Let us recall the day that Turk Wendell signed a $9,999,999.99 contract

There are superstitious ballplayers, and then there is Turk Wendell. The former reliever, who spent time with the Cubs, Mets, Phillies and Rockies, had an endless amount of quirks throughout his 11-year career. He chewed exactly four pieces of black liquorice while on the mound and brushed his teeth in between innings:

He made umpires roll new baseballs back to him and leapt high over the baseline at the end of each frame:

And 15 years ago today, Wendell, who wore No. 99, signed a three-year, $9,999,999.99 contract with the Mets. Partly because he wanted to stay loyal to the Mets and partly because he had told his agent beforehand "if I could ever get all nines, let's do it."

Wendell would only pitch 49 games for New York in 2001 before being traded to the Phillies.