R.A. Dickey Ruined Christmas Apparently

National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey is taking some heat and it's not for anything he did on the baseball field.

You see, Dickey was recently at a New York Mets holiday party that was designed to benefit some of the victims of superstorm Sandy when, what he calls, an "informal press conference" broke out and the knuckleballer was asked about potentially leaving the city he was out there trying to help.

He was not pleased.

And with trade rumors swirling, you can't really blame the guy for getting upset.  I mean, you've gotta think that the guy was there to do what he does...be charitable.

"I feel badly about using a time such as that to become emotional," the 38-year-old pitcher told the New York Post.  "I want to apologize for that because that was not the venue, necessarily, to do that. That was the wrong place. It was an unfortunate situation. I wasn’t ready for what was about to happen. That’s my response."

Oh, but it turns out that the guy DID have something to sulk about.  Just days later, the Mets sent the guy packing...sending him north of the border to the Toronto Blue Jays.

But don't feel too sorry for Dickey.  Dude is under contract with the Jays for $5 million in 2013, but recently inked a two-year extension worth five times that amount.

Merry Christmas.  I'll let you do the math. 

R.A. Dickey Benefits from "One At Bat"

After the season he had, it's pretty safe to say that R.A. Dickey will still be the topic of conversation long after baseball hands out its postseason awards.

But one achievement might have eluded the New York Mets knuckleballer if not for "One At Bat".  You see, of Dickey's National League leading 230 strikeouts...number 229 came against, you guessed it, Adam Greenberg.

As if that wasn't cool enough...the Cy Young frontrunner even responded.

 

 

Keith Hernandez Has Done the Unthinkable

Earlier this month, New York Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez made waves when he announced that he was planning on losing his signature lip sweater.

As you can imagine, word of the potential massacre was not well received among the mustached community.

"Keith Hernandez removing his lower nose foliage is a crime against nature akin to the Washington Monument ceasing to be phallic or Todd Akin being sane," American Mustache Institute Executive Director Dr. Aaron Perlut said.

Well, it happened.

And, yes, by "it"...I'm referring to Hernandez making good on his threat.  On Thursday, dude was publicly shaved in front of Citi Field to the delight of those on hand and in the name of charity.

"I want to thank all of my fans who supported my mustache over the years," Hernandez told the crowd of hundreds, "but it's time for it to take a back seat and let my upper lip some time to shine."

And while it might all be fun and games for the former National League MVP, his 2007 title of "Greatest Sports Mustache of All-Time" now hangs in the balance.

“His title will either be given to runner-up Rollie Fingers, an athlete and role model who has never turned his back on the Mustache American community, or we Keith’s actions may necessitate revisiting the voting effort altogether,” according to AMI chairman Dr. Aaron Perlut. “We are deeply disappointed in Hernandez and feel we have to take this action.”

However all this shakes out, here's hoping the Miami Marlins step in and offer the shorn 'stache a one day contract.

Mets Fan Faces Big Fine

Remember the good old days when you could run on the field and tackle Chris Chambliss after a home run or throw on your tightest t-shirt and kiss random ballplayers?

Welp, those days are gone, my friend, and if you make your way to the playing field now...it'll cost you.

Just ask Rafael Diaz.

Following Johan Santana's no-hitter back in June, the 32-year-old New York Mets fan got in on the celebration and now...dude's not allowed back on the team's home turf.

“The defendant’s antics have resulted in a criminal record, the paying of thousands of dollars in fines and civil penalties, and, perhaps the worse punishment for any true Mets fan, precludes him from ever again visiting Citi Field,” Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.

And if that wasn't bad enough, the Long Island native was ordered to hand over $4000 in civil penalties to the Mets and $1000 to the city.

Keith Hernandez to be Stripped of Mustache Title?

Earlier this week, it was revealed that 1979 National League MVP (and current New York Mets broadcaster) Keith Hernandez was planning on shaving his mustache.

Well, suffice it to say, the American Mustache Institute was none too pleased.

"Keith Hernandez removing his lower nose foliage is a crime against nature akin to the Washington Monument ceasing to be phallic or Todd Akin being sane," said Executive Director Dr. Aaron Perlut on Tuesday.

Now, the AMI is considering stripping Hernandez of his 2007 title of "Greatest Sports Mustache of All-Time" if he goes forward with his plan to strip his face of its lower nose garden.

