To see the Mets’ spring training schedule, go to Mets.com.

…i might try to be a stowaway next year…

In a report for Forbes about the results, Tom Van Riper says, “Perhaps it’s an omen that things will improve for New York in 2009.”

Speaking of awards…

For the third year in a row, David Wright is the winner of the Fan Friendly Award from I Love My Team, beating out Jeff Francoeur, Jason Giambi, Lyle Overbay and Vance Wilson.

…by the way, i do not reference I Love My Team enough… Johanna Wagner does a great job with it, and i apologize for not linking to her more, mostly because she does not have permalink posts or an RSS feed… but, that’s really no excuse, because it’s still an informative site… keep up the great work, johanna…

Our conversation was truly a step back into Mets history, and thanks to Mr. Reilly’s first person accounts, I felt like I had been there myself.

Reilly’s new book, “The Original Mr. Met Remembers: When The Miracle Began,” is a must read for Mets fans of any age and can be found at iUniverse.com.

Regis Courtemanche: So I have to ask, were you allowed to talk when in costume?

Dan Reilly: “No, no, the Mets just wanted me to wave alot and go up to all the kids. I could never take the head off or anything. I even walked the entire Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade alongside Elsie the Borden’s Cow with that head on.”

Regis Courtemanche: Was it hot in there?

Dan Reilly: Oh, it was terrible (laughs). I have no idea where that head is now but would like to.

Regis Courtemanche: Whose idea was it to have a mascot?

Dan Reilly: We always had the cartoon character Mr. Met in the Polo Grounds, and it carried into Shea Stadium. I was an usher then, and also sold tickets – which we actually counted – at Grand Central for Bob Mandt… Tom Meany, the Mets first PR Director noticed so many kids at the games, and thought we should have a live Mr. Met. So, him and Jim Thompson called me into the office and I thought it was curtains. They asked if I’d be interested. I said I don’t dance or anything but ‘yeah, I’m game.’ In May of ‘64, we picked a doubleheader against the Giants and I came out in the second game.

Regis Courtemanche: What was the inspiration for the book?

Dan Reilly: Well, I love sharing stories and memories. My wife then really pushed me to do the book. Everyone said, just write down a story here and there, and eventually you’ll have a book. And eventually, I did. Regis, I have so many stories from back then I could probably write a few more. I feel like if we hadn’t won in ‘69 though, no one would remember us. That’s why I wrote the book.

Regis Courtemanche: What was the vibe in the clubhouse like back then?

Dan Reilly: Such a great group of guys, I really miss them. Everything was a party. Three-game winning streak? That’s a party. One night, Tug [McGraw] just beat Sandy Koufax and we were supposed to meet up with the guys at the Diamond Club to celebrate. Well, the World’s Fair was occuring right in the park, and Tug really wanted to go to the Irish Pavillion first. I could see trouble coming and needless to say, we never made it back to Shea.

Regis Courtemanche: Who were your best friends on the team?

Dan Reilly: They were all really great, but Tug and Swoboda.  I lived with Swoboda, Kranepool, those were my guys.  I miss them a lot.

Regis Courtemanche: What were your best and worst moments?

Dan Reilly: Oh no worst, no worst. But I really liked Christmas time. We’d all visit the hospitals and say hi to everyone. I can recall the highlights of every year I worked with the Mets from ‘64-’73. I was Mr. Met for three.

Regis Courtemanche: How do you feel about Shea being replaced.

Dan Reilly: Well, it’s sad. That was home, we were there easily 16 hours a day. Baseball’s much bigger now. It was a small organization then, everyone knew and liked each other. I miss those days and hope some of them miss me.

What’s more, he was seen on-air, in the crowd, holding a campaign sign, in back of the Fox News post-debate discussion, which was hosted by Greta Van Sustrand.

If you have this on video, and can capture as a digital file, please e-mail it to me – as I would love to post it on MetsBlog.com.

…Update…11:50 am…

Well, that is disappointing.

First of all, that is not the real Mr. Met.

Second, I can’t believe they made him take off his head.  I mean, nobody wants to see that.

…thanks to Fred, and hat tip to Deadspin for the video…

…Update…12:02 pm…

Apparently, this is the Mr. Met from Late Night with Conan O’Brien, which makes this all the more hilarious.

I can’t believe I haven’t seen this on ESPN before and I wonder though how they all got into that car.

Doyle also notes that Jay Horwitz, the Mets’ VP of Media Relations declined to comment.

…i’m sure that this is a very low priority for jay right now…

…i wouldn’t get in the ring with mr. met, his hands are the size of basketballs, but he certainly is one big target…shame on you christian hansen…

…as of now, Mr. Met is losing to Homer…of course, only 21 people have voted…

…i try not push these sorts of tournaments, etc., but i can’t stomach the thought of Mr. Met losing to a Braves mascot who is clearly ripping him off, you know, with the big head and all…way to be original, Atlanta…

…so, head over to Homer Derby and vote for Mr. Met, if for no other reason than for this, this, this, and this, and the countless other things he does to make him the greatest mascot ever…

To watch the clip, head over to the Church of the Fonz.

…i’ve said it before, and i’ll say it again, the Phanatic is pure evil…e…vil…

The Davie-Brown Index is used by marketers to determine a celebrity’s ability to influence brand identity with the public.

…thanks to steve p in nc for the link…

In the two weeks since the team’s beloved mascot was named to the Hall of Fame, the Mets are 4–10 and have squandered a six-game lead in the NL East.

…i have been sent all sorts of crazy, mystical, super-natural reasons why the Mets are losing, but this one is the winner…i like the mojo rationalization…that’s a good one…i’ll buy it…by the way, the image choice is for you, Johnny G…