New York Mets Firsts: The Players, Moments, and Records That Were First in Team History

Topel, a New York Mets fan for more than 50 years, brings a high level of enthusiasm for and knowledge of the team’s lore (and baseball in general) to this work of love. He starts with fond childhood memories of watching games at Shea Stadium and then employs a question-and-answer format to convey facts and anecdotes about former and current Mets players, managers, coaches, broadcasters, coaches, and stadiums. The book includes lists of firsts (who hit the first home run, pitched the first no-hitter, stole the first base) alongside a raft of other interesting stories, such as how the Mets got their name, their first mascot, and the identity of their first pianist. The “Who Is Not on First Base” chapter is witty, and the “Who Is in Your First-String Mets Lineup” chapter challenges readers to select their all-time favorite players by position, which is sure to spark arguments. There are no tables of individual or team statistics, but pictures of players and action highlights from the last 60 years abound.