Does Carter Really Deserve To Have His Number Retired?

Photo: BaseballBacks (Flickr.com)

There has been talk recently as to what numbers the Mets should retire (or should have already retired).

There are the usual suspects: Keith Hernandez and Mike Piazza, but then there has been Gary Carter.

Now, I'm not doubting that Carter was a great contribution to the Mets, both on the field and in the clubhouse. He will forever be a fan favorite. I question the timing of the fans requesting that his number be retired.

Carter has been battling Stage 4 brain cancer since May, and it was announced in the past week that his health is rapidly declining. I wish Carter the best, and nothing would be better than to hear that he will survive this, but should a cancer diagnoses lead to the retiring of his number?

At this point, I feel that retiring his number would just be for sympathy, not because of his years as a Met. That, in my opinion, would be an insult to Carter.

If I were him, I wouldn't want this to happen because I am sick and the fans feel like they need to do this for me. I would want this honor because I truly deserved it.

Mets: A Whole Lot Of Nothing Happening Here

No news is good news, right? 

There has been absolutely nothing, zilch, nada happening with the Mets the past few days. Until something fantastic comes along to share with you, I'll just fill you in on a little gift I received this weekend.

My aunt and uncle have been going through all of the stuff in their attic and my uncle ran across a few Mets goodies.

One of the items was the New York Mets 1986 Yearbook. The second was the book, If At First...A Season With the Mets, by Keith Hernandez and Mike Bryan.

I'll be sitting down to read Hernandez's and Bryan's book in the next few days. I have to be honest with you, I haven't read too many books regarding the Mets.

With that, I ask you this question: What is the best book you have ever read about the Mets?