My Most Ambitious Undertaking Part I (The Infield)

(Editor’s note: This post may look a little fishy to some of you out there, but allow us to clarify three things at the outset. Cousin Tonks was completely unaware that a movie named Game 6 is slated to be released this year. He was also unaware that I had asked the guys over at Misery Loves Company about this movie. He was also unaware that they had written a post with the same theme as this one. In the interest of good faith, however, here's a link to Misery Loves Company, so if interested you can read their iteration on the theme explored by Cousin below: http://nextyear.blogspot.com.)

In the months leading up to the release of this movie you will likely see many posts like this on various websites. Hell, if you told me we'd see a post like from Old Sip in the coming months I’d believe it. But just to be clear, Cousin Tonks came up with this post on his own, with no suggestion from A.F.O.M.G. or Sippy Momo. That all said, enjoy.)

Cousin checking back in, as Sip readjusts to Western Time. So as we have rehashed over here at Yankees2000, It is a very important anniversary for our Beloved Metropolitans. That’s right, 20 years since the Bad Guys Won. A story that is so ambitious and entertaining, that it could clearly be a blockbuster movie. So, I have decided to cast said movie, and for the most part used guys who will do the work basically for free. This will be a three part series, starting with the infield.

C, Gary Carter. This one is easy. A slow, team leading catcher with a head full of curly locks. I can think of an actor who played that roll to a T. That’s right, the man who gave the Oscar Caliber performance TWICE as Jake Taylor, Tom Berenger.

Now, as I peruse IMDB.com I see that Berenger he is between the voice of Einstein in Firedog and is attached to the title roll in Jonathan Toomey as well as a role in a TV miniseries based on the work of Stephen King. Berenger’s always been highly versatile and durable, so I think he could definitely fit in some time as “The Kid”.

Berenger would have to show some serious range to tap into Carter's inner and outer herb, but as he proved with last year's miniseries event "Into the West", you can never count Berenger out. Look for him to steal the show and finally get the hardware he so unfairly did not receive come Oscar season 2007.

1B, Keith Hernandez. Now, I don’t think it would be far fetched that this ego-maniac would try out for the roll himself, and if turned down, not give up his naming rights for the film. I am sure he feels his spot on “Seinfeld” has more than qualified him as a lead in a full feature length film.

However, assuming that doesn’t fly, I think with his newfound stellar ‘stache for “My Name is Earl” already in play, Jason Lee could handle the roll. As everyone else has in the Kevin Smith world, Lee has done a stint in rehab (OK maybe just Jason Mewes, and Ben Affleck), which would should Lee to tap into the inner demons that plagued Hernandez during his descent into cocaine addiction.

However, if a bitter-at-not-playing-himself Hernandez does not give up his naming rights as I foresee, Lee’s jersey might have to say “1B Mets”. It is sort of like in the original Tecmo Bowl when Randall Cunningham would not sell his name to the game and was simply QB Eagles. (Hey Randall, you weren’t fooling anyone.)

2B, Wally Backman. If anyone knows how to be a flash in the pan and then fade into obscurity only to have a troubled past catch up with him, it is Corey Feldman. Backman was an average utility player at best for most of his career, but came alive in 1986. A career .275 hitter, he hit .320 in that magical season.

Backman resurfaced years later in a bid to take over the reins of those pesky Diamondbacks, only to get fired four days after getting hired for numerous indiscretions including DWI and Harrassment Charges that surfaced. Feldman followed a similar path with a huge splash in the spotlight only to have comebacks stifled by legal and substance abuse problems.

MI, Tim Teuful. This one is easy, the only problem will get this man to leave the Singing World to enter the Big Screen. That’s right, only Ricky Martin can shake his hips to the level of the Teuful Shuffle (It drives the fans in Cleveland Crazy!)

SS, Rafael Santana. This silent but consistent role player has always been overshadowed by a more talented, more boisterous team. Much like this actor (until recently) has always been overshadowed by a more famous and boisterous older brother. You guessed it, Charlie Murphy. Maybe Raphael will break through out of the shadow much like Charlie did with Chappelle’s Show.

(Editor’s note: I was reminded Sunday night of how Rafael Santana was not mentioned once in the 1986 Mets Tape. Does anyone know what gives with that? Was he the one who provided nose candy for half the roster or what?)

3B, Ray Knight. Seemed like an all around good guy, even willing to marry an ugly woman (golfer Nancy Lopes). Was the biggest thing in the world during that series, but the rest of his career was just kinda there.

For that reason, I would have to say Alex Winter, better known as Bill Preston or even better known as the guy standing next to Keanu Reeves in the Bill and Ted movies. Unlike Feldman who succumbed to drugs and partying, it seemed like this guy just went away after the Bill and Ted movies.

It could be argued that he was the stronger player than Keanu, but somehow Mr. Reeves went on to bigger and better, where Alex just didn’t. Through an IMDB search, I looked up his wife, Sonya Dawson, but couldn’t find any pics. I doubt she is as ugly as Lopes though.

That’s all for now. Look forward to the outfielders and pitchers in upcoming posts.

- Cousin Tonks