“His title will either be given to runner-up Rollie Fingers, an athlete and role model who has never turned his back on the Mustache American community, or Keith’s actions may necessitate revisiting the voting effort altogether,” Dr. Perlut said. “Regardless, we are deeply disappointed in Hernandez and feel we have to take this action.”

Your move, Hernandez.

New York Pub Renamed After Chipper Jones

After Jose Reyes bolted New York for Miami, Shaun Clancy, owner of Foley's NY Pub and Restaurant offered disgruntled Mets fans free beer and appetizers in exchange for the shortstop's jersey.

Welp...the Bill Veeck of booze vendors is at it again.

When retiring Atlanta Braves superstar Chipper Jones makes his final appearance at Citi Field September 7-9, Foley's will be renamed "Chipper's".

"Sometimes you have to tip your cap to your opponent," said Clancy said.  "While Chipper has broken the hearts of many Mets fans over the years, New Yorkers are as knowledgeable as anyone and they know greatness when they see it...even when it resulted in disappointment for their hometown team."

In 88 career games at the Mets' former home, Shea Stadium, the 1999 National League MVP hit .313 with 19 home runs and 55 RBI.  Jones ranks behind just Mike Schmidt (60 home runs) and Willie Stargell (60) with 49 roundtrippers against the Mets.

And in case you were wondering, yes, Clancy is willing to offer up free chips (they serve ten different variaties!) for one year to "The Girl with the Chipper Tattoo" if/when she shows her face, er, Chipper's face at popular New York watering hole.

Get on your horse, Megan...that's a good deal!

Keith Hernandez Planning to, Gasp, Shave

Oh.  My .  God.

According to The New York Times, Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez is, well, about to do the unthinkable.

The Hernandez mustache might have a month of life left in it.

He announced the possibility of shaving it last week on a Mets broadcast. But Hernandez, 58, said Monday that he might simply show up for the Mets’ final game of the season, on Oct. 3, with nothing but bare skin between his nose and upper lip.

I'm not sure what the thought process behind all this is, but the former first basemen claims it has something to do with his iconic mustache turning gray.

"I’m not totally happy with the gray," he said. "It’s something I have to get used to. I have more people, on the female side, who tell me they prefer it gray."

In 2007, Hernadez's lip sweater was named the "Top Sports Mustache of All-Time" by the American Mustache Institute.  And as one would imagine, the AMI is not pleased with the 1979 National League MVP's decision to shave.

"Keith Hernandez removing his lower nose foliage is a crime against nature akin to the Washington Monument ceasing to be phallic or Todd Akin being sane," Executive Director Dr. Aaron Perlut said Tuesday.

Now, if you'll excuse me...I need to go off to a corner and cry.

Mets Draft Pick Witnessed Johan's No-No

To say Gavin Cecchini has had a good week would be an understatement.

Monday night, the shortstop from Louisiana was taken twelfth overall by the New York Mets.  But it was dude's Friday that made history. 

After working out for the team earlier in the day, the high school senior was at Citi Field to witness Johan Santana's no-hitter first hand.

"It was unbelievable," Cecchini said on a conference call. "The place was rocking. It really was an awesome thing."

More awesome would have been if Cecchini would've filled in for Santana Monday night when the lefty failed to make it to the Ed Sullivan Theater to read David Letterman's Top Ten List.

Instead the late night legend had to do it himself.

 

Mets Pay Tribute to MCA

When word hit the New York Mets clubhouse that Adam "MCA" Yauch of The Beastie Boys passed away Friday, Justin Turner and Scott Hairston had one thought on their minds.

Tribute.

So, for one night, the Mets starting lineup abandoned their normal walk up music and, in its place, went with something from the Brooklyn-bred trio.  Even David Wright, who normally uses the Beastie Boys track "Sabotage" went with something else.

Here's the line-up/tracklisting:

Ruben Tejada - "Intergalactic"
Daniel Murphy - "No Sleep 'til Brooklyn"
David Wright - "Brass Monkey"
Lucas Duda - "The New Style"
Scott Hairston - "Root Down"
Ike Davis - "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)"
Andres Torres - "So What'cha Want"
Josh Thole - "Make Some Noise"
Dillon Gee - "Body Movin'"

This is a pretty cool tribute...especially when you conisder the fact that the recent inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have a history of namedropping some baseball players into the rhymes from time to time.

