From the scoreboard at-bat graphics to the yearbook cover and everything in between. Go behind-the-scenes on our #SpringTraining productions set. pic.twitter.com/zH6sir2dNK— New York Mets (@Mets) February 28, 2019
Read more here.Less than three years since the name-the-team contest, the Rumble Ponies announced they will play a “What Might Have Been” game as the Stud Muffins this season. While the logo features an anthropomorphized muscle-armed muffin (banana-blueberry, maybe?), the name itself relates to carousels. In announcing the finalists in the name-the-team contest in 2016, the erstwhile B-Mets explained the option Stud Muffins like this: “While tipping a cap to the players on the field, the ‘Stud Muffins’ celebrates the collection of carousel horses belonging to Binghamtonians.”The game will take place Friday, June 14, against the Altoona Curve.
State Sen. James Seward, who represents upstate Cooperstown, where the Baseball Hall of Fame is located, is sponsoring a bill to honor the state’s longtime association with baseball.New York has recognized other “official” things in the past: Garnet is the official gemstone, sea scorpion is the official fossil, bay scallop the official shell, lilac the official bush, striped bass the official saltwater fish, and snapping turtle the official reptile.New York’s local teams help make a strong case for the bill.The Yankees in the Bronx are one of the sport’s most storied franchises with 27 championships.
Read more here.The Mets in Queens are, well, Amazin.’
“But when he passed the pitcher’s mound I thought he wanted to talk to Buddy [Harrelson at shortstop]. Then he passed Buddy and I was looking in the bullpen. I thought something was happening in the bullpen, he walks out to me and says, ‘Are you all right.’“I said I’m fine. He said, ‘Do you think you could have held him to a single?’ I said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘Gil, look down.’“When he looked down, his feet were under water and so was mine. It had rained pretty good that day. And we had had a talk in Montreal, a week or so before that. I had a bad ankle. It comes from my old football days and every now and then it would puff up on me.“We had a talk that day, and he said ‘Do you think you should come out of the lineup? I said as long as I’m swinging the bat good and I am not hurting the ballclub, I want to stay in the lineup.“I reminded him of that talk in Montreal and he said he forgot about that. He then said, ‘You know what, Jonesy? You shouldn’t even be out here, and I said fine. Let’s go, and we walked back to the dugout.
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Walker Lockett will start the Mets’ Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the Braves, according to Callaway. Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler will start the ensuing three exhibition games.Read more from the NY Post here.
Read more here.“We have a great analytical team and I am going to be that source that brings in the information to our coaching staff and to our players,” Rojas said Wednesday. “Taking in mind the relationships I have with the guys, maybe knowing them from the start of their careers and throughout their careers.”Much of Rojas’ work in quality control will occur pregame, presenting the coaches and players with the numbers in an understandable fashion. The position was added by the Mets this winter — many teams have been using quality control coaches over the past several seasons — in an effort by new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen to expand the organization’s analytical reach.During games, Rojas will be in the dugout, serving largely in his other role as the team’s outfield coach.
The St. Lucie County Commission is to vote this morning on a $57 million project to renovate First Data Field, spring training home of the New York Mets. Talks between the county and team officials have become contentious — largely over which side pays for what and how much of the original plan can be maintained in the face of escalating construction costs. If the County Commission fails to approve the contract at this morning's meeting, either rejecting it or attempting to delay a vote, the Mets were prepared to revoke their 11th-hour contribution of $2 million toward the project, cancel the contract and begin seek a new Florida spring training location for the 2024 season, TCPalm reported.Read more here.
“We will start getting ready for the possibility that we’re going to use the pitch clock on Opening Day,” Manfred said. “It’ll be a phase-in to get players and umpires used to it. But we’re still hopeful that we’re going to make an agreement with Tony [Clark] and the union on pace-of-play initiatives. Whether it’s by agreement or otherwise, the only prudent course at this point is to be in position to proceed if in fact we have an agreement under our collectively bargained right to do that.”
