This time on Memorabilia Review we will take a peek at the first program put out by the Mets for the 2013 season.
This issue is Volume 52, Issue #1, cover price is $5. First of 5 different issues that the Mets are scheduled to produce in 2013 (April 1st, May 20th, June 28th, August 6th and September 15th), and, as it has been for quite some time now, it is a Professional Sports Publication production and clocks in at 168 pages. Pretty stormy background on the cover with David Wright swinging away on the cover. This marks Wright’s 11th time on the cover, which ties him with Al Leiter for the second most times appearing on the Mets game program cover.
The caption simply says, CAPTAIN WRIGHT but it has a Twitter hashtag underneath, #VOTEWRIGHTNOW which is the Met official “hashtag” to promote All Star Game voting, specifically David Wright. Speaking of the All Star Game, the 2013 ASG logo, Citi Field Logo’s and Mets.com logo are all emblazoned on the cover.
Feature articles are on the history of Met All Stars, which is this issue’s bi-lingual piece and includes a run down of the schedule for All Star Week in July, David Wright’s ascension to team captain, Bobby Parnell taking over the closer role, and a look at newly acquired catchers John Buck and Travis d’Arnaud.
The usual departments are represented;
The 2013 schedule, and ticket info.
The Around The Bases capsule previews of upcoming homestand opponents. This issue looks at the Padres, Marlins, Nationals, Dodgers, Phillies, White Sox, and Pirates. As well as Rookie Watch spotlights on Jedd Gyorko of the Padres, and Phillippe Aumonte of the Phillies. And there is also a page about the Mets and social media, which lists several Twitter feeds for fans to follow, as well as several player feeds. And finally, a two-page piece advertizing the Cirque Du Soleil performances in Citi Field’s parking lot from this Spring.
This is followed by a 4-page Big Picture piece previewing the season. This is followed by a promo piece for the All Star Game voting, followed by one on Howie Rose’s new book, appropriatley titled Put It In The Book! and a look at the Master Chefs at Citi Field.
Throughout the book are scattered full page action shots under the banner “Mets All-Stars of the 1960s.” Represented are Jerry Grote, Ron Hunt, Cleon Jones, Jerry Koosman, and Duke Snider.
The David Wright feature is followed by a brief writeup on the Metropolitan Lacrosse Classic that was held at Citi Field in March.
The scorecard, once again is the same for the entire length of the homestands the issue covers, follows the Parnell feature, and features a Mr. Met poster. The catching corps feature follows the scorecard.
The next regular department is In The Community, and it spotlights Mets chipping in with the Sandy relief efforts, the annual holiday party and food drive, blood drives and Student Athlete Leadership Conference Series.
This is followed by a 5-page look back at the 1973 National League Champions, written by Marty Noble for the program of this past January’s New York Chapter of the BBWAA’s annual dinner.
Prospect Profile is the next regular department, and Noah Syndergaard, acquired in the offseason R.A. Dickey trade, gets the capsule profile treatment.
Met merchandise gets a one page look, specifically the new for 2013 alternative game cap and blue home and away uniforms. 2012’s Banner Day is also given a one-page spotlight as well. And following that is a one-page catching up feature called All-Star Alumni Profile. This issue looks at the first Met to start an All-Star Game, Ron Hunt.
Then you get the usual Kids Pages, Citi Field information, and the On The Air headshots of the broadcast crews to wrap up the book.
In all, another solid outing by the Met program crew. Say what you will about the team, and the ballpark itself, the Mets have been producing quality game day publications for quite a long while, and 2013 is more of that same.