In light of the San Diego Padres holding an archery competition yesterday (hey, it beats war games with Randy Myers), now might be an opportune time to call former Mets starter Matt Ginter, who along with being snubbed by The Wire in favor of the No Neck Blues Band paving the way for many would-be Mumfords, touted the benefits of HARDCORE BOW & ARROW ACTION in a big league clubhouse some 9 years ago. From the New York Times’ Lee Jenkins (June 12, 2004)
On the first day that Ginter asked teammates if it was all right to play a hunting video in the clubhouse, Steve Trachsel sidled up next to him. He also tags along when Ginter goes shopping for hunting supplies or camouflage.
”You get him talking about that stuff,” Trachsel said, ”and he’ll go on forever.”
With Ginter’s arrival, the Mets’ pitching coach, Rick Peterson, has developed an interest in archery. Ginter has been hunting deer with his bow and arrows since he was 15, and he has developed such keen marksmanship that he can split a deck of cards with an arrow. Ginter told Peterson that when shooting an arrow, he always focuses on a spot no larger than a nickel. But when throwing a baseball, he aims at a much larger target.
He is making an impact on the Mets, who view him with amusement and delight. Closer Braden Looper calls Ginter ”our country boy,” and compares him to the Clampetts, the family from ”The Beverly Hillbillies.” Catcher Vance Wilson calls him ”our redneck,” but he insists he is using the term endearingly. When reliever David Weathers wants instant entertainment, he summons Ginter to review an episode of ”Hee-Haw.’