Monday Morning — February 17th 2003
Pitchers and catchers have reported to Port St. Lucie, and Monday Morning Mets is back to its weekly format. It is so good seeing the Mets back in action, even if looking at the new orange batting practice uniforms for too long burns your retinas!
Hello, Old Friends - 40-year-old right-hander David Cone signed a minor league contract with the Mets this week. Cone, a member of the 1988 National League Eastern Division Champion Mets team, is attempting a comeback after a one-year hiatus from baseball. After throwing off a mound for the first time in 17 months on Friday, Cone reported feeling only the normal discomfort the following day.
Additionally, Duffy Dyer rejoins the Mets family as the new advance Major League scout. Dyer, who had been managing the Bridgeport Bluefish in the independent Atlantic League since 1991, was a catcher for the Mets from 1968-1974. Dyer is also reunited with manager Art Howe - Dyer was Howe's third base coach in Oakland in 1996, and then was Oakland's bench coach 1997-1998.
All In The Family - The Mets have signed left-handed hitting first baseman Mike Glavine to a minor league contract. Mike's older brother, pitching ace Tom Glavine, joined the Mets as a free agent in December.
Bells Are Ringing - Or at least signing. Minor league pitcher Heath Bell signed a one-year contract with the organization on Monday. The next day, the Mets acquired 37-year-old veteran infielder Jay Bell, signing him to a minor-league contract.
A Penny Saved... - Al Leiter is the newest member of the board of directors for Common Cents New York. Common Cents is best known for its Penny Harvest, where New York City schoolchildren collect pennies for charitable causes. Leiter, through his Leiter's Landing charity, contributed $10,000 to the cause, presumably NOT in pennies.
Fonzie Thanks New York - Always a class act, Edgardo Alfonzo leaves for San Francisco with a message for his fans. The All-Star infielder plans to pay for 30 cab advertisements expressing his love for the city and his thanks to his fans.
A Rite of Spring - As with the last two years, Armando Benitez is reporting to spring training after most of the other pitchers and catchers. Benitez received permission from the Mets to arrive late so that he could take care of "personal issues" in the Dominican Republic. Management isn't concerned -- Benitez was in good shape when team officials visited him in the Dominican last month, so they know that he is in good shape and well conditioned.
Calling Charlie Samuels! - Charlie Samuels is, of course, the Mets equipment manager. Note to file - Tom Glavine needs a Mets bag to replace that ratty old thing he was using when he reported to camp last week.
Love is in the Air - Roberto Alomar spent his offseason romancing international singing star Gisselle. The relationship has been a big item on the gossip pages in Alomar's native Puerto Rico, but apparently the second baseman doesn't mind. "I never talk about [my relationship]" he said over the telephone to the New York Daily News, "But you can say I'm happy."
What Oil Crisis? - Mike Stanton made the 20 hour drive from his Bergen County, New Jersey home to Port St. Lucie in a Hummer with a trailer attached. Reportedly the gas mileage was not very good.
Hitting the Books - In an interview with The Star-Ledger, Al Leiter said that he is in the process of applying to a program with Iowa and Penn State in order to complete his college degree. He is currently about 30 points shy of that goal. When asked why he is doing this, Leiter answered, "Just to finish. I think it's important."
As If The Orange BP Uniforms Weren't Enough - The Mets are waiting for caps to accompany the orange jerseys. They reportedly have a blue top, orange visor and black NY insignia.
Happy Birthday Wishes - A happy 10th birthday this week to my son, Connor. I always associate Connor's birth with baseball, because he came into this world the morning that Mets pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in 1993. Happy birthday honey!
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.
