Last night, former Mets’ righthander Dwight Gooden tossed out the idea of coming up with a nickname for current great righthander Matt Harvey. Doctor K suggested we go with Matt “The Real Deal” Harvey.

As is usually the case when I get inspired, I immediately took to Photoshop and went straight to work and this is what I came up with.

Hey Matt… This one’s for you….

MATT-TASTIC!

Matt Harvey hurled a career-high 8.0 innings yesterday and did not allow a hit until Justin Morneau slugged a solo home run with two outs in the seventh inning. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Harvey is the first pitcher in modern major league history (since 1900) to win each of his first three starts of a season, with at least 25 strikeouts and six or fewer hits allowed over those three games.

Harvey now has 95 strikeouts through his first 13 career starts, the third-most in team history after 13 games. He trails only Nolan Ryan (103) and Dwight Gooden (96). Harvey’s 25 strikeouts this season are tied for the fourth-most in the majors.

Additionally, Harvey became only the third pitcher since the end of World War II to open a season with three straight starts of seven-plus innings and three or fewer hits allowed, joining Nolan Ryan and Jim Rooker as the only other pitchers to perform that feat, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

WOO HOO! On Saturday, MMO smashed it’s all time single day record for unique visitors and hits! Exactly 20,345 different users visited our site yesterday and we had over 1.2 million hits. Of course, our Sandy Alderson interview being on ESPN, FOX Sports, Yahoo Sports, MetsBlog and even a few mentions on WFAN, sure didn’t hurt! Whatever it takes… Thanks everyone!

And for Facebookers, here are some cover photos to show your Mets spirit on your Facebook Timeline:

(Click to enlarge and save to your computer. Upload to your cover photos on Facebook)

http://www.facebook.com/MetsMerizedOnline

]]> http://metsmerizedonline.com/2012/04/mmo-gfx-opening-day-2012.html/feed 0 http://metsmerizedonline.com/2012/02/in-loving-memory-of-gary-the-kid-carter.html http://metsmerizedonline.com/2012/02/in-loving-memory-of-gary-the-kid-carter.html#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:49:12 +0000 Kelly Horn http://metsmerizedonline.com/?p=72387

I’m at a loss for words. Made this today for you, Gary. Rest in peace Kid.

This is one of the first graphics I ever made for MMO. I’ll miss you, kid.

In 2010, I designed this for our MMO T-shirt Shop. I made Retire 8 Buttons too. I hope this happens.

We are going to donate $2.00 from every Retire 8 T-shirt we sell to the Gary Carter Foundation.

I even asked if we should make one with a halo or without…

Well as luck would have it, longtime friend of MMO and frequent commenter, Mr. North Jersey decided to take on the challenge and offered up this clever rendition:

Nice job… I love the hint of Mr. Met in the role of the Creator!

You can catch more of Mr. North Jersey at his site; Real Dirty Mets.

For more of MNJ’s movie poster parodies click here!

No matter what you thought of the loss of Jose Reyes to the Miami Marlins, I think we can all agree on one thing: that Reyes was the best shortstop, infielder, and position player the Mets have ever developed.

No Met ever swiped more bases or had more triples. His enthusiasm, passion and love for the game was infectious and Mets fans loved him from the word go.

Reyes was electric on the basepaths and was a catalyst in the lineup no matter who was hitting behind him.

Watching him leg out a triple had become one of the things I always looked for and loved to see during a Mets game. Nobody did it better than him.

Good luck in Miami, Jose, and thanks for all the memories.

“Wouldn’t it be awesome if Terry Collins would let Beltran play his final days as a Mets in centerfield for old time’s sake?”

How awesome would that be? Do it Terry, do it!

Here are the first of some new Carlos Beltran graphics I designed last night in celebration of Carlos Beltran Appreciation Week at Mets Merized Online. Enjoy them!

Move over Angel, and make way for Carlos Beltran!

Man, I’m really gonna miss this guy!

Look for brand new designs every day this week at Mets Merized Online, Your #1 Mets Fansite!

This afternoon, NL manager Bruce Bochy announced that Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran will start as the National League’s designated hitter and bat second in the All Star Game.

“I like the fact that he is a switch hitter,” Bochy said of Beltran during the All-Star Game press conference. “He gives you another dynamic in that two hole, which will help us.”

In 89 games this season, Carlos Beltran is batting .285 with 13 home runs, 52 runs scored and 58 RBIs to lead the Mets. He also leads the National League with 28 doubles.

Here are a few more of my favorite Carlos Beltran graphics that I designed exclusively for Mets Merized Online this past year…

This Opening Day graphic is one of my favorites. I was thrilled when I found out he would be starting in right field on opening day.

I created this graphic after Carlos Beltran was declared healthy and ready to play, even I, Beltran’s #1 Fan, never expected him to bounce back and become so dominant and so amazing again!

Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy my Mets Graphics as much as I love designing them for you!

