The 7 Line's 12 Months of Orange & Blue calendar release party. In the wake of Super Storm Sandy, the event is now doubling as a fundraiser and canned food drive to benefit the victims of the devastating storm. This year The Apple is an official sponsor of the calendar so stop by and say hi if you can. Look for the giant banner!

Farewell Jason Bay

How To Help: Some Organizations That Need Your Help Aiding The Victims Of Hurricane Sandy

With so many people needing help right now in our area, you may be wondering how you can help. Here are some organizations that could use your help in various ways. If you know of any organization that also needs help please email me at readtheapple@gmail.com and I will gladly spread the word. 

Red Cross donations will provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by the storm. To donate, visit www.redcross.org, call 800-Red-Cross or text the word "Redcross" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The New York Blood Center is urging people to donate blood for those in the New York/New Jersey area. To donate, call 800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.

The Salvation Army has dozens of mobile feeding units and shelters along the East Coast that are working to serve thousands in the most heavily hit areas. Visit www.salvationarmyusa.org to donate.

Feeding America has thousands of pounds of emergency food, water and supplies in the disaster zone that it is working to distribute to the storm's victims. To donate, visit www.feedingamerica.org or call 800-910-5524.

AmeriCares is providing medicine and other supplies to people affected by Hurricane Sandy. To donate, visit www.americares.org.

World Vision is distributing flood clean-up kits, personal hygiene items and emergency food
kits to people hit by the hurricane. To donate, visit www.worldvision.org.

Save the Children is also working to provide relief to families and their children. Visit www.savethechildren.org to donate.

Samaritan's Purse is asking for volunteers to help storm victims. To volunteer, visit their website http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Island Harvest is working hard to get supplies into the hands of those who need it most on Long Island. They are in need of volunteers and supplies. Visit their website www.islandharvest.org or their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/islandharvest for more info. To make donation please call 631-873-4775 or 516-294-8528. 

If you know of any organization that also needs help please email me at readtheapple@gmail.com or tweet me @readtheapple and I will gladly spread the word.