Monday Morning — August 4th, 2003
After today's off day, the Mets hit the road and play the Astros and the Diamondbacks. Having been to Houston and Phoenix in August a few years back, I can tell you that they are in for some serious heat (yes, I know it's a dry heat in Phoenix, but 113 degrees is an oven, no matter how dry it is).
Saying Good-bye To A Legend - As KC pointed out last week, Bob Murphy announced on July 27 that, after 50 years of broadcasting, this will be his last year as a Mets announcer. The 78-year-old Murphy has been broadcasting Mets games since the team's inaugural game in 1962, and he was inducted in baseball's Hall of Fame in 1994.
Although most fans realized this day was coming for a long time, it is nonetheless a bittersweet moment. Hearing Murphy announce Mets games conjures up memories of times gone by, and his retirement means that a link to the past will be gone.
Monday Morning Mets wishes a long and enjoyable retirement to a living legend who has brought so many happy recaps to Mets fans for so many years.
At the Trade Deadline - Last Monday, the Mets traded Graeme Lloyd to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor leaguer Jeremy Hill. Hill, a catcher-turned-pitcher, was assigned to Double-A Binghamton. Jaime Cerda, who is with the major league club for the fourth time this season, took Lloyd's place on the 25-man roster.
On Tuesday, the Mets traded Rey Sanchez to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for 24-year-old outfield prospect Kenny Kelly, who was a college quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes. Sanchez's roster spot was filled by pitcher Jason Roach. The next day, Roach was returned to Norfolk and the Mets brought up Marco Scutaro.
On the Road to Recovery - Mike Piazza will travel to Houston with the Mets this week, but then he will head to Norfolk to begin a three-game rehab assignment on Friday. If all goes according to plan, the All-Star catcher will come off the disabled list and be back in the lineup on August 12.
Grant Roberts has rejoined the team following his rehab assignment with Norfolk. Although he hasn't yet been activated from the 60-day disabled list, it's expected that he will be added to the 25-man roster some time during the week.
Ouch! - Tom Glavine left last Tuesday's game after the first inning with a strained right rib. Glavine received a cortisone shot to the rib cage the following day.
Jeremy Griffiths was called up from Norfolk to pitch in Glavine's place yesterday. In order to make room for Griffiths on the roster, Edwin Almonte was optioned to Norfolk.
Hello, Old Friends - Among those at Shea last Tuesday to honor Hall of Famer Gary Carter in a pregame ceremony was Davey Johnson. This was Johnson's first appearance at Shea since he was fired as the Mets' manager in 1990.
Also on hand for Gary Carter Night were 1986 Mets Keith Hernandez, Bobby Ojeda, Howard Johnson and Tim Teufel.
In the pregame ceremony, the Mets presented Carter with a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Additionally, interim general manager Jim Duquette presented Carter with a replica Hall of Fame plaque, but with one important difference -- in the replica, rather than an Expos hat, Carter dons a Mets cap!
Non-Story of the Week - A week ago, The Record (of Hackensack, New Jersey), quoting the proverbial unnamed sources, reported that Mike Piazza wishes to be traded from the Mets, and that Tom Glavine prefers pitching to other catchers. Both men deny that the story has any validity. Glavine's former teammate, catcher Eddie Perez, pointed out to the press that, while Greg Maddux was vocal about his preference in catchers, Glavine would throw to anybody. As for Piazza, he said, "They've got to drum up something this week. Nobody is smoking pot, I guess."
Making light of the situation, on Wednesday Vance Wilson taped a note to his locker that read, "Glav's Personal Catcher."
Baby Boom - Best of luck to Jason Phillips, the Mets Player of the Month for the month of July, and his wife, Kelly, on the birth of their first child. The couple had scheduled an induced birth after Sunday's game, so that the rookie first baseman/catcher will not have to miss any games (so they say -- as the mother of a child with an August birthday, I personally suspect that Kelly is happy for any excuse to cut her summer pregnancy short. OK - I don't really think that. But it's certainly an added benefit). Monday Morning Mets will have more details next week, but news reports prior to the inducement state that the baby is a boy, and would be named Jason Phillips, Jr.
An Unpaid Debt? - The Bergen Record reports that Art Howe and Armando Benitez had an arrangement where Howe would buy a bottle of fine wine for connoisseur Benitez every time he saved a game, and Benitez would buy his manager a bottle for every blown save. Reportedly, Howe owes Benitez four bottles for his last four saves as a Met.
Financial News - Mets owner Fred Wilpon has resigned from the board of directors of Bear Stearns Cos.
In the Community - Last Monday, Jason Phillips visited the Hospital for Joint Diseases as part of the "Going Home" program. The program, sponsored by the Mets, the NYU Medical Center and the Hospital for Joint Diseases, provides gifts for discharged pediatric patients, including tickets for a Mets game, a Mets cap and player cards.
On Friday, Art Howe was at Keyspan Park in Brooklyn for the Neighborhood All-Star Team's PAL program.
Staying Put - The Mets and St. Lucie County have finalized a 16-year lease that will keep the Mets in Port St. Lucie, Florida through 2018.
While on vacation in Florida last week, I made my first visit to the Thomas J. White Stadium and saw the St. Lucie Mets in action. It's a nice stadium that's undergoing some exciting renovations, and the team had a core of die-hard fans. Thus, I'm personally pleased to hear that the Mets will continue its presence in the area.
Get Well Wishes - To Judy Wilpon, wife of Mets owner Fred Wilpon, who is recovering from back surgery.
When The Mets Are Away, Run At Shea - The Run to Home Plate 5K and kids races take place at Shea this Saturday, August 9. For more information on registering for the event, check out www.nyrr.org.
The Mets' Biggest Fan? - Over the last several years, it has become a trend for the Yankees to acquire former Mets. Most recently, embattled closer Armando Benitez and ancient reliever Jesse Orosco have joined former Mets Lee Mazzilli, Robin Ventura, Todd Zeile, Darryl Strawberry, and Dwight Gooden the Yankee fold. Even Tom Seaver worked as a Yankee broadcaster for a time, as did David Cone prior to his comeback attempt with the Mets this season. But what is the reason behind this? To me, it's obvious -- Yankee owner George Steinbrenner has to be the Mets' biggest fan. No matter how much lip service he gives to Yankee greatness and tradition, it's apparent that his true fantasy team is the New York Mets.
The true test will be in the offseason, if the rumors of Steinbrenner pursuing Bobby Valentine to become the next Yankee manager come to fruition.
(Thanks to Dave Whitham for his input on this item.)
Happy Birthday Wishes - To my son, Ross, who turns seven years old this week. Happy Birthday to the best little Mets fan I know!
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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.
