Normally when I sit at a game with Greg from Faith and Fear, I try to bring with me a couple of really challenging trivia questions. Friday night, I came, as the Giants did, with nothing.
He hit me with a good one...
What do the combination of
Andre Dawson
Gary Varsho
Ryan Theriot
have in common?
I'll acknowledge being stumped at the trio's distinction, which I'll share momentarily, after allowing you to ponder for a few moments.
When I woke up this morning and web-surfed a bit, I discovered that Angel Pagan had made himself part of a significant trio in Mets history.
First Mets To Hit Leadoff HR in Home Ballpark
Polo Grounds- Felix Mantilla (1962)
Shea Stadium- Billy Cowan (1965)
Citi Field- Angel Pagan (2009)
It only took three home games for Mantilla to make the list, but it would take a bit longer for a Met to christen Shea with a leadoff home run.
Cowan hit his on June 29, 1965, but it would be rendered insignificant by later long balls from Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews in an 8-6 win for the Braves over the Mets.
Cowan's name is actually more appropriate for another list that Greg and I discussed on the 7 train on the way home from Shea. Who are the 100 Worst Mets Of All Time?
Perhaps one of us will answer that question someday. For now, here are Cowan's credentials.
* A .179 batting average
* 3 home runs and 9 RBI
* A Jeff Francoeur-esque 45 strikeouts and 4 walks
True Metophiles know...
Andre Dawson was Tom Seaver's last batter faced as a Met.
Gary Varsho was Dwight Gooden's last batter faced as a Met.
Ryan Theriot was Pedro Martinez's last batter faced as a Met.
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