"Hey Ladies"  (Paul's Boutique)
"There's more to me than you'll ever know
And I've got more hits than Sadaharu Oh"

"What Comes Around"  (Paul's Boutique)
"Bum cheese on rye with ham and prosciutto
Got more Louie than Phil Rizzuto"

"Sure Shot"  (Ill Communication)
"I've got more action than my man John Woo
And I've got mad hits like I was Rod Carew"

Of course this all begs the question...what would your Beastie Boys walk up track have been Friday night?

Mets Reliever Channels Hulk Hogan

With WrestleMania a little more than a month away...New York Mets reliever Tim Byrdak decided that the time was right to channel his inner "Hulkster" and crash Digital Doman Park dressed as the world's most famous grappler.

"I just want to let these younger guys know that it's OK to have fun and that spring training doesn't need to be so serious," the ten-year veteran told Big League Stew.

And the best part...the fu manchu is real.

Now, if only someone could convince Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson lookalike Freddy Garcia to hit New York Yankees camp camp dressed as "The Brahma Bull" himself.

***H/T Kevin Kaduk over at Big League Stew.***

Gary Carter (1954-2012)

It's one of those stories you hate to read...but catching great Gary Carter has passed away following his public battle with brain cancer.

He was 57.

"I am deeply saddened to tell you all that my precious dad went to be with Jesus today at 4:10 p.m.," Carter's daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote on the family website. "This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to write in my entire life but I wanted you all to know."

"The Kid" played 19 years in the Majors...primarily for the Montreal Expos and New York Mets. He finished his career with 2092 hits, 324 home runs and, of course, that 1986 World Series ring.

And when he retired in 1992...he had caught more games than any other National League player.

I had a chance to talk with Carter shortly after he finished up his first season as the head coach of the Palm Beach Atlantic University Men’s Baseball team and asked him what his most memorable travel experience was.

His answer?

"Probably (going) to the White House after we won the 1986 World Series or maybe my first All-Star game in Milwaukee," the 11-time All-Star said, "the excitement and anticipation was overwhelming."

Something tells me his trip to Cooperstown was memorable as well. 

In 2003, Carter became the first player to enter The Hall of Fame wearing an Expos cap on his plaque.

Reds Legend Was Almost a Met

On his third try, Barry Larkin made it into the Hall of Fame with more than 86% of the vote Monday afternoon.

For those of you under a rock, Larkin was a fixture for the Cincinnati Reds.  Dude help the team win the 1990 World Series, was the first shortstop in baseball history with 30 steals and 30 home runs in a season and, in 1995, brought home the National League MVP award.

All for his home team.

Yeah, Larkin is from Cincinnati, but, if you recall...he almost didn't end his career there.

Let's take a trip down Memory Lane...courtesy of New York Baseball Digest's Mike Silva.

What many forget is Larkin almost became a member of the Mets in July of 2000. With Rey Ordonez out for the season due to an injury, then GM Steve Phillips dealt top prospect Alex Escobar and two other prospects for Larkin. Because of his 10 and 5 rights, Larkin had to approve the deal and was granted 72-hours. A free agent at the end of the season, he was looking for a contract extension, something the Mets were unwilling to do since they still were committed to Ordonez for another 3 years and $17 million dollars and wanted to pursue Alex Rodriguez after that season. Larkin would eventually turn down the deal and remain in Cincinnati. The Mets would deal Melvin Mora to Baltimore for Mike Bordick, and a year later use Escobar as the centerpiece of the Roberto Alomar deal with Cleveland. Larkin would sign with the Reds for another three years and $27 million dollars.

The newly elected Hall of Famer actually addressed the near trade Tuesday at the Hall of Fame press conference.  Simply put, he didn't want to be "big with the Reds and go somewhere as a rental".

Makes sense to me.

A Chip Off the Old Doc?

I've gotta think that when Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry and the rest of the band of misfits from the 1986 New York Mets got together to make a rap song...they thought they were on to something.

I mean, Steve Fuller and Mike Singletary made it all look so effortless when they recorded the "SuperBowl Shuffle" less than a year before.

But I've got news for you "Get Metsmerized!", even though you've included an exclamation point in your title (and a reference to George Foster's "black bat" in your song)...you're no "SuperBowl Shuffle".

Exclamation point!

And if you want some laughs...read the YouTube comments. 

While he might not have gotten his Dad's fastball...it's safe to say that Dwight Jr. (born just before the Mets 1986 championship season) also didn't get his famous father's rapping skills.

