Monday Morning, September 2, 2002
Happy Labor Day! It's nice that we can enjoy our holiday barbecues while watching baseball.
Today the Mets continue their homestand by starting a four game set against Florida. Then on Friday they are down the Turnpike to begin a four game series against the Phillies.
Los Mets en Español - Tomorrow and Wednesday's games will be telecast in English on MSG, and will be in Spanish on FSNY.
Remembering Fallen Heroes - Prior to Thursday's game, the Mets will hold a Night of Remembrance to honor the heroes of September 11th. Governor George Pataki will address the crowd before the game. Representatives from the Police Department, Fire Department, Port Authority Police, New York Court Officers, Emergency Medical Service Unit, the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, volunteer agencies, civilian groups, the Canine Division of the Police Department and construction and operation managers from Ground Zero will be on hand for the pregame ceremony.
Expanding the Roster - Marco Scutaro rejoined the Mets last Sunday, the first day that MLB rosters could be expanded. Following that day's loss, the Mets also called up pitchers Satoru Komiyama, Tyler Walker and Pedro Feliciano, as well as catcher Jason Phillips. Additionally, the Mets called up Binghamton's Esix Snead.
Health Watch - Tony Tarasco suffered a severe sprain of his left ankle while trying to beat out a base hit last Sunday at Shea. He will be out of commission for the next 10-14 days.
Grant Roberts continues to throw on the side, with the goal of pitching some meaningful innings before this season is over.
A Fine Mess - Some on the Colorado Rockies felt that Timo Perez was a little too exuberant touching down on home plate after giving the Mets the lead a week ago Saturday, in the game that broke the Mets' 12 game losing streak. The next batter, John Valentin, was hit by a pitch in apparent retaliation, and the next day the Rockies threw at Perez twice! The second throw, by Kent Merker, caused Merker and Rockies manager Clint Hurdle to be ejected from the game. Meanwhile, in the bottom of the inning, David Weathers threw at Juan Uribe in apparent retaliation, leading to the ejection of Weathers and manager Bobby Valentine. On Thursday, MLB disciplinarian Bob Watson announced that Merker would be suspended four games, Weathers for three, and both managers would be suspended for one game starting Friday, and all four men would be fined - the Mets fines being $1,250 for Weathers, and $750 for Valentine. Weathers and Valentine are appealing their suspensions and do not have to miss any games while the appeals are pending.
It's a Shame - While the Shea faithful root root rooted for the home team in August, it was all for naught - the Mets did not win one home game in the entire month! They become the third team in history to go winless for a month, with a minimum of 10 games played - the only other teams who accomplished this dubious distinction were the 1969 Seattle Pilots and the 1996 Detroit Tigers. Saturday's loss also tied the Mets' record for consecutive home losses - the record of thirteen was first set in 1979. The following day, the Mets set a new team record and tied the National League record for consecutive home losses with their fourteenth.
Twice as Nice - Roberto Alomar hit his 200th career home run in Colorado on August 24th. That home run ball, as with most of Alomar's significant game souvenirs, was sent to his mother in Puerto Rico.
Also joining the 200 home run club was Jeromy Burnitz with his 9th inning home run against Philadelphia last Friday night.
Calling it a Day - Al Leiter has indicated that after this season he will retire as Mets player representative and hand the reins down to assistant representative Vance Wilson. Leiter replaced John Franco as the Mets' player representative in 1999, and was previously held that position while on the Florida Marlins.
Harold O'Shaughnessy, the Mets' senior vice president and treasurer, has stepped down to become a consultant for the club. O'Shaughnessy was originally brought into the organization by Nelson Doubleday, who sold his ownership shares in the club to Fred Wilpon and Sterling Enterprises earlier this month.
Not Waiving Goodbye - Because Mark Guthrie was claimed off waivers, the Mets could not trade him for the remainder of this season.
Family Time - Roberto Alomar enjoyed spending time with his brother, Sandy Alomar, Jr., in Denver. The Alomar brothers also had a chance to see each other earlier this season in Chicago, when the Mets played Chicago and Sandy was there as a member of the White Sox.
On the Off Day - Mo Vaughn spent last Monday's off day at his Columbus, Ohio home.
Hello, Old Friend - Norfolk first baseman Jorge Toca, who is out for the season with a broken leg, visited the Mets last Tuesday in Florida. Toca showed up in the visitors clubhouse, on crutches.
Down on the Farm - Newly acquired Jason Middlebrook was named the International League Player of the Week for the period of August 19-25.
Esix Snead was given the first annual Brian Cole Memorial Baserunning Award last week. This is an award for the top baserunner in the Mets organization. Snead is an especially appropriate recipient of this award - he played with Cole in the Arizona Fall League, and he draws BC in the batters box in his friend Cole's memory.
First round draft pick Scott Kazmir will hone his craft in the instructional league in Port St. Lucie starting later this month.
Daniel Garcia of the Port St. Lucie Mets was named the Florida State League's Player of the Week for August 19-25.
Home Plate Cookin' - Bobby V's Sports Bar and Restaurant isn't just for baseball anymore. The restaurant, located across from Shea at 37-10 114th Street in the Ramada hotel, will show every football game this season on its 30 television screens. Plus fans have until September 3rd to sign up for Bobby V's fantasy football team - for $15 you can have your own team on sportsline.com, chances to win great prizes, and a discount card for 15% off of food and beverages on game days. Even if you aren't in the league, everyone can take advantage of the Miller Lite and appetizer specials on game days. The restaurant's NFL Kick-Off party will be on Thursday, September 5th, complete with Miller Lite specials and surprise guests. Check out www.bobbyvs.com for more details or call 718-672-1200.
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.
