When an 18-year-old Bret Saberhagen reported to Royals camp, deeply tanned in flip-flops, a flowered shirt, and white-rimmed sunglasses, pitcher Mark Gubicza thought, ‘Who is this guy?’ Those kids from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" really do exist.

In Omar Minaya's endless quest for a reliable fifth starter, he signed Jose Lima and Livan Hernandez on this date in 2006 and 2009, respectively.

New York Mets related news for February 14, 2013

The Mets' GM talked with Mike Francesa about spring training, the outfield, Michael Bourn, Justin Upton, Scott Hairston, the team's pitching depth, the we'll-see-what-happens bullpen, Travis d'Arnaud, and what would make for a successful season.

The international market is a regular source of prospect, rookie, and veteran baseball talent. What players might become available next off-season?

Wilmer Flores is taking groundballs at second base. In other signs of the Apocalypse, this is the fourth straight week of Amazin' Avenue Audio, besting our previous record of three.

TWIB looks back All Star Games past, plus all the action from the '77 Midsummer Classic, and Nolan Ryan's diva behavior will not be tolerated.

Fred Wlipon has said that there are no restrictions on the Mets payroll going forward.

Forty-year-old David Cone left the Yankees’ broadcast booth and signed on with the Mets for one more go-round on this date in 2003. The hope going into the season was that a resurgent Cone would complete an aging but still contender-worthy rotation.

Your Wednesday morning dose of New York Mets and Major League Baseball news, notes, and links