Here is a re-post of the amazin’ designs that Kelly created for the 2013 All Star Game, which is expected to be played at Citi Field according to multiple reports, including ESPN New York. Major League Baseball plans to play the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field, though an official announcement may not happen until later this year. Joe D.

The only time the Mets have ever hosted “The Mid-Summer Classic” was in 1964, the season Shea Stadium opened. The nearly 50-year drought is the longest a major league franchise has ever gone without hosting the game, according to SI.com.

Last summer In July, I created four mock-up 2013 All Star Game logos and posted them on MMO. Additionally, we took a vote to see which one our readers preferred the most.

Here are the results of our poll…

Here are the designs that you voted on…

Each design tells a story about the rich history and imagery of our team and it’s wonderful city.

*Click on each design to enlarge and see the graphic in high resolution.*

1. Mets All Star Skyline – The first entry is representative of the classic Mets logo with such aspects as the skyline and bridge and of course the shape.

Ranked #1 with 895 votes.

2. Big Apple All Stars – The Home Run Apple is one of the most popular and familiar Mets symbols. Many Mets fans remember campaigning to save the apple when the team moved from the beloved Shea Stadium to the new Citi Field.

Ranked #4 with 518 votes.

3. All Stars Across the Unisphere –  Arguably Queens’ most iconic symbol, the Unisphere is located in Flushing Meadow Park and not far from the home of the Mets.

Ranked #3 with 567 votes.

4. Mr. Met Is An All Star – A happy Mr. Met sits atop this All Star logo which is in the shape of home plate.

Ranked #2 with 725 votes.

Thanks to everyone for participating!

LGM!

2011 All Stars: Jose Reyes & Carlos Beltran

Jose Reyes was named the starting shortstop and outfielder Carlos Beltran was selected for the 2011 National League All-Star team. The 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be held at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ on Tuesday, July 12.

Reyes was selected to his fourth All-Star team (2006-2007, 2010-2011) and second as a starter. He was unable to play in last year’s All-Star Game due to a right oblique injury and the 28-year-old missed the 2006 All-Star Game with an injury to his left hand.

Reyes started the 2007 Midsummer Classic at San Francisco and went 3-4 with a double, run scored and a stolen base.

Reyes’ four All-Star appearances are the most in team history by a shortstop. Bud Harrelson was named to two NL All-Star teams (1970-1971).

Reyes leads the major leagues with a .354 batting average, 124 hits, 43 multi-hit games and 15 triples. Reyes leads the National League with 65 runs scored, a .369 batting average at home and a .370 batting average vs. right-handed pitchers. He ranks second in the majors with 30 stolen bases and is tied for the NL lead with 185 total bases.

Beltran made his sixth All-Star team and his fifth as a member of the Mets (2005-2007, 2009, 2011). The five All-Star appearances are the second-most by a Mets outfielder, two behind Darryl Strawberry’s seven.

Beltran has hit .417 (5-12) with one double, one triple and three runs scored in four All-Star Game appearances. He missed the 2009 All-Star Game with a right knee bone bruise.

Entering Sunday, Beltran is hitting .281 with 12 home runs and 54 RBI in 81 games. He is tied for third in the National League with 22 doubles and is eighth with 54 RBI and 42 walks.

All spring long as Carlos Beltran sat out game after game in order to as he said “be able to play all the games that count”, the naysayers said he couldn’t do it, he must still be in pain, and that he needed weeks to get accustomed to right field. Where are they all now? After a 21 consecutive games played streak, Beltran has once again demonstrated what a tremendous athlete he is. May I also add that with apologies to David Wright, the gifted and powerful switch-hitting Beltran should be batting third. Sorry if that turns some of you off, but Beltran isn’t really a power hitter and he is perfectly suited for the three hole. What a start to a tremendous comeback season for Carlos Beltran! 

It will be a sad day for Mets fans if these two tremendously talented players never take the field together again. We’ve seen and heard of them since they were teenagers and watched both of them grow up and evolve into stars before our very eyes. It would be a shame to see them eventually split apart because in my heart they are joined at the hip. Wright is off to a slow start and he will come around, but Reyes may shatter half of the single season records in franchise histrory at the rate he is going. Do you know he is second in the National League in Total Bases??? His 75 TB are more than Albert Pujols, Ryan Braun, Troy Tulowitzki and Andre Ethier!!! He is batting an incredible .331 and leads the league in triples and stolen bases. Memo to the Mets: Please keep Jose Reyes in Flushing.

It was only a short year ago when we were first learning about Ike Davis after he was called up to replace Mike Jacobs. And what a year it’s been! If this was a parting gift from Omar Minaya we gladly accept and can’t thank you enough! I have no idea what this kid’s limit is, but for now I’ll just have to say it’s the sky.

I hope you enjoy these and feel free to save them to your computers and use them as you wish!

