" Heres proof that Jose was once a Met "
Yesterday, New York Newsday sports columnist, Dave Lennon tweeted that the Mets had scheduled an interview with former Met infielder and current St Louis Cardinal third base coach, Jose Oquendo for the still vacant managerial job.
Needless to say , Jose does have the qualities that Sandy Alderson is looking for in a manager – except managerial experience. Oquendo signed with the Mets at the age of 15 as an amateur free agent in 1979. In1983, he made his major league debut with the Mets as a shortstop. He was the first player in franchise history to be younger than the franchise itself since the Mets were born in ’62 and he was born in ’63. In 1985 Oquendo was traded to the St Louis Cardinals where he would spend the next seven season with the Cards until retiring after injuring his hamstring.
In 1997, Oquendo became a minor league coaching position with the Cardinals. In 1998, he was named the manager of New Jersey Cardinals of the New York-Penn League . In 1999 Jose was picked to become Tony LaRussa’s bench coach , and a year later, he moved to third base coach. Oquendo has limited major league managing experience – only a handful of games after LaRussa ejections and suspensions . Will Oquendo make a strong case for the managerial job ? It’s possible but I don’t expect him to bring out the line up cards next April.
And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!
Mets Alumni celebrating birthdays today are:
Possibly the best pitching coach the Mets ever had, Mel Stottlemyre is 69 (1941).
Reserve outfielder from the ’69 World Series winners, Bobby Pfeil is 67 (1943).
One of the most beloved Mte of all time, George ” The Stork” Theodore is 64 (1946).
Mets reliever from ’98-’99, Rigo Beltran is 41 (1969).
Releiever from the ’04 team, Vic Darensbourg is 40 (1970).
In What was quite possible Frank Cashen’s best trade , The New York Mets traded pitchers Calvin Schiraldi,and Wes Gardner along with outfielders John Christensen and LaSchelle Tarver to the Boston Red Sox for pitchers Bob Ojeda, John Mitchell, Tom McCarthy and Chris Bayer on November 13, 1985. Ojeda would be the piece that solidified a already scary pitching rotation.
New York Mets released infielder, Kelvin Chapman on November 13, 1985.
New York Mets released reserve first baseman,Tom Paciorek on November 13, 1985.
New York Mets released middle reliever,Brent Gaff on November 13, 1985.
New York Mets released outfielder, Chris Jelic on November 13, 1990.
New York Mets released outfielder, Keith Hughes on November 13, 1990.
And while you are tearing your hair out raking up leaves - 139 days until the Mets open the 2011 season against the Florida Marlins in Miami.
146 days until the Mets 2011 home opener against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field – Mo Vaughn will throw out the first pitch !!
5 comments
GravediggerHebner
11/13/2010-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
As manager of both the Puerto Rico WBC teams (2006 & 2009) Oquendo has managed Beltran, P. Feliciano, many former Mets and many current major leaugers. Whatever that means.
I suppose this is somehow racist but I’ll say it anyway – I saw that pic and thought “why did Rusty put a pic of Rafael Santana in this Jose Oquendo post?”
I wonder if Oquendo would bat the pitcher 8th?
Happy Birthday Mel and happy Bobby O trade anniversary!
rustyjr
11/13/2010-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
Lol I blame bing for the photo
metsfan4decades
11/13/2010-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
If those such as Heyman is reporting on ‘finalists’ candidates for the managerial job, I wonder why it’s being reported that Alderson is still bringing in new candidates to interview? Actually, he’s reporting the 3 finalists AND the first round ends Monday with Oquendo’s interview.
I don’t think anyone’s really sure of their facts right now.
I read somewhere yesterday that at least one source believes Chip Hale is in the finalists pool as well.
kingman 26
11/13/2010-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
Psssttt–What Heyman and his ilk say means nothing. Nothing.
Speculation from a lazy jackass sitting home and reporting rumors.
Same as us here, except we don’t pretend to actually know what’s going on.
kingman 26
11/13/2010-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
I can proudly say I saw Oquendo get his first major league hit. Was in Strawberry’s debut game in May of 1983. Soto against Seaver.
Darryl and Kingman combined for 5 Ks, and the Mets won on a 3-run HR from George Foster in the 13th, and Darryl was on base to score his first major league run, having drawn his 2nd walk.
Great memory!