And yes, that's actually a compliment.

Lil' Doc's been at the rap game for a while now and his new single is, as the kids say, about to drop.  Enjoy.  And then listen to "Get Metsmerized!" again.



Talkin' Baseball (and "Wives") with Kris Benson

Naturally, the main subject on everyone's minds this offseason has been the Winter Meetings.  That said, another topic of conversation heating things up has been VH1's latest hit show "Baseball Wives".

Plenty has been written and said about one of the show's breakout stars Anna Benson, wife of Kris Benson, but has anyone caught up with the former pitcher to chat about his wife's on screen antics?

Well...I had the opportunity.

HOVG: You're a former number one pick and Olympian...you also started your career with 200 consecutive starts before heading to the bullpen, what would you call your greatest accomplishment on the mound?

BENSON: There's really too many to say just one. Number one overall pick, bronze medal in my hometown, first game in the Majors, coming back from shoulder surgery. Tough Call!

HOVG: Where does that gem you tossed June 17, 2006 versus your former team, the New York Mets, rank?

BENSON: It definitely ranks right up there because I hit my first and only home run (off Pedro Martinez). I won, but it's all about the homer!

HOVG:  It's pretty well documented that you met your wife Anna at a stripclub. Love at first sight or did it take a while for the two of you to hit it off?

BENSON: A mutual friend introduced us as she was about to walk out the door and it was on like Donkey Kong!

HOVG: Also well documented are Anna's comments about some of your former teammates. Did her outspoken demeanor hurt your relationship with your Mets teammates and team management? If so...how?

BENSON: Not at all. It was business as usual. It was more about the media sensationalizing it all, but it made for a good read. Writing about 162 games of baseball gets boring after awhile. Sports people would rather see a player's girl take her clothes off, look hot, and be quite, then keep her clothes on and have a personality and opinion. They're all intimidated.

HOVG: But you're getting the last laugh now with "Baseball Wives"...aren't you? The show seems to be a hit and your wife looks to be the breakout star. Has anything changed for you guys in the past week?

BENSON: Anna's in her element. She was the first wife to make it cool to follow sports wives and for players wives to pose in magazines and spreads. Now everyone does it! Google it up. She's the pioneer and no one gives her credit for that. Oh wait, yeah they do, because she's the only one on NBC, ESPN, TMZ, FOX, you name it! Really though, would anyone be watching if Anna wasn't on there?

HOVG: I can't disagree.  How accurate is the portrayal of the baseball wife lifestyle?

BENSON: It depends on what environment you put them in. Do they party? Hell yeah. Do they get into drama at and away from the field? Hell yeah. But you have to entertain when you're on TV. Everyone wants to see the "true life of a baseball wife". Well, does everyone want to fall asleep or flip the channel after the first 10 minutes?  That's what documentaries are for. Boring.

HOVG: It looks like the producers selected a pretty good mix of "wives" to appear on the show. Who did they miss? I mean...what "baseball wife" did they miss out on casting? Who out there is an absolutely goldmine?

BENSON: I didn't pay attention to any of the other wives. We would run home to do our thing...with the kids that is. When it comes to reality show material, Anna's the only true home run, believe it!

HOVG: What's next for you...where can people find you? Facebook, Twitter, website, etc.

BENSON: I'm Managing Director for a boutique business management firm out of NYC, working under the man who started it all in this industry. I run the Atlanta office. We rep athletes, entertainers, and high net-worth individuals...actually, REALLY cool clients everyone has seen and heard of. I'm on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter at @KrisBenson34.

Kris Benson spent parts of nine seasons in the Majors, with stops in Pittsburgh, New York, Arizona, Texas and Baltimore.  For his career, he compiled a 58-62 record and posted a 4.26 ERA.  On April 9, 1999, he became just the second number oneoverall pick to win his big league debut.

Jose Reyes is Gone...Free Beer!

So, you're a fan of a team and you buy a shirt of said team's superstar.  What do you do when that guy leaves your city and you're left holding wearing an outdated jersey?

Well, if you're a New York Mets fan left with a Jose Reyes jersey...you drink.  For free.

You read that right.

Foley's NY Pub and Restaurant is offering fans of the newly inked Miami Marlin a chance to bid adieu to the popular Mets shortstop.  The bar is offering up a free beer, champagne or appetizers to fans in exhange for their Reyes jerseys.

