Author Commentary:
“I coulda been a contender” is the refrain for the 2008 Mets, the final season at Shea Stadium—but oh, how they did contend! The Mets moved up 10 games in the standings from Jerry Manuel’s takeover in mid-June until mid-September, they survived Wagnerian meltdowns of the closer’s mouth and arm, they watched Carlos Delgado go from reviled to revered, they were held together by minor leaguers right until the last game, and they nearly pulled it off. And when the season was said and done, they put together one of the most moving ceremonies any stadium has closed with…and Keith Hernandez is your guide through it all, from his perch upstairs to his place on the field to Shea Good-Bye.
A batting champ, MVP, and the first team captain in Mets history, this 11-time Gold Glove winner is the golden voice in the booth for Mets TV broadcasts for more than a decade. He recounts everything that happened in 2008, including many events from earlier in his life: how he wound up on Seinfeld, choosing his bats and uniform number, his take on steroid users, his shock at the Johan Santana deal, his enthusiasm about the up-and-coming youngsters who helped the Mets stay in the thick of the race, and what’s going through the minds of veteran Mets in a season’s crucial moments. He analyzes game situations like only Keith can: with insight, strong commentary, and an All-Star sense of humor.
Illustrated, hardcover, and at 314 pages, it is bulging with tales about Keith’s youth, his career, and his continuing passion for the game. It’s a must-have for the Mets fan.
$12 + s/h