The former longtime Mets clubhouse manager, who was fired last year because of an investigation into his involvement with a mob-run sports gambling ring, seems to have had another sketchy side-gig: Charlie Samuels pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges that he stole over $2.3 million worth of signed collectibles, including jerseys, bats, helmets, and a full set of autographed 1986 World Series uniforms. Of course, Samuels made one fatal error: he stole Mets memorabilia. As much as we love him, a signed picture of Benny Agbayani will most likely NOT make you millions of dollars. more ›

A man hired to prevent looters from ransacking Shea Stadium while it was being demolished has pleaded guilty to looting the ballpark. So long as he pays $842.50 in restitution, Gerald Tacopino, 44, will only be fined $500 for heisting memorabilia from the stadium that he was supposed to protect as a security guard, according to 1010WINS. Investigators recovered Mets security jackets, shirts, and seat bottoms and backs from his Brooklyn apartment. He was also ordered to stay away from the Mets new stadium, Citi Field, for one year. In 2008, two men were arrested when they tried to steal a seat from Shea Stadium on opening day. more ›

The NY Times has an article about a growing number of people who hold onto Metrocards as collectible "miniature works of art." The swipe card-collecting community has formed its own Yahoo! group (60 deep!) and hunts down cards on eBay. A card with an "NYPD" stamp went for $520 and even an expired student Metrocard sold for $20. The city has fueled the industry since Metrocards debuted in 1994, issuing a steady stream of special edition and limited run cards. Harvey Spiller, one of the collectors the Times talked to said, “What is most unique about the cards is that they form a diary of sorts that tells a history of New York City.” Spiller also collects neckties, yellow pencils, and chewing gum from foreign countries. more ›

Two Mets fans were arrested Wednesday at the team's home opener when they kicked a Shea Stadium seat to pieces and tried to smuggle it out of the facility. While it's not unheard of for fans to claim souvenirs during a stadium's last stand, what the pair failed to consider was that they were at the season home opener, not the final game. more ›