Is Sheffield Going To Pass the Torch?

Tuesday night’s game was exciting for a variety of reasons. First of all, Omar Minaya made me look like a genius by putting Reyes and Church on the DL, but I was a little bit off base with the possible demotion of Ramon Martinez. It looks like he is sticking around, but more importantly, the Mets are going to have some bodies available.

One of them, Fernando Martinez, only the most touted prospect in the Mets' system, debuted Tuesday, and while he didn’t dazzle, we saw a bit of what he is made of. Martinez beat out a potential double play ball to earn his first RBI of his career, and Martinez was also plunked on the elbow.

The other guy the Mets acquired was Cleveland infielder Wilson Valdez, who is known for his defense and is exactly the kind of guy the Mets needed...and all it cost them was money.

The real thing that tonight was about was a passing of the torch, so to speak. Gary Sheffield showcased his ability for the young Martinez. Sheffield went deep for a three-run homer for the second straight night, and he did it in typical laser beam fashion.

How old was Fernando Martinez when Sheffield made his major league debut? That’s simple. Martinez wasn’t even born yet. A little over a month after Sheff made his presence felt in Milwaukee for the first time, Fernando was born...the rest is history. I wonder if that’s ever happened before tonight, that a guy who’s been playing since before a player was born, hitting a homer in the player’s first major league game? That’s just an impossible stat to look up.

So I challenge you to name a few examples. I dare you.