We are at the point in the year when three new versions of my books are out at the same moment. That’s publishing for you. But here is why all three make a great gift for Father’s Day and graduations—“Dads and Grads” being primo summer book pushes in the publishing world. Ready? Here we go!
One sentence summary: The story of the 1986 Mets, the most dominant season in team history followed by a pulsating postseason that turned into the franchise touchstone, and culminating with what happened to the organization in the years that followed.
Why buy for Dads: If you are a dad, you either saw this team or heard enough about the ’86 Mets where it’s time to really learn what happened, so that when junior asks why we root for them instead of the Yankees, you’ll have your answer ready: The Yankees win championships in big numbers; the Mets win championships in big ways. “Now eat your vegetables, kid!”
Why buy for Grads: If you are going on to Flushing University, you’ll probably major in Mets. And “1986 Mets: Introduction to Awesomeness” is a 200 level course. In terms of partying though, the ’86 Mets are at a postgrad level.
100 Things Mets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die (For latest edition, get book with orange letters on front and deGrom on back)
One sentence summary: What, the title wasn’t long and explanatory enough… well, I added lots of new stuff in the third edition about the current team, including Terry Collins, the Fantastic Four staff, updates on last postseason, Mets finances, trades, and Daniel Murphy’s crazy October cracks the top 20 (oh, if only the Mets would have justified this making the top 5).
Why buy for Dads: Dads get asked all kinds of questions about everything by kids, who expect cogent answers. I remember as a youngster watching The Courtship of Eddie’s Father with the Hulk and the kid on the Yankees in The Bad News Bears who wouldn’t throw the ball because he was miffed that his dad, Vic Morrow from Combat, slapped him on the field. What was the question again?
Why buy for Grads: All that fancy book learning and they don’t even know how many different stadiums the Mets have appeared in for a game. Give up? It’s 55. And that’ll be the grade you get on the test if you don’t bone up on everything Mets fans should… you know.
Mets by the Numbers (2nd edition)
One sentence summary: Jon Springer’s mbtn.net site comes to life once more on all things Mets uniform numbers, and the book is even more uniform numbery than before, with all the new numbers and personalities added since the first edition in 2008—edition 2 is still No. 1.
Why buy for Dads: I am just a co-star here, but I will say that I have had some of the best comments from some of the smartest Mets fans about this book. Besides changing every chapter, we added almost all new pictures, thanks mostly to overflowing vaults of Jason Kanarek and Dan Carubia. We have images of Mets from Eddie Kranepool to Bartolo Colon, and numbers are busting out all over.
Why buy for Grads: After studying for 12, 16, or 20-plus years, you may be worn down from all that school reading. This is the perfect book to get you back on track for pleasure reading. The history of the Mets by uniform number, told through stories, uni numbers, and stats. Sit back, relax, and take a number.
Can’t decide which one to buy? Well, buy them all, of course. If you want to buy from me and get an autograph of whatever you want, email me on the site with subject line “Buy Book,” and we’ll get cracking. Or if you want to mail me a copy, I’ll be glad to sign and mail it back. We aims to please.