Now that we’re at the all-star break, I’d like to take a moment to recognize a ballplayer who for one brief shining moment brought back joyous memories of my beloved 1962 New York Mets, the most inept but lovable team I have ever taken to my heart.  Since this award will be appearing periodically, I’d like to lay down a few guidelines right at the outset. In order to receive this highly coveted award, a player will have to:

a. Not play for the New York Mets. This award is for non Mets. Trust me, they have awards of their own.

b. Do something reminiscent of the 1962 New York Mets, who are universally regarded as the worst baseball team in the Modern era, which started in 1901.

The winner for the first half of the 2011 season is Starlin Castro, the young, up and coming shortstop of the Chicago Cubs. During one inning, and in the space of five batters, he committed three errors, two while fielding grounders and one on a throw. That’s the type of performance that will cause the big “E” to continually light up on the Rheingold scoreboard, signaling the committing of yet another Mets error. Please join me in a round of applause, or laughter, as we award him admission into the Honorary 1962 New York Mets Fraternity. Mr. Castro, stand up and be recognized. You’re on the team!

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This will be an ongoing series dedicated to my beloved 1962 New York Mets, an inept bunch who many historians consider the worst baseball team ever. They taught me more ways to lose baseball games than I ever dared to imagine. In this, their inaugural season, they won 40 and lost 120 games, finishing 60 and 1/2 games out of first place. In order to be recognized, a player has to do something reminiscent of the 1962 Mets. Trust me, this isn’t easy.