Monday Morning, May 27, 2002
Happy Memorial Day. Let us always remember the men and woman in the military who sacrificed their lives so that we may enjoy the freedom that we have in this country.
As for the Mets, today they finish up their four game set with Florida. Tomorrow the Phillies come into town for two games. Then, after Thursday's off day, the Mets embark on their longest road trip of the season - thirteen consecutive games in four cities, starting in Florida against the Marlins this weekend.
Raising Eyebrows - Last Monday's New York Post's Neal Travis reported that Bobby Valentine gave an interview recently in the June/July issue of Details magazine stating that he felt that Major League Baseball was ready for an openly gay ballplayer. In the gossip column, Travis insinuated that Valentine might have been referring to one of his own players. The next day, Valentine clarified that he was simply answering a direct question by the interviewer, and he had nobody in mind when making the statement. Nonetheless, in the wake of media rumors, last Tuesday Mike Piazza felt the need to meet with reporters and affirmatively state that he is not gay. The general consensus is that Piazza handled this issue with class and dignity.
Putting things in perspective, general manager Steve Phillips stated, "If statistics hold up, in every clubhouse there is somebody who is gay. So what? Who cares?''
Shufflin' Off - Kane Davis, currently on the 15 day disabled list, was on a Major League rehabilitation assignment with AAA Norfolk last week. He pitched for Norfolk in Buffalo last Thursday, and was scheduled to pitch in Norfolk against Scranton Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. Unfortunately, the second assignment was canceled after an MRI last Friday revealed a partial tear in the flexor tendon of Davis' right elbow. It will be at least another week before Davis will even be able to pick up a ball again, and surgery is an option being considered.
Roster Moves - Last Friday, Mark Corey was sent back to AAA Norfolk and Bobby M. Jones was called up to replace him.
Getting Straightened Out - Edgardo Alfonzo spent the off day last Monday visiting a chiropractor in New York. Alfonzo reported feeling much better after having treatments on his left hamstring. The treatment apparently helped, as Alfonzo hit his first home run of the season on Wednesday.
Over There! - Bobby Valentine and Mike Piazza taped video messages last week to be delivered to U.S. Troops overseas for the holiday.
¡Los Mets Hablos Español! - This Tuesday, the Mets will be telecast in English on MSG, but across the dial on FSNY fans will be able to watch the game in Spanish. Other Spanish cablecasts are scheduled for June 18th, June 25th, July 23rd, July 30th, August 14th, September 3rd, September 4th, September 17th and September 18th.
This is an excellent way for the Mets to reach out to their Spanish speaking fans, both in this country and worldwide. Perhaps the time is not too far off when the advice in my March 4th Rant of the Week will be heeded and the Mets will introduce a Spanish version of their official website.
The Captain's Back - John Franco rejoined the Mets at Shea on Friday, after spending time recuperating at home from his recent elbow surgery while the Mets were in Philadelphia.
Superconductor! - PBS has announced that it has picked up the children's series Superconductor!, which teaches children about music. Last winter, Bobby Valentine shot the series pilot and starred as the wisecracking conductor. PBS is interested in having Valentine continue in that role, and Valentine is amenable to that "if time allows."
Let's Not Go To The Videotape - The Mets and Bobby Valentine did not appreciate it last Wednesday when ESPN's Sportscenter showed tape of the manager's playfully pretending to faint out of context. The gestures were kiddingly made after Edgardo Alfonzo belted his first home run of the season, but ESPN showed the scene after tape of Jay Payton being thrown out at third base.
Countdown to Showdown? - If the Yankees' pitching rotation doesn't change in the next three weeks, Roger Clemens is scheduled to pitch at Shea on June 14th. This would be Clemens' first appearance at Shea since beaning Mike Piazza on July 8th, 2000, and already there is talk in the media about what might happen if Clemens has to bat against the Mets. However, as Yankees' manager Joe Torre has taken steps to keep Clemens from pitching at Shea since that time, time will tell as to whether this showdown will actually take place.
With International Flair - Mark Scutaro, who was claimed from Milwaukee off of waivers in April and who is now with AAA Norfolk, was named the International League's Player of the Week last week.
Taking Their Swings - New York Islanders Adrian Aucoin, Garth Snow and David Scatchard took batting practice with the Mets prior to last Saturday's game. Snow and Aucoin even homered over the left field wall!
Clean Living - Last week the Mets announced that they would reinstate 18 of the 22 women's restroom attendants at Shea Stadium who were laid off just prior to the start of the season.
Congratulations - To former Met Todd Zeile and his wife, Julianne McNamara, on the birth of their third child last Monday, a son named Ian.
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.
