Here is a few more interviews from Tuesday’s Mets Holiday party.
First up is Justin Turner discussing his first full season with the Mets last season, and how he plans to improve himself during the off season.
Next is starting pitcher, Jonathon Niese giving his reactions to the swirling trade rumors, and addressing what he feels that he needs to improve in order to be a better pitcher next season.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
One of the worst Mets managers of all time, Art Howe is 65 (1946). No he wasn’t as bad as Jeff Torborg, but he wasn’t exactly Davey Johnson either !
One of the most prolific first basemen the Mets ever had, Mo Vaughn is 44 (1967). It still makes you scratch your head why the Mets agreed to trade for him after watching a 15 minute hitting session against a pitching machine.
Sadly on this date in 2002, one time Mets first baseman from the ’66 season, Dick Stuart passed away.
The New York Mets traded outfielder, Lee Walls to the Los Angeles Dodgers for utility infielder, Charlie Neal and middle reliever, Willard Hunter on December 15, 1961.
The New York Mets traded starting pitcher, Jack Fisher, reserve outfielder, Tommy Davis, middle reliever, Billy Wynne and minor league catcher, Buddy Booker to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder, Tommie Agee and utility infielder, Al Weis on December 15, 1967. This ranks up there as one of the best Mets trades of all time.
The New York Mets traded pitcher, John Pacella and utility infielder, José Moreno to the San Diego Padres for starting pitcher, Randy Jones on December 15, 1980. Yes Jones was a one time Cy Young award winner, but like most star players the Mets acquire, Jones was way past his prime. In 2 seasons with the Mets, Jones went 8-18 with a E.R.A of 4.69.
The New York Mets traded starting pitcher, Bob Ojeda and minor league pitcher, Greg Hansell to the Los Angeles Dodgers for third baseman, Hubie Brooks on December 15, 1990. I still feel this was a horrible trade. Yes Ojeda was coming off a mediocre season, but Brooks was past his prime.
The New York Mets traded reserve outfielder, Jeff Barry to the San Diego Padres for middle reliever Pedro Martinez ( no – not that Pedro !) on December 15, 1995.
The New York Mets signed free agent reserve outfielder, Carlos Mendoza on December 15, 1999.
The New York Mets traded Gold Glove Award winning shortstop, Rey Ordóñez to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for minor league infielders, Russ Johnson and Josh Pressley on December 15, 2002. That’s what happens when you call Mets fans “stupid” for booing you.
The San Francisco Giants signed second baseman, Edgardo Alfonzo of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 15, 2002. I just wish that Jose Reyes showed an ounce of the class that “Fonzie” did when he signed with the Giants. For those that don’t know or remember, when Fonzie signed elsewhere he took out ad space on New York City taxis to than us Mets fans for cheering him during his time here. Class act indeed.
The Mets drafted utility man, Eric Valent from the Cincinnati Reds on December 15, 2003.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed middle reliever, Roberto Hernandez of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 15, 2005.
The St. Louis Cardinals signed relief pitcher, Braden Looper of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 15, 2005. I feel Looper was unfairly maligned during his final season with the Mets. He quietly gutted his way through an arm injury which grossly affected his control.
Ibought Mo Vaughn