Monday Morning, June 10, 2002
The Mets finish up their longest road trip of the year with their first trip ever to Chicago's Comiskey Park. Then, after Thursday's off day, the Mets come home to Shea to face their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees! The ceremonial first pitch before Friday's game will be tossed by astronaut and lifelong Mets fan Mike Massimino, who wore John Franco's #45 jersey on a recent Space Shuttle Columbia mission. Massimino is going to present the jersey to Franco in a pregame ceremony before the game.
Note this time change - Wednesday's game has been changed from 8:05 Eastern Time to 7:05 Eastern Time because it is now an ESPN game.
Roster Changes - Last Tuesday the Mets called up Tony Tarasco from Norfolk for the second time this season. To make room for Tarasco on the roster, Mark Johnson was designated for assignment. Johnson cleared waivers, and was assigned to AAA Norfolk. Johnson had the option of rejecting the assignment and declaring himself a free agent, but he did accept it and reported to the team on Saturday.
On Wednesday, the Mets claimed speedy infielder Ramon Soler from the Devil Rays off waivers and sent him to AA Binghamton. To make room for Soler on the 40 man roster, Eric Cammack was outrighted to Binghamton.
Scheduling Concerns - Last Tuesday's rainout in Atlanta was the first one in Turner Field's six year history. The game will be made up as part of a September 10th doubleheader. This is not too bad for the Braves, who have off days on either side of the 2-game series with the Mets on September 10-11. For the Mets, it's another matter - they finish a four game series in Philadelphia the night before, and start a four game series in Montreal the following day. Steve Phillips is hoping that the National League will agree to change the September 9th game in Philadelphia to a day game in order to ease the burden the doubleheader places on the Mets.
Honoring Fallen Heroes - On Thursday, Bobby Valentine will emcee the Greater New York Hospital Association's annual reception at the Regent Wall Street Hotel. The organization will honor the eight EMS workers who died at the World Trade Center on September 11th and will present memorial plaques to the surviving family members.
Additionally Judy and Fred Wilpon's golden retriever, Lefty, and Mary and Bobby Valentine's collies, Tommy and Beamer, were honored on June 1st at the Annual Therapy Dogs International Awards Luncheon. The dogs were given certificates for their work at the Family Assistance Center at Pier 94 following September 11th. Lefty, Tommy and Beamer are now "Certified Disaster Relief Therapy Dogs."
Gestapo Tactics? - There was a lot of frustration during the Mets' loss in Florida on June 2, a game which featured the ejection of Mike Piazza and Bobby Valentine. Valentine, who was bumped by umpire Ed Rapuano, complained afterwards about the umpires' final say in such situations and a manager's lack of a right to appeal, and said "What is this? The Gestapo?" Rapuano later told the media that the bump was accidental, and expressed concern that some people might be offended by the manager's choice of words. Never one to shy away from a confrontation, and clarifying that he was merely frustrated over the fact that the umpires rule all, Valentine jokingly quipped in response, "If any member of the Gestapo is offended, then I apologize."
Actually, the Anti-Defamation League wasn't too thrilled with Valentine's use of the term, and sent him a letter that the manager described as "very nice and also educational." Valentine said that he understood their concerns and sent back a letter in reply, in which he apologized if he offended anyone.
As far as further fallout from the argument, MLB disciplinarian Bob Watson is still determining whether Valentine will be fined and/or suspended as a result. That decision is expected this week.
He's Number One! - 18-year-old Scott Kazmir, a left handed pitcher for Texas' Cypress Falls High School, was the Mets' first pick in the 2002 draft. The Mets had the fifteenth overall pick in the draft. Kazmir's teammate, Clint Everts, was the fifth overall pick, drafted by the Expos. This marks the first time that two high school teammates from Texas were picked as first round draft picks.
You CAN Go Home Again - Former Cleveland Indian Roberto Alomar received a warm reception last Friday in his first trip to Jacobs Field since the Tribe traded him to the Mets last winter. He was greeted with applause, including some fans giving him a standing ovation, and the Indians showed a video tribute to Alomar before the Mets batted in the first inning that night.
Things on Al's Mind - Al Leiter, the Mets' slumping ace, consulted with noted sports therapist Harvey Dorfman last week to try to get a handle on things. Leiter and Dorfman have a long term relationship.
Additionally, Leiter was worried about his mother, Marie, who lives in fire-swept Berkeley Township, New Jersey. Fortunately, his mother lives on the other side of town from the fires, and she is fine.
Leiter's rough week continued last weekend - he didn't have time to celebrate Friday night's victory in Cleveland because of an aching tooth. Leiter underwent an emergency root canal procedure on Saturday, and reported to the Mets clubhouse that night reportedly looking like a chipmunk!
Oops! - Jeromy Burnitz was visibly shaken last Tuesday in Atlanta after he lost grip of his bat in the 8th inning and the bat struck a small child in the stands. Luckily, the child was not seriously hurt, and after being checked out by medical personnel he returned to watch the end of the game.
The next day, Burnitz telephoned the child. His family assured Burnitz that the child was fine, and thanked him for the gesture.
Meanwhile, the bat once again escaped from Burnitz's hand during Wednesday's game. Again, while nobody was hurt, Burnitz was noticeably upset by the incident.
Hot and Bothered - Mike Piazza came out of last Thursday's game in Atlanta in the 6th inning, lightheaded and battling dehydration. Piazza required two packets of IV fluids, and then reported feeling better.
A Good Negative - Precautionary x-rays taken of Edgardo Alfonzo's glove hand last Monday proved to be negative.
His Thoughts Are Back Home - Satoru Komiyama woke up at 5:00 am last Tuesday in order to watch the World Cup match between Japan and Belgium on television.
Ready to Rejoin the Team - While the Mets have been on the road, Kane Davis, who is currently on the disabled list, has been undergoing treatment at the Mets' spring training headquarters in Port St. Lucie, Florida. He will rejoin the team in New York on Friday.
Minor Success - 19-year-old Justin Huber, a catcher on the Mets single A Capital City Bombers, was named the South Atlantic League Player of the Month for the month of May!
When the Mets are Away, Run at Shea! - On July 20th, the New York Road Runners Club, Inc. is once again sponsoring its Run to Home Plate. The 5K race starts in the Shea Stadium parking lot, and ends at home plate! To register online, click here.
Happenings at Bobby V's - Check out www.bobbyvs.com for coupons and promotions at Bobby V's Sports Bar & Restaurant. And if you're in the neighborhood tomorrow night, don't miss the finals of Tuesday Night Trivia to see who wins a trip to see the Mets play the Rockies in Colorado in August!
Get Well Wishes - To former Met star Jerry Koosman, who underwent double bypass surgery in late May. Koosman is now recuperating from the procedure at home.
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.