“New York baseball is feeling a swirl of emotions as Jose Reyes heads south this winter.  We’re giving Mets fans a chance to drown their sorrows, or celebrate, and bid adios to Jose, one of the best and most popular Mets players ever,” said Shaun Clancy, owner of Foley’s.  “By doing this, we can have a little fun and donate to clothing drives for people who are less fortunate.”

Not a terrible idea, really.  I mean, it sure tops burning his stuff in the streets, doesn't it Cleveland?

Oh...and speaking of old faces in new places that, in turn, magically transform into an old place...can anyone find me a Mike Piazza jersey from his day(s) with the Florida Marlins?

Please.

***Props to The Eddie Kranepool Society for the head's up.***

Friday 5: Jeff Pearlman

A quarter of a century ago, the Boston Red Sox were up 2-0 on the New York Mets and just days away from falling victim to one of baseball's biggest blunders.

And while most people just remember Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner misplaying a routine grounder in Game Six...author Jeff Pearlman reminded us in his book The Bad Guys Won! that there was so much more that made the Mets winners.

HOVG: The Bad Guys Won! came out in 2005...how long did you plan to write about the 1986 Mets and what prompted the desire to tell their story?

PEARLMAN:  It wasn't exactly a lengthy process. I was a writer at Sports Illustrated, and I'd never written a book. A literary agent named Susan Reed said, "How about the '86 Mets?" and I immediately loved the idea. That was my team growing up...an iconic bunch from an iconic era. I wish I could say, "I knew from the moment I held a pen that one day I'd write their story"...but I didn't. That said, sure glad I did.

HOVG: I followed the team religiously throughout the 1986 season and, obviously, the stories you uncovered were ones that most of us had never heard.  What is your favorite story?

PEARLMAN: Hmm...probably the flight back from Houston after the NLCS, which opens the book. It was just pure craziness, which you never see in today's game. This raw, carnal, unleashed joy. I always remember Ron Darling telling me about the woman throwing up on their leather outfits. Still an image that can't escape my mind.

HOVG: Were there any stories you couldn't include in the book (legal or otherwise)...that you wish you could have?

PEARLMAN: Hate to be lame...but, no. None come to mind.

HOVG:  A lot of people are familar with the backlash you're receiving with your current tome Sweetness.  What backlash, if any, did you receive from the Mets or their fans?

PEARLMAN:  Very little. Just the opposite. Of all my books, that's the one that has attained a certain cult status. It's among Mets fans, and maybe cult is too strong. But I always have people come up or write me and say, "Man, that book!" Which gives me such great feelings. It's very meaningful, because the book was a genuine labor of love.  Oh, wait, almost forgot. There was one tiny backlash. I appeared on the "Best Damn Sports Show" in LA. My co-guests were supposed to be Ron (Darling) and Len Dykstra. Dykstra never showed up...supposedly he was pissed.

HOVG:  Lastly, of all the members of the team...who would you LEAST like to meet face-to-face in a dark alley?

PEARLMAN:  Easy...Tim Corcoran. He only played a handful of games, and we never spoke. In an alley I'd be embarrassed, because I wouldn't recognize him.

Jeff Pearlman has had a pretty storied career as a writer having written for SI.com, ESPN.com,  Yahoo.com and Sports Illustrated.  In addition to The Bad Guys Won!, he's penned books about the 1990s Dallas Cowboys, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.

His most recent offering, Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton, is on the New York Times bestseller list.

You can follow Pearlman on Twitter at @jeffpearlman.  You can also check out his shenagins on the internets at JeffPearlman.com.

Dwight Gooden is (or isn't) "Dating" Bai Ling

Ask me who Dwight Gooden is supposedly cheating on his wife with and I would have never guessed it correctly.

Matter of fact, you could have tied me up in bloody meat and threatened to dunk me into a sharktank and I still wouldn't have ever gotten it right.

Thankfully, "Doc" hit up the Twitters today and put an end to whatever rumors were circulating.

Alot of rumors r going around about me & Bai Ling. She is my friend just like the other cast members from the show. I am happily married

And to further emphasize his point...the former Cy Young Award winner followed up that tweet with one to VH1, Deadspin, TMZ, Perez Hilton and the New York Daily News asking them to retweet him.

Now, I'm no Robert Littall (what's up Black Sports Online!), but I'm pretty sure that when you hit the interwebs to claim you are NOT cheating on your wife with a certifiably insane actress...you did.

