Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

  With Francisco Lindor and Jorge Polanco still sidelined, the Mets reached out for backup infield help on Monday, picking up Zach Short on waivers.  A New York area product, raised in Kingston and a graduate of Fairfield, Connecticut's Sacred Heart University, Short got into 23 games with the Tigers earlier this year and has also played for the Astros, Braves, Red Sox and the Mets -- where he appeared in 10 games two years ago. Defense is his calling card: his career batting average is .172.  I saw Short in mid-April playing for the Nats' Triple-A club in Rochester. Jonathan Pintaro has been with the Mets before -- the first time in June 2025.  The righthanded reliever also saw action in three games this season, earning an invitation back with solid bullpen work at Syracuse -- after Christian Scott's hip injury that landed him on the I-L.

...you share it with Hideki Matsui .  The former Japanese home run champ lived up to his nickname "Godzilla," making history as the first Yankee ever to hit a Grand Slam in his first home game (April 8th, 2003)!  He immediately became a mainstay of the team’s offense alongside Jeter , A-Rid and Posada.  Matsui ended his seven Yankee seasons with an even bigger headline -- earning World Series MVP honors after hitting .615 with three homers and eight RBIs in the six-game triumph over the Phillies. These these photos are all from 2009 games -- a March 16th Grapefruit League game at Steinbrenner Field and a May 22nd interleague game at Yankee Stadium, both against the Phillies and an August 25th matchup with the Rangers.  

Good timing on my part for being in Philadelphia last Wednesday where I watched the National League's Pitcher of the Month for May.  Cristopher Sanchez baffled the Padres hitters early on, taking a no-hitter into the 4th inning while stretching his consecutive shutout streak past 50 innings -- the longest ever by a lefty -- until, on this swing, Jackson Merrill singled in the 7th for San Diego's first run of the night. While Sanchez never matched Orel Hershiser's record of 59 scoreless, it places him in some great company (Don Drysdale, Walter Johnson and Jack Coombs stand 2-3-4 on the list, with the Phillies ace, fifth).  And it highlights a remarkable month where he not only gave up zero runs, but struck out 45 batters while walking only three !  The Citizens Bank Park video board offered this salute while the crowd of more than 40,000 gave Sanchez a minute-long standing ovation.  

...you share it with Steward Berroa .  The Phillies recently promoted the former Blue Jay from their Lehigh Valley farm club for his combination of speed, defense and (seen in an April 30th game) butting ability. Andrew Heaney pitched for six clubs over his 12 big league seasons (2014-'25).  Bookended by the Marlins and Dodgers, I caught him in a Yankee uniform following a 2021 mid-season trade.

After missing six weeks with wrist and achilles injuries, Jorge Polanco began his rehab assignment last Wednesday.  The Mets infielder was the DH for AA Binghamton against the Red Sox affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs.  And while Polanco got off on the right foot, with a hard hit single to right field his first time up, he wasn't the only reason to be on hand at Mirabito Stadium. The Sea Dogs, which graduated top Boston prospects such as Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell and Roman Anthony, in recent seasons, have another heavily touted youngster in 2026.  Shortstop Franklin Arias  looked worthy of being recently named as the #3 overall prospect in the minors by The Athletic.  Making strong contact and fielding slickly, the 20 year old Dominican was clearly the best player on the Portland roster.  Wednesday, he delivered two hits, including his 12th homer of the season.  As of this morning, he's batting an impressive .331, getting on-base more than 40% o...

...you share it with Steven Matz .  The Long Island native broke in with the Mets during their last pennant winning season (2015).  Joining Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom in a talented young rotation, he never achieved the consistency the Mets hoped for and has since moved on through the Blue Jays, Cardinals, Red Sox and this year, the Rays -- where he's become a steady back of the rotation starter. There's also a player from New York's other team:   Charlie Hayes ' image will forever be etched into Yankees history for catching the foul pop that ended the 1996 World Series -- the Bronx Bombers' first title since 1978, and first of the Jeter/Rivera dynasty.  I snapped this image of the longtime MLB 3rd baseman at the 2011 Old Timers Day. Who else is in today's birthday circle?  Pirates ace Paul Skenes .  2024's NL Rookie of the Year and 2025's Cy Young winner is already ranked with Ohtani, Sanchez and Skubal as the best pitcher in baseba...