Monday Morning — February 2003
It's been a long, COLD winter, but spring training is just around the corner. FINALLY! Once the Mets report to Port St. Lucie in two weeks I'll be back to writing weekly columns, and we start evaluating the New York Mets 2003 edition.
From the Department of Shameless Self-Promotion - I am very excited to announce that I have been writing a monthly column called "Fan's Voice" for New York Mets Inside Pitch magazine. If you can't find Inside Pitch at your local newsstand, subscriptions to the magazine may be ordered by calling 1-800-421-7751.
Some Guys Couldn't Wait - 45 players, including 22 from the Mets' 40 man roster, attended a minicamp in Port St. Lucie January 8-11. Manager Art Howe became acquainted with many of his new players on the first day of camp, but then had to leave in order to attend his son's wedding that weekend. Coach Gary Pettis was on hand to help Roger Cedeño make the transition from left field to center field.
Hall of Fame News - Met Hall of Fame member Gary Carter, beloved in New York for the part he played in the 1986 Mets World Championship team, was elected to Cooperstown's Baseball Hall of Fame last month. While we congratulate Carter on his achievement, at the same time Monday Morning Mets wishes Carter condolences on the passing of his father, Jim, on January 25. Carter had always spoken of how much he wanted his father there to see him inducted into the Hall of fame. In a statement released by the Mets, Carter said, "I'm just devastated that my dad won't be with me in Cooperstown. At least my father knew that I'd made the Hall."
Also voted in to the Hall of Fame was 1992-1993 Met Eddie Murray.
Mr. Sparkle Returns! - Most of you know him as Tsuyoshi Shinjo, but when he first signed with the Mets two years ago, one of my online acquaintances (who, by the way, is the creator of the excellent Mets By The Numbers website) dubbed the flashy Japanese outfielder "Mr. Sparkle." It is a nickname that has stuck among many of my online friends, and one that we use with affection in our household.
Shinjo was a fan favorite in 2001, but was traded to San Francisco along with Desi Relaford in exchange for Shawn Estes after that season was over. Shinjo had a busy year with the Giants, including a trip to the postseason -- in fact, his bat was sent to the Hall of Fame because Shinjo was the first Japanese player to ever have a hit in the Major League World Series.
Shinjo was a free agent following the 2002 season, and in January he signed a one year contract to return to the Mets worth $600,000, but with incentives based on plate appearances Shinjo could earn up to an additional $400,000. We welcome back Shinjo, and wish him a sparkling season with the Mets.
In the Community - On January 30, John Franco hosted his fourth annual Celebrity Bowl for Babies to benefit the March of Dimes. This year's tournament took in $350,000, and in the four years it has raised over $1.2 million for this worthy cause!
During last week's Mets Caravan, players also held a baseball clinic at the Chelsea Piers for children who lost parents on September 11th, chatted with students at JHS 99 in Harlem, and visited children at the Hospital for Joint Diseases.
Health Notes - Minor league shortstop sensation Jose Reyes gave the Mets a scare last month when he pulled his left quadriceps muscle while trying to leg out an infield hit in winter ball last month. And MRI and examination by Mets team physician Dr. Andrew Rokito confirmed that Reyes suffered a mild strain that will not keep him from spring training.
Pitcher Pat Strange underwent arthroscopic surgery on January 31 to remove a bone spur from his pitching elbow. The procedure was performed by Dr. Rokito, and was deemed a success. Strange should be able to start throwing again in three to six weeks.
At the minicamp, John Franco threw 20 pitches off the mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. Franco was enthusiastic about the experience, saying, "I have no pain, so I'm very encouraged." The team captain is not expected to throw from the mound again until spring training.
Down on the Farm - Double A Binghamton Mets' manager John Stearns's coaching staff has been named. Bobby Ojeda, who was the pitching coach for the Brooklyn Cyclones the last two seasons, will be the pitching coach, while Edgar Alfonzo, the Cyclones manager in 2002 and hitting coach for St. Lucie last year, will be the hitting coach. Howard Johnson, who managed Brooklyn last year, will be St. Lucie's hitting coach.
Paying the Price - Roger Cedeño pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless driving resulting from his November 26 arrest on DUI charges in Manatee County, Florida. Terms of the plea bargain include that Cedeño serve six months of probation and 50 hours of community service and pay a fine of $250.
Fashion Faux Pas - Hey, I'm the last person in the world who will criticize the Mets for trying to change their luck for the better by experimenting with new uniforms. But there are limits to what one can tolerate in the interest of Karma. The new orange batting practice uniforms with the word Mets across the front are just plain ugly. Blindingly bright and aesthetically hideous, it's hard to believe that anyone is going to be happy wearing them. Unless, of course, the Mets win 115 games this year. In which case, all will be forgiven.
During the kickoff to last week's Mets Winter Caravan at Madison Square Garden, Al Leiter said, "I was feeling a little sleepy and I looked down and, wow, I was awake!" Mike Piazza exclaimed, "I'm a Creamsicle! But I like Creamsicles."
Poetry Corner - Not that I'm not claiming that this is good poetry. But with the signing of pitcher Graeme Lloyd to a minor league contract, the Mets acquired the man whom Florida received from Montreal in exchange for current Met Cliff Floyd, in a trade that Floyd unsuccessfully attempted to negate. Thus, a rhyme is in order:
Montreal wanted Floyd
And gave Florida Lloyd
Cliff Floyd said, "No no
I do not want to go!"
But the Commish wouldn't render it void
Special Feature: Baseball as America
Special Feature: Talkin' Baseball with Terry Cashman
Unless otherwise stated, these stories have been extracted from reports on www.nydailynews.com, www.nypost.com, www.nytimes.com, www.njo.com, www.newsday.com, www.bergenrecord.com, AP , and www.mets.com reports.
