Monday Morning — August 11th, 2003
After today's off day, the Mets are back home and face the Giants and Rockies at Shea this week.
In Rehab - Mike Piazza has been making his way back to the majors with a rehab assignment that started strong when he hit a home run in his first game back last Thursday. Piazza was initially going to be activated from the disabled list in time for Wednesday's game against the Giants. However, Piazza is not yet 100% pleased with his swing and his timing, and he is considering delaying his activation in order to play a few more rehab games, possibly with Double-A Binghamton next weekend.
In other news, while he is doing his rehab work, weather permitting, Piazza is considering playing a few innings at first base in order to prepare for an eventual switch to that position.
Congratulations - To Jason Phillips and his wife, Kelly, on the birth of their first child, a boy. Jason Phillips, Jr., born on August 4, 2003, at 2:55 PM, and weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds, 14.8 ounces. The proud papa rejoined the Mets on Thursday, handing out cigars and showing off pictures of his son. With a Major Leaguer for a dad and a mom who is a former Australian WNBL basketball player, we're looking forward to a great future for Jason Jr.
Condolences - To Brooklyn Cyclones manager and former Met Tim Teufel on the death of his father, William, last Monday.
Roster Notes - With Mike Piazza on the disabled list, and Jason Phillips taking a few days of paternity leave, the Mets called up catcher Joe DePastino, who has been in the minor leagues for 11 years, from Norfolk on Tuesday. To make room for Depastino on the roster, Jeremy Griffiths was optioned to Norfolk. Ten members of the DePastino family traveled to Houston to see Joe's major league debut last Tuesday.
DePastino's stay in the majors was short-lived, though. On Thursday, with Phillips' return to the team, DePastino designated for assignment so that reliever Grant Roberts could be activated from the 60-day disabled list and added to the 40-man roster. Roberts made a triumphant return that night, pitching a scoreless 6th inning and striking out two Houston Astros.
Tony Clark has cleared waivers, which frees up the Mets to trade him if the right deal could be brokered.
Mets Milestones - On August 3, Tony Clark hit two home runs, one left-handed and one right-handed. He is the first Met to accomplish this feat since Todd Hundley did it on July 30, 1997.
Steve Trachsel earned his 100th career victory last Thursday in Houston.
Down on the farm, Esix Snead broke Mookie Wilson's Norfolk Tides' record for stolen bases when he notched his 51st last week.
Mets in Space - Well, not really. But Mets were at the Johnson Space Center last Thursday. Astronauts Mike Massimino and Mark Polansky gave a guided tour of the facility to Jay Bell, head trainer Scott Lawrenson and traveling secretary Charlie Samuels.
Floyd in Florida - Cliff Floyd was not with the Mets August 10 in Phoenix because he left for Florida that morning to be with his father, Cornelius, who is ill. Meanwhile, Floyd had planned to consult with Florida Marlins foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Robert Mills today, but he was unable to get an appointment with the physician. Floyd is expected to rejoin the team at Shea tomorrow.
Honoring Jackie - On August 3, the Brooklyn Cyclones officially retired number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, the Brooklyn Dodgers star who broke baseball's color barrier.
On Hold - The Mets have reportedly suspended negotiations with 2003 first round draft pick Lastings Milledge while they conduct an investigation into allegations that the 18-year-old Milledge engaged in improper sexual activities with minors while he was in high school.
Fan Notes - Singer/songwriter John Mayer reportedly was booed onstage in Cincinnati last week. The reason? He made mention of the fact that the Mets are his favorite baseball team, without much regard for the fact that he was in Reds territory.
(Thanks to Kelly Christine Delaney for alerting me to this story.)
Just Wondering - Last week, Monday Morning Mets opined that George Steinbrenner must be the Mets' biggest fan, as evidenced by his nonstop acquisition of people who have played on the Mets. Right after that story ran, the Yankees traded Armando Benitez to Seattle. Coincidence? I think not -- it's obvious to me that Steinbrenner reads this column (faithfully, as any Mets fan would do), and after noticing that his plan had been revealed, he instructed Brian Cashman to make a trade so that the trend wouldn't be quite as obvious.
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.
