Monday Morning, August 26, 2002
After today's off day, the Mets continue their road trip with two games in Florida against the Marlins. Thursday is another off day, and then, if there is no strike, the Mets open up a homestand on Friday against the Phillies.
If there is indeed a strike, Monday Morning Mets will go to a monthly format until play resumes, be that in September or in the spring. Since that is truly a possibility, I want to take a moment to thank my readers for sticking with me and with the Mets for yet another season. This is the second season that I've done this column, and once again I have found it to be a rewarding experience. I appreciate the fact that you read my words every week, because without you KC wouldn't let me have this experience.
With any luck all of this has been written in vain, and I'll have a new weekly column for you next week. Let's Go Mets! Play Ball!
Done Deal - Fred Wilpon, along with his Sterling Equities partners, became the Mets' sole owners on Friday after completing his buyout of co-owner Nelson Doubleday. The settlement called for payment to Doubleday based on a valuation of the team at $400 million, which is higher than the $391 million independent appraisal Doubleday was challenging, minus debt and other liabilities. Doubleday will also receive $20 million in the event that a new stadium for the Mets is built.
Naming Later Players - 22-year-old Australian RHP P.J. Bevis was obtained from the Arizona Diamondbacks last Tuesday as the player to be named later in the Mark Little trade. Bevis was assigned to Double-A Binghamton.
That same day, outfielder Raul Gonzalez, the International League Player of the Month for May, was obtained from Cincinnati as one of the two players to be named later in the Shawn Estes deal.
Roster Moves - To make room for the newly acquired Raul Gonzalez, on Wednesday the Mets sent Marco Scutaro back to Triple-A Norfolk.
On Saturday, Edgardo Alfonzo was activated from the disabled list. In order to make room for him on the roster, Ty Wigginton was optioned to Norfolk.
Health Notes - Armando Benitez had fluid from his right knee drained a week ago Saturday.
Grant Roberts, who has been on the disabled list since July 13th, received a cortisone injection after a throwing session a week ago Sunday. He resumed throwing on the side last Thursday.
Ruffled Feathers - Bobby Valentine, frustrated with the Mets' losing ways, told reporters last week that part of the problem this season was that many of the "guys preaching my gospel" had been traded after last season, and intimated that other leaders such as Al Leiter and Edgardo Alfonzo had been preoccupied with their individual contract situations this year. Leiter and Alfonzo were not happy with the skipper's comments, to say the least.
Meanwhile, the stress of the Mets' losing streak is taking its toll on the manager. The stress was compounded on Friday afternoon when, while being interviewed on MSG's "Talk of our Town" show, co-host Bill Daughtry apparently received an e-mail from a friend claiming that the Associated Press had reported Valentine was fired. Confronted by Daughtry, Valentine was dumbfounded by the remark and said the story was not true. For the balance of the afternoon, MSG personnel called Mets officials and Valentine to offer apologies.
Valentine addressed the media after Friday night's loss and did not exhibit the kind of calm composure that we have come to expect from him. An emotional Valentine blasted the media for taking comments from earlier in the week out of context, and for insinuating that he might have been trying to get himself fired with the remarks. "The job that I hold the highest place in any job in the country, in the world; the thing that I live and breathe and die for every second of my life. And it is insulting. It is degrading. And it is the worst thing that has ever been said about me in my life."
Trouble With His Bat - Not only has Jeromy Burnitz struggled at the plate this season, but he's not getting any respect from his bats either. A recent shipment from the Easton company had bats with his first name misspelled "Jeremy" and indicating that Burnitz plays for the Kansas City Royals!
Get Well Wishes - To Arnold Valentin, the father of John Valentin. Valentin left the Mets on Tuesday to be with his father, who suffered his second stroke on Monday night. Mr. Valentin is reportedly resting comfortably in New Jersey, although he will require surgery and is expected to be hospitalized for a few more weeks before starting rehabilitation for the partial paralyzation of his left side resulting from the stroke. Valentin rejoined the Mets in Colorado on Friday.
Local Boy Does Good - Fresno California native Jaime Cerda had 50-75 friends and family members at each of the games in San Francisco last week. On Thursday, Cerda's parents had the opportunity to see him pitch as a Major Leaguer for the first time.
Hello, Old Friend - Former Met Turk Wendell visited the Mets' clubhouse prior to Saturday's game. Wendell is currently a member of the Phillies, but has been rehabilitating at his Colorado home following surgery on his pitching elbow in May.
Honoring Hodges - Yesterday was Gil Hodges Night at Brooklyn's Keyspan Park. There was a video tribute to Hodges, and his number 14 was retired at Keyspan Park. In addition to the evening honoring the Dodgers great and first winning Mets manager, brooklyncyclones.com has started an online petition aimed towards persuading the Veterans Committee to elect Hodges to Baseball's Hall of Fame. Click here - in order to add your name to the list!
Blatant Self Promotion - My feature on Terry Cashman, originally published here - is featured in the September issue of New York Mets Inside Pitch.
Quote of the Week - Ty Wigginton, on being optioned to Norfolk - "It stinks every time you get sent down. It feels like someone shot your dog."
Happy Birthday Wishes - To KC. You don't pay much, but you're one of the best bosses I've ever had :)
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.
