Monday Morning — December 2002
The year is winding down, and we're still two and a half months away from spring training. November was a relatively quiet month, but with Art Howe back from Japan and Steve Phillips back from his Thanksgiving vacation, things should start heating up.
For light reading, check out my list of 2002 Top Ten Stupid, Freak Injuries. At the end of the month, look for my year end column for a comprehensive review of the 2002 Mets season. In the meantime, let me take this opportunity to wish a happy and joyous holiday season and new year to all of my readers!
Welcome Aboard - Art Howe's 2003 coaching staff was announced in November, and third base coach Matt Galante is the only holdover from last year's staff. The new coaches are Gary Pettis at first base; Denny Walling as hitting coach, Don Baylor as bench coach; Vern Ruhle as pitching coach; and Rick Waits as bullpen coach.
Displaced first base coach Mookie Wilson has reportedly been offered another position within the Mets organization.
Bring Your Credit Card. And Your Calculator - The Mets have introduced a new system of tiered pricing for the 2003 season, with games designated as Gold, Silver, Bronze and Value, depending upon the season, whether the games are weekend or midweek, and the opposing team. Bronze games will be the same price as last year's tickets, and Value games will be less. Dave Howard, the Mets senior vice president for business and legal affairs, said, "Overall, more than half the games will be at or below last year's prices. We are quite mindful of keeping games affordable for families and groups."
Location Gold (17 dates) Silver (21 dates) Bronze (27 dates) Value (16 dates) Inner Field Box $48 $43 $38 Inner Loge Box $48 $43 $38 Outer Field Box $36 $33 $30 Outer Loge Box $36 $33 $30 Mezzanine Box $36 $33 $30 Loge Reserved $31 $29 $27 Mezzanine Reserved $25 $23 $19 Upper Box $25 $23 $19 Upper Reserved $14 $12 $8 Family Fun in the Land of the Rising Sun - During the MLB All Star exhibition games in Japan last month, Roberto Alomar enjoyed being reunited with his father, Sandy Alomar, Sr., a coach for the team. Meanwhile, MLB manager Art Howe enjoyed hanging out with his son, Matt, a 26-year-old third base prospect in the Oakland Athletics' organization. Mets equipment manager Charlie Samuels provided the younger Howe with a Mets uniform for the journey.
And In Yet Another Distant Time Zone - All-star catcher Mike Piazza conducted youth baseball clinics at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin, Germany on November 12 and at the Acquacetosa Olympic Training Center in Rome, Italy on November 19 as part of Major League Baseball International's game development initiatives in Europe.
When in Italy, Piazza met Pope John Paul II on November 20 and Piazza presented the Pontiff with a Mets jersey.
Under a Bad Influence - Roger Cedeño was arrested in Florida on November 26. The Florida Highway Patrol arrested the Mets' outfielder after he was seen drifting into other lanes erratically in his car. Cedeño was released from the Manatee County Jail after posting a $500 bond. FHP troopers said Cedeño's eyes were bloodshot and there was a strong scent of alcohol on his breath. He failed a field sobriety test and was charged with a misdemeanor DUI. "It was a pretty benign arrest, no problem," said Mike Rushing, a spokesman for Florida Highway Patrol. "It was pretty routine."
A court date for Cedeño's DUI charge is set for Dec. 23.
Roster News - The Mets added first baseman Craig Brazell, outfielders Jeff Duncan and Prentice Redman and pitchers Heath Bell, Jeremy Griffiths and Phil Seibel to the 40-man roster.
Behind on the Rent? - The Mets might owe the city $1 million in back rent for Shea Stadium, according to the New York Post. "It's a projection based on an initial audit," Megan Sheekey, a spokeswoman for the Parks Department, told the Post. Sheekey said the estimate covers the past few years. The Mets pay about $10 million in rent each year, but the amount fluctuates based on attendance and revenue. Dave Howard, the Mets' senior vice president for business and legal affairs, told the Post that he did not think the team owed as much as the city estimated. "We're not saying we don't owe any money, but not to that level," Howard said.
Warm Thoughts on a Cold Day - When the Montreal Expos open their first "homestand" in Puerto Rico, the Mets will be their first opponent. Provided that the players' union approves of the Expos' plans to play 22 home games in San Juan, the Mets will play a four game series there April 11-14.
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.
