Through interviews with these legendary players, Erik Sherman offers fans a new perspective on a team that will forever be remembered in sports history. Darryl Strawberry, Doc Gooden, Keith Hernandez, Lenny Dykstra, Mookie Wilson, Howard Johnson, Doug Sisk, Rafael Santana, Bobby Ojeda, Wally Backman, Kevin Mitchell, Ed Hearn, Danny Heep, and the late Gary Carter were all known for their heroics on the field. For some of them-known as the 'Scum Bunch'-their debauchery off the field was even more awe-inspiring. But when that golden season ended, so did their aura of invincibility. Some faced battles with addiction, some were traded, and others struggled just to keep their lives together. Through interviews with these legendary players, Erik Sherman offers fans a new perspective on a team that will forever be remembered in sports history. Includes Photos 'Erik Sherman's breezy, absorbing meet-up with the members of the 1986 New York Mets makes for a beautiful trip down memory lane. An absolute joy.' Jeff Pearlman,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Bad Guys Won! 'Decades past their glory days, the '86 Mets are still amazing in their power to inspire. Erik Sherman captures these heroes past their prime in a beautiful collection of portraits, proving that these Mets were once the kings of queens and they're still the kings of hearts.' Jonathan Eig, author ofLuckiest ManandOpening Day 'The Mets of the eighties had the walk and talk to own New York . . . and they did!' Tim McCarver, longtime Mets' broadcaster and recipient of the 2012 Ford C. Frick Award 'If you are lucky enough to have been born a Mets fan, or to have converted into one, you will find this book to be full of treasures.' Kostya Kennedy, Senior Editor ofSports IllustratedandNew York Timesbestselling author of56- Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number in SportsandPete Rose- An American Dilemma 'Don't confuse this with a Where Are They Now? This is about How Are They Now Doing-from Straw to Doc to Doug Sisk-catching up with the '86 Mets much like Roger Kahn once caught up with the Dodgers'Boys of Summer. ' Kevin Kernan, theNew York Post 'A series of revealing retrospectives from many of the key performers of that memorable and, at least in New York, beloved ball club.' Howie Rose, Broadcaster, New York Mets, WOR Radio 710 AM 'Erik Sherman visits with this remarkable cast of characters to put the impact of the '86 Mets in perspective. An important book about an important team.' Marty Appel, author ofPinstripe EmpireandMunson

Author Biography

Erik Sherman has been a freelance sportswriter in the New York area since 1980. He is also a coauthor of Out at Home: The True Story of Glenn Burke, Baseball's First Openly Gay Player; Mookie: Life, Baseball, and the '86 Mets; and Steve Blass: A Pirate for Life.