Original Met Rod Kanehl dies at 70
"Hot Rod," as Kanehl was known, played in the Major Leagues for three seasons, all with the Mets, beginning in their expansion season of 1962."Baseball is a lot like life," Kanehl once said. "The line drives are caught and the squibbles go for base hits. It's an unfair game." Kanehl may have viewed baseball as an unfair game at times, but for the Kansas native, baseball was more than fair for three wonderful years in the early 1960s.
"Hot Rod," as Kanehl was known, played in the Major Leagues for three seasons, all with the Mets, beginning in their expansion season of 1962. His 340-game career lasted until 1964, when he retired at the age of 30. Though four decades had passed since Kanehl put on a uniform, he remains etched in the hearts of Mets fans as a player who was "Super Joe" before there was a "Super Joe" McEwing. Originally signed by the Yankees in 1954, Kanehl was traded to the Reds in 1960 before the Mets acquired him prior to the 1962 season. Kanehl quickly established himself as a favorite of New York's lovable skipper, earning the nickname of "Casey's Boy."
Kanehl played in 133 games that first season in New York, hitting a career-best .248 with four homers and 27 RBIs while seeing action at first base, second base, third base, shortstop and in the outfield. He continued to display his versatility in each of the next two seasons, playing 109 games in 1963 and 98 games in 1964 before calling it a career.
Kanehl also worked for the Ollis Insurance Co., was a building contractor, restaurateur, and was employed at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles and the Quarry Golf Club in Palm Desert, Calif., before retiring.
Mets ink Galarraga, nine others
December 23, 2004 - Andres Galarraga agreed to a minor league contract with the Mets and would get a $600,000, one-year deal if he is added to the major league rosters.
The 43-year-old first baseman, who has 399 homers, spent the final month of the season with the Angels and went 3-for-10 with one homer and two RBIs in seven games. He batted .304 (31-for-102) for Triple-A Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League with four homers and 19 RBI.
"I've seen firsthand how Andres can influence and instruct young players," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. "His health is not an issue, and I look forward to seeing him play in the spring."
Galarraga missed the 1999 season after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, then hit .302 with 28 home runs and 100 RBI with Atlanta in 2000. The disease reoccurred in November 2003.
"The first reason why I want to come back is for my family and friends who supported me through my cancer," Galarraga said. "Maybe others can use it as motivation that they can beat it, too. Also, I'm only one home run from 400 and that record would be nice."
A five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove, Galarraga has a .288 career average and 1,425 RBIs.
New York also agreed to minor league contracts with right-handers Scott Strickland, Grant Roberts and Juan Padilla; catchers Ramon Castro and Andy Dominique; infielder Marlon Anderson; utilityman Luis Garcia; and outfielders Gerald Williams and Kerry Robinson.
Strickland, removed from the Mets' major league roster Monday, would get a $650,000, one-year deal if he is added to the major league team. Anderson also would get $650,000.
Mets to tender offer to Zambrano?
December 21, 2004 - The prospects of Victor Zambrano not being part of the Mets rotation in 2005 was remote at best. But until the club tendered him an offer, as it was expected to do on Monday, there was always the possibility that New York would sever ties with the talented right-hander.
Mets introduce Pedro to New York
December 16, 2004 - Introduced as the Mets' new ace on Thursday at Shea Stadium, three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez was his charismatic self with the New York media.
Martinez signed a four-year, $53 million deal, but his 2005 salary will be right around $11 million.Martinez signed a four-year, $53 million deal, but his 2005 salary will be right around $11 million. He agreed to take less so the Mets could attempt to sign some other free agents.
General manager Omar Minaya said that he has already fielded calls from several big-ticket free agents who are interested in signing with the club as a result of Martinez's arrival, but he declined to name who they were. Martinez described himself as "a simple man" who wouldn't be able to win a championship alone.
"We're going to need help for this team to get to the playoffs," Martinez said. "I'm not going to be able to do it alone. If you guys are expecting me to do it alone, that's not going to happen."
He added that signing with New York was never about the money since he's been a millionaire since he was 24. If money were all he was after, he could have stayed in Boston.
"You didn't pick up a bum on the streets," he said. "This was more about the commitment from the team than it was about the money."
That is a good thing considering that the Mets are still currently courting several stars, including Carlos Delgado and perhaps even Magglio Ordonez, neither of whom will come cheaply. Moises Alou also remains on the radar screen.
Manny-to-Mets rumor livens Sunday session
December 13, 2004 - A wild rumor circulated at the Winter Meetings on Sunday, in which the Mets would send Mike Piazza to Boston for Manny Ramirez. As it turns out, only half the rumor is wild.
Mets acquire Heredia from Yanks
December 3, 2004 - Felix Heredia and Mike Stanton traded boroughs on Friday, crossing town as the Mets acquired the 29-year-old Heredia from the Yankees in a swap of left-handed relievers.
Mets' Minaya considering all the options
The Mets are actively speaking with the agent for Richard Hidalgo on a new contract that would keep the 29-year-old outfielder in New York, GM Omar Minaya said Friday.