Any way you slice it...the picture below doesn't look good.

HoJo: The Mets are "Anti '86"

This past weekend, former New York Mets All-Star suited up and played for the Rockland Boulders.

Sure, it was a publicity stunt, but the 50-year-old got to play alongside his son Glen and it got him some headlines.  Pretty cool if you ask me.

But now that he's being talked about (kinda), "HoJo" appears to be reaching out to whoever will listen and, if you follow him on Twitter...you read this little gem from Thursday.

that would be awesome! Only problem, front office is "anti '86" believe it or not. It's true

It all started with a fan suggesting to Johnson (and others) that the Mets should bring back Old Timers Day.  And, apparently, dude has his reasons as to why the team has not.

But, frankly, I can't figure out what they are.  That's where Mike Silva from New York Baseball Digest comes in.

To be fair, they did just have a huge celebration in 2006, which seems like yesterday.  Don’t forget, the Mets elected Frank Cashen Davey Johnson, Darryl Strawberry, and Dwight Gooden to the Mets Hall of Fame last summer. There has been plenty of ’86 celebrations over the last five years.

So what is HoJo referencing? Honestly, I don’t know.  Mookie Wilson is a coach on Terry Collins' staff; Wally Backman and Tim Teufel are managers are Double-A and Triple-A respectively.  Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez are in the SNY booth, while Bobby Ojeda does studio work.

Hopefully, Johnson will explain himself, but I'm more confident that he's just going to fade back into the abyss that he resided in for the past sixteen years.

Either way, if he thinks this is going to lead to any sort of employment with the club...he's going about it all wrong.

HoJo to Play Baseball...Again!

It's been close to 16 years since he last played in the Majors (a 3-for-4 effort on October 1, 1995), but 50-year-old Howard Johnson is making a comeback

According to Paul's Random Stuff Blog, the member of the 1986 World Champion New York Mets looking to get back in the swing (see what I did there?) of things.

Read!

This weekend, he’ll be stepping back into action as a member of the Rockland Boulders in the independent Can-Am League. He’ll be playing alongside his son, Glen Johnson as the Boulders close out their inaugural season with a two-game series against the Newark Bears at Provident Bank Park.

“This may be my last go ‘round so it’s a great opportunity to play in a professional game with my son,” said Howard Johnson in a team-issued press release. “How many fathers can do that?”

Initially, I was kinda "meh" about this, but after thinking about it for a few minutes...I'm thinking it is cool.

Sure, this type of thing make independent league baseball look like a circus, but, really, isn't that what it should be.

I mean, if Jose Canseco can take his traveling sideshow (which includes a 52-year-old Tony Phillips) across the country...why can't HoJo cash a check and get in a couple of swings.

Game on!

An Update on "The Kid"

It seems like forever since we've heard anything about Gary Carter's condition doesn't it?

Well, according to ESPN New York...there is some fantastic news from the Carter camp:

I just got off the phone with my mom and I have WONDERFUL news!

Doctor V said specifically that dad's tumors are 80% better! He is very encouraged and very very pleased with these results (as we ALL are!!) There is much less swelling and the tumors are less dense and "less angry". The size is a little smaller but the most important fact is that these tumors are starting to GO AWAY! Praise the Lord - praise the Lord!!!

The plan is now for dad to start treatment that will require 5 days of chemo in a pill form and then he will do Avastin twice a month.

On a side note, Dr. V told my parents a shocking and unbelievable story that we hadn't known until today. When my dad got his very FIRST MRI in Palm Beach County, his tumors were bad; HOWEVER, we did not realize that when he got his next MRI (only 10 days later at DUKE), Dr. V said they had doubled in size. That is how aggressive they were and so this makes the results that much MORE amazing!

Mom and dad are heading home tonight and are so encouraged! We thank you all for praying for my dad and cheering for TEAM CARTER. We rejoice and praise our Heavenly Father for this news!

Back in May, the Hall of Fame catcher was diagnosed with four malignant tumors in his brain after complaining of headaches and forgetfulness.

Following tests, doctors confirmed that Carter's cancer is indeed inoperable, so the news from his daughter Kimmy Bloemers is amazing to say the least.

You can leave well wishes for "The Kid" over at the Well Wishes for Gary website.  Last year at this time, I had a chance to talk with the 2003 Hall of Fame inductee.   Feel free to read my interview with him.