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Happy Shawnukkah

It's an easy trick to remember Shawn Green's career total of eight walk-off RBI, since it coincides with the number of nights in every Jewish youngster's favorite holiday. Just in case you're having trouble, here's some helpful reminders.

August 19, 1995 vs Royals, pinch-hit single (Jeff Montgomery)

On the first night of Shawnukkah celebrate...That Shawn had 6 hits in his first 43 career pinch-hitting appearances, but since has gone 7 for his last 12. This is the only walk-off pinch-hit of his career to this point

September 28, 1997 vs Red Sox, 2-run double (Tom Gordon)

On the second night of Shawnukkah, celebrate...That this was the last day of the baseball season, and thus the last day in the playing careers of both Pete Rose and Ryne Sandberg

May 28, 2001 vs Rockies, single (Ron Villone)

On the third night of Shawnukkah, celebrate...That current teammate Paul Lo Duca, who was 6-for-6 in this 11-10 triumph, scored the winning run.

September 20, 2001 vs Diamondbacks, home run (Greg Swindell)

On the fourth night of Shawnukkah, celebrate...That Shawn hit a career-high 49 home runs that season, with 10, including this one, coming against lefthanded pitching. Sixty eight of his 314 career home runs have come against lefthanders, as have four of his eight walk-off RBI. And speaking of home runs, the Mets have now had four players hit 4 HR in a game at some point in their careers (Shawn joins Willie Mays, Mike Cameron and Carlos Delgado), though none of them played for the Mets at the time.

August 21, 2002 vs Marlins, double (Braden Looper)

On the fifth night of Shawnukkah, celebrate...That the Mets enemies are now Shawn's enemies. Shawn is 18-for-29 with 4 career home runs against Mike Hampton (more of use to us next season), and a .340 career hitter with 19 home runs in 53 games against the Braves.

July 24, 2003 vs Rockies, single (Javier Lopez)

On the sixth night of Shawnukkah, celebrate...That the only two Jewish Mets to have had walk-off RBI for the team are Norm Sherry and Elliott Maddox.

July 5, 2004 vs Dodgers, sacrifice fly (Randy Choate)

On the seventh night of Shawnukkah, celebrate...That Shawn made his major-league debut, batting 9th as the DH on September 28, 1993. The Blue Jays were playing the Brewers that night and their No. 9 hitter was Green's new teammate, shortstop Jose Valentin. Green's first hit came on June 13, 1994, against the Indians future (now former) Met, Mark Clark and his first home run came on May 14, 1995 against Brewers pitcher Cal Eldred. The other two teammates to homer in that game- John Olerud and Roberto Alomar.

May 15, 2006 vs Padres, single (Alan Embree)

On the eighth night of Shawnukkah, celebrate...That by all accounts, Shawn is a good person, which should count for something. If you want to learn more about him, I suggest you visit

http://www.shawngreen.net/

Those who have been Bar Metsvah'ed (a clever wording I saw elsewhere) know...That Rosh Hashanah (not to be confused with Rosh Ha-SHAWN-ah) this year runs from sunset September 22 through nightfall September 24, which allows those wishing to celebrate the 37th anniversary of the Mets first NL East clinching (September 24, 1969) to do so that evening.

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