Enjoy your day and hopefully we will be celebrating a Mets victory!

LETS GO METS!

I just wanted to wish those of you who celebrate on this day, a very Happy and Joyous Easter with your families!

I decided to completely re-design the old “Retired Numbers” design and I based the new t-shirts on one of my newest Mets graphics, check it out:

That’s the bumper sticker I designed (all by hand, thank you very much), then I clipped it, made a hi-res gfx, and dropped it onto these babies! 

MMO T-SHIRT SHOP

New “Retired Numbers” Series

As you can see I added “Shea” to it, and by the way, you can get them in over a dozen other colors including black, khaki, tan, and several others.

It’s a great way to celebrate Citi Field while keeping the memory of the grand old Shea Stadium alive and well in our hearts.

Buy one for yourself and get one for a friend or loved one too, and in the process $4.00 will go toward supporting our site’s expenses. So you’ll be helping us out too!

Lets Go Mets!

P.S. Even more cool stuff is coming later today, especially for all you mommas and soon to be mommas!

It’s Opening Day Mets Fans!!!

I always get so happy around this time of the year and combining my passion for art with my passion for the Mets is one way I like to show off my pride in the Mets. I love see other Mets fans using my graphics to show of their Mets pride too. Hey, we’re the greatest baseball fans in the world and don’t ever let anyone tell you different!

Check out some really cool stuff I’ve been working on!

You already saw most of my Opening Day Graphics this past week, but I had to add one more to complete my series and I went with Frankie Rodriguez! You didn’t think I’d leave K-Rod out, especially when he’s been pitching lights out all spring!

K-ROD IS ON FIRE!

Check out how insanely awesome Frankie’s numbers were this spring: 10.2 innings pitched, 6 hits, 4 walks, ZERO Runs Allowed and 13 Strikeouts!

That is 100% vintage K-Rod. I mean he’s got that whole Rocky Balboa - Eye of the Tiger - thing going on or something, the man is poised for a tremendous season in 2011.

Happy Opening Day Mets Fans!!!

I’ll have some more goodies posted in just a little while and I just think you’re going to love them!

One of the things I’m most excited about this season is watching the continued development of last season’s Mets rookie class, and what a class it was. Ike Davis and Jon Niese both stepped forward in big and demonstrative ways, but when a young 23 year old catcher name Josh Thole replaced Rod Barajas on June 25th, I remember seeing a lot of skeptics. Not anymore!

Thole silenced the crowd with all the plate discipline of a savvy vet and the pitchers all raved about his game calling skills behind the dish. Thole had a fine season batting .277, but with an amazing .377 on-base percentage. Some have compared him to a young Jason Kendall and other still envision Thole as a future number two hitter in the mold of Paul Lo Duca. His power wasn’t very apparent last season, but he showed up to spring camp in February with some added muscle and has been punishing the ball month. Thole already has three homeruns, and his slugging percentage stands at .618 in 55 AB, second only to David Wright! Who says he has no power?!

Here’s to a huge breakout season in 2011 from Josh Thole!

BIG PELF!

Mike Pelfrey gets the nod on Opening Day as he seeks to improve on a 15 win season in which he logged 210 innings and posted a 3.66 ERA in 2010. Pelfrey was lights out at home where he won ten games and had a 2.87 ERA in 19 starts.

GOT DICKEY?

R.A. Dickey came out of nowhere last season and delivered a knock out blow to opposing NL Teams who he dumbfounded with his enigmatic knuckleball. Making just 26 starts, Dickey won 11 games and posted a 2.84 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 174 innings pitched. It was a breakout season for the 35-year old who was rewarded with a two-year deal this offseason. Dickey has been tabbed to start the Home Opener for the Mets in the 2011 season.

NEW MMO T-SHIRTS!

Angel Pagan T-Shirts!

I designed some T-Shirts for Angel Pagan last season, and they are reasonably priced for under $20 bucks in our MMO Mets T-Shirt Shop! Check out some our new designs while you’re there.

After a solid debut last season that saw Ike finish second on the Mets in both home runs and RBI’s the sky’s the limit for Ike Davis. Put away any fears about a sophomore slump for this slugger, Ike’s already primed for a big season and leads the Mets in homers this spring with 13 RBI in 19 games played!

IKE, IKE, BABY!

SPEED KILLS BABY!!!

WREAKING HAVOC IS HIS SPECIALTY!

After two injury marred seasons, Jose Reyes is as healthy as ever and is bent on proving all the nay-sayers wrong. He’s focused on dispelling the myth that speed is overrated and he is poised for a big season in his walk year. Let’s hope the team sees his value to this organization and locks him up for years to come. I don’t care what anybody else thinks, Jose Reyes is a catalyst and puts the charge in our lineup. When healthy, he’s the most dynamic weapon in our arsenal. Is there anything more exciting than watching a Jose Reyes triple! Run like the wind, Jose!