Keith Hernandez was smoking at first base.December 23, 2003 - The final statistical line on Keith Hernandez's career says he is a borderline Hall of Famer.
Statistics, however, should only be part of the package when considering a player who had the kind of impact on his team the way Hernandez had during his 17-year career with the Cardinals, Mets and Indians.
Hernandez was one of the pillars of the mid-eighties' Mets resurgence that culminated in the 1986 World Series Championship.
He had previously won the World Series in 1982 with the Cardinals before being sent to New York in a lopsided trade for pitchers Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey.
With the upcoming Hall of Fame voting, Hernandez will appear on the ballot for the ninth time. Even if he is elected, he would likely be enshrined as a Cardinal, having played most of his career in St. Louis.
That would leave Tom Seaver as the only player in the Hall actually wearing a Mets cap.
Mets still looking for closer
December 22, 2003 - The non-tender deadline passed somewhat quietly Saturday, with few splashy names dotting the latest list of available players.
Braden Looper had 28 saves in 34 opportunities last season for the world champion Marlins.One of Duquette's top priorities, should a potential deal for the White Sox's Billy Koch continue to remain stalled, is to find a closer. There are two potential closers on the list of new free agents: former Marlin Braden Looper and former Indian Danys Baez.
Looper had 28 saves in 34 opportunities last season for the world champion Marlins but lost his job to Ugueth Urbina in the second half. The Fish just signed former Met Armando Benitez over the weekend, making Looper, 29, expendable.
Baez, meanwhile, brings some heat (mid-to-high 90s) but has consistency problems similar to those that plagued Benitez during his time with the Mets. The Cuban blew 10 of 35 save opportunities in 2003, precipitating his move back to a less prominent role in the Cleveland bullpen.
Still, he is only 26 and working with New York pitching coach Rick Peterson could be just what he needs to get himself righted.
Mets sign Strickland, two others
December 22, 2003 - The Mets on Monday signed Scott Strickland to a one-year deal worth $650,000, two days after not tendering him a contract.
Scott StricklandStrickland was 0-2 with a 2.25 ERA for the Mets last year in 19 games. In 20 innings, he allowed 16 hits, six runs -- five of which were earned -- with 10 walks and 16 strikeouts before blowing out his elbow in May. His performance bonuses start at $25,000 if he appears in 35 games.
He'll receive an additional $25,000 if he appears in 40 games, $35,000 more at 45 games, $40,000 if he pitches in 50 games, $25,000 if he reaches 55 games, and $50,000 for each game past 60, 65 and 70.
New York also re-signed lefty Pedro Feliciano and righty Jeremy Hill to minor league deals.
Mets sign McEwing
Joe McEwing"Joe can help you in so many different ways, " said Mets General Manager Jim Duquette. "His versatility allows Art to have many different options throughout a game."
Last season, the 5-11, 210 pound utility man appeared in five games at first base, 55 games at second base (42 starts), two games at third base (one start), 42 games at shortstop (24 starts), 16 games in left field (four starts), one game in center field (one start) and two games in right field.
"I'm excited about staying in New York and continuing to be a part of the Mets organization," said McEwing. "I am looking forward to being able to help the team be successful in anyway I possibly can."
The 31-year old McEwing played in 119 games last year, batting .241 (67-278) with 31 runs, 11 doubles, one home run, 16 RBI and three stolen bases.
Over four seasons with the New York Mets, Joe has played in 416 games, hitting .242 (220-910) and has played every position on the field with the exception of pitcher and catcher.
Mets present Cameron at Shea
December 18, 2003 - Mike Cameron has already moved into big shoes. He figures moving into New York will be no sweat.
Mike Cameron is all smiles now.Cameron, who decided to move east to be closer to his family, hit .253 with 18 homers and 76 RBIs in 2003 for Seattle.
"This will be one of the toughest challenges I've handled, baseball-wise," the Mets' new center fielder said during his formal introduction Thursday afternoon at Shea Stadium. "But I had to replace Ken Griffey Jr. [in Seattle] and came through that all right.
"I'm very gracious about, and thankful for, the opportunity to play in Shea Stadium. I look forward to playing well here. We all know the benefits of playing well here."
Cameron meant that from a personal perspective. He has spent his impressively productive seven-year career in relative obscurity, save for brief flashpoints of notoriety: Being acquired from Cincinnati by Seattle for Junior, laying out for a highlight catch, hitting four home runs in a game.
