A look back at the Mets 50th anniversary season

The 2012 season marked the 50th anniversary of the New York Mets franchise. While the Mets season commenced with the trade of Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays in December, the past 12 months provided many opportunities to catch up with former Mets as they talked about their experiences in Flushing in celebration of the team's 50 years in baseball. Below are links to exclusive interviews with players, some more familiar than others that might have went under your radar in 2012.

For Choo Choo Coleman, It's a Homecoming Long Delayed - Jan 21, 2012

Mets and Yankees Legends Uphold the Spirit of Joe DiMaggio at Legends Game  Feb 4, 2012

Gooden Deeply Saddened by the Loss of Batterymate Carter Feb 25, 2012

Killeen Was a Cut Away From Making the Mets in 1962 Feb 28, 2012

Former Met Alfonzo Open to a Return to Professional Baseball Apr 12, 2012

Catalanotto Reveals the Other Side of the Game in New Book Heart and Hustle May 5, 2012

R.A. Dickey Chronicles a Capricious Journey in Wherever I Wind Up May 17, 2012

Torres Continues to Battle His Demons in New Documentary Gigante May 31, 2012

Shamsky Shares the Spirit of 69 in Queens with Mets Fans June 20, 2012

Ed Kranepool Disappointed with David Wright's All-Star Starting Snub, July 4, 2012

Mets Heroes Millan and Staub Looking for the Team to Return to its Winning Ways Jul 25, 2012

Harrelson Preaches the Values of the Long Island Ducks at Hofstra University, 2012

Franco Continues to Carry the Torch for New York Baseball August 7, 2012

Dickey Teaches the Life Lessons of the Knuckleball at Citi Field Kids Program August 8, 2012

Former New York Mets Pitcher Myrick Passes Away at 59 August 25, 2012

Harry Parker, Member of 1973 New York Mets Dies at 64 August 31, 2012

Shea Stadium Will Always be Home for Mookie Wilson September, 18, 2012

Howard Johnson Leads the Swing at the Harrison Apar Field of Dreams Golf Classic October 10, 2012

Darryl Strawberry's Restaurant in Queens to Unexpectedly Close October 14, 2012

Former Met Steve Springer Now Preaches Quality At-Bats in His Teachings October 14, 2012

Hicks' Heroics Helped the Mets to Slay the Giants at the Polo Grounds in 1963 October 30, 2012

Joe Ginsberg, 86, Catcher for the 1962 New York Mets November 5, 2012

 

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Edgardo Alfonzo mulls a return to baseball in 2012

Edgardo Alfonzo was on hand Tuesday afternoon at Citibank in Manhattan, appearing as part of the outreach efforts of the New York Mets Alumni Association presented by Citi. Alfonzo beamed with pride while greeting the crowd of more than 200 people that came to visit the beloved infielder.

Edgardo Alfonzo / N. Diunte

“[I] always appreciate the Mets for having me involved in these activities, to [see] my people,” said Alfonzo. “My people [are] the fans who really supported me during my career in New York. One way to pay [them] back is to do this. I feel happy to do this, to be a part of the organization and to tell them what I’m doing right now.”

The 38-year-old former All-Star looked in good enough shape to take the field, due in part to his recent participation in the Venezuelan Winter League where he batted .267, playing on the same team as current Met infielder Ronny Cedeno. Alfonzo was often asked on Tuesday about a return to professional baseball. He left the door open about playing this season.

“I really enjoy playing baseball and that’s why I played winter ball this year. [I] had a good time over there. … I’ve been training and getting ready for [this season].”

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Mets legend Edgardo Alfonzo to appear at Citibank in Manhattan on April 10th

Edgardo Alfonzo, the All-Star infielder for the New York Mets from 1995-2001, will be appearing as part of the New York Mets Alumni Association presented by Citi at the Citibank branch at 1155 Avenue of the Americas (between 44th and 45th streets) on Tuesday, April 10th from 12:00 to 1:30 pm.

The verstaile infielder played flawless defense at third base, second base and shortstop during his tenure with the Mets, earning a feature on the September 6th, 1999 cover of Sports Illustrated alongside teammates John Olerud, Rey Ordonez, and Robin Ventura with the title of, The Best Infield Ever. Alfonzo won a silver slugger award in 1999 and was named to the National League All-Star team in 2000.

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