As part of his deal, Davis can opt out at the end of spring training if he isn’t placed on the major league roster. Juan Lagares and Keon Broxton are other right-handed hitters who can play center field, but Broxton might have to earn his spot on the roster. Gregor Blanco is another veteran outfielder in camp on a minor league deal.“With a big bat like [Yoenis] Cespedes out of the lineup and not knowing when he is going to come back and you have got some young guys, not really knowing their track record,” Davis said. “They have a lot of potential, a lot of talent but a lot of unknowns as far as track record in the big leagues and you just go from there. It’s a lot of opportunity and a great organization.”
T.J. Rivera, who played just six games in the minor leagues last season — he suffered a setback in his rehab from Tommy John surgery — will receive a look at third base, second base and first base this spring, according to Callaway. But in a crowded infield, the 30-year-old Rivera might face long odds to break camp with the team.I forgot about Cespedes. I wish someone listened to me about signing him.
Read more at the NY POST here.PORT ST. LUCIE — Yoenis Cespedes avoided issuing a guarantee Friday about returning this season but hardly sounded like somebody resigned to sitting out 2019.“At this moment I do feel like I will return,” the Mets outfielder said at First Data Field, where he has been working out with the team’s strength and conditioning coordinator, Mike Barwis. “It may be three months [of playing], it may be two months, it may be one month, but at this point, the way that I feel, I do think I can return.”
“I just want to force somebody’s hand,” Alonso said Saturday at First Data Field. “Ever since I was a young kid, ever since I was 3 years old, I dreamt about becoming a major league baseball player. My first word was ‘ball.’ This is something I have been looking forward to my entire life and I just want it to happen.”
The 6-foot-3 Alonso said he shed 12 pounds in the offseason and reported to camp at 240. The biggest question might be whether he can handle the job defensively, after showing improvement at first base last season, albeit not enough to earn a late-season look in the big leagues.Read more here.
Whole squad’s here...Are you ready? #LGM pic.twitter.com/6m6VN45OWY— New York Mets (@Mets) February 16, 2019
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Callaway said there is a “12-foot” alligator that frequents the backyard of the house he is renting during spring training. But that’s hardly the manager’s biggest issue with his digs: He returned home Thursday to find a geyser in the yard because a water pump broke, draining his entire swimming pool.Maybe the Gator caused the Geyser to shift the water from the pool to another position... Maybe we call this operation McNeil?
Jeff McNeil has appeared steady in early drills, according to Callaway, as he prepares for life in left field.Read more here.“He’s got some great instincts out there,” Callaway said. “He is going to do a very good job out there and he’s got a lot of confidence.”
McNeil played the outfield extensively during his college career, but was limited to eight games there during his time in the minor leagues. The expectation is McNeil will start in left field against most right-handed pitchers.
☘️☘️☘️☘️ #ComingSoon pic.twitter.com/jImD5BbdCo— The 7 Line (@The7Line) February 14, 2019
@The7Line has a new St Patrick’s Day cap that features Mr. Met as a leprechaun. @metspolice thinks this makes fun of Irish history and is politically incorrect. Read his post and then answer the poll is Shannon right?— keith blacknick (@Mediagoon) February 15, 2019
I understand it. If someone is one to get offended by Chief Wahoo or the Redskins name or the tomahawk chop, this and Notre Dame should be getting the same outrage from them.— Matthew Caldwell (@matthewc029) February 15, 2019
As someone who lives in Ireland,— Les McCaughan (@Lez_Mets) February 15, 2019
its an image that’s sold in every souvenir shop and Airport in Ireland, it is a stereotype but one everyone here accepts pretty much!
Friday is a bittersweet day for me; my final day with the @Mets. It's been an honor to represent this organization and I'm so thankful to have had an incredible 6 years in Flushing. Not going too far. Off to @BrooklynNets. #LGM #LGMForever— Mark Fine (@markfinepr) February 15, 2019
— New York Mets (@Mets) February 14, 2019