Mets re-sign Franco
December 17, 2003 - The New York Mets announced Wednesday that they have re-signed left-hander John Franco to a one-year deal worth $1 million. He can earn another $1 million in bonuses.
John Franco"We're confident that Johnny has fully recovered from his surgery of two years ago and that he will be a productive member of our bullpen," said Jim Duquette, the Mets General Manager. "He will provide veteran leadership for our bullpen."
Franco, 43, was 0-3 with a 2.62 ERA in 38 games with two saves last season for the Mets.
John came back to pitch for the Mets on May 30th after missing the entire 2002 season because of "Tommy John" surgery on May 15, 2002.
"I still think I can be a productive pitcher," said Franco. "I am completely healthy now and I pitched better the second half of the season. My doctors tell me that you get better results the second year after surgery, so I'm looking forward to this season. I just want to contribute to my team and help us win. I'll do whatever Art wants."
John, who was named New York's team captain in 2001 in a team vote, will enter his 15th season with New York and 21st season in the majors. Since joining the Mets in 1990, Franco holds club records for most saves (274) and games pitched (643).
Franco is second on the All-Time Saves List with 424 saves, behind Lee Smith and ranks sixth on the All-Time Games Pitched List with 1,036 appearances.
Cameron decides to play for Mets
December 13, 2003 - Despite being offered a slightly more lucrative deal by Oakland, Mike Cameron decided to play for the Mets on Saturday, opting to be closer to his home on the East Coast.
Though Cameron's agent confirmed the deal, the Mets are not expected to formally announce it until this week.
Sanders could still be a Met
December 12, 2003 - Reggie Sanders may still wind up with the Mets after all.
Sanders' agent on Friday downplayed a published report that said the outfielder is in a position to accept a two-year, $6 million deal from the Tigers.
He said a deal with Detroit was "nowhere near done."
Matsui is now a Met
The latest new era in Mets history was ushered in with Kaz Matsui.December 10, 2003 - Kaz Matsui sat down to lunch Wednesday afternoon with Mets minority owner Saul Katz and immediately noticed his 1986 World Series ring.
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The Kaz Matsui File Age: 28 Position: Shortstop Hometown: Osaka, Japan Japanese Team: The Seibu Lions of the Pacific League 2003 stats: .305, 33 HR, 84 RBIs, 13 SB Fast facts: • He is a seven-time Japanese League All-Star. • He was voted one of "The Best Nine" from 1997-2003. • He was the league MVP in 1998. • He won Gold Gloves in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2003. • He led the Pacific League in stolen bases from 1997-99. • He led the Pacific League in hits from 1999-2002. • He is only the eighth player in Japan since 1950 to hit .300 in a season with 30-or-more homers and 30 or more stolen bases. • He has played in 1,143 consecutive games, the fifth-longest streak in Japanese history. • He is the sixth Japanese player to play for the Mets joining Takahashi Kashiwada, Hideo Nomo, Masato Yoshii, Tsuyoshi Shinjo and Satoru Komiyama. |
As Matsui, Katz and the rest of the New York brain trust enjoyed their meal, jokes were made about how the Mets' new shortstop was going to help his new teammates earn a little championship jewelry of their own.
And with that, the latest new era in Mets history was ushered in. Matsui, 28, laughed and joked, showing a great deal of personality and poise, two characteristics management is hopeful he will display on the field for at least the next three seasons.
The seven-time Japanese League All-Star and 1998 Pacific League Most Valuable player certainly has the credentials to back up the $20.1 million deal New York gave him.
"The signing of Kaz Matsui fits perfectly with our plan and is a huge first step towards improving our club," said general manager Jim Duquette, who he spoke to former Mets manager Bobby Valentine as late as Wednesday morning to get his opinion on Matsui.
"With Matsui and Jose Reyes anchoring the middle of infield, we feel we'll have one of the best double-play combinations and most athletic top of the lineups in the game."
Mets, Wilson agree to one-year deal
Vance WilsonWilson proved his worth in 2003 after Mike Piazza went down with a severely torn groin muscle in May.
Stepping into a starting role for the first time in his career, Wilson excelled.
The reserve catcher appeared in a career-high 96 games for the Mets in 2003, notching career-highs of 8 home runs and 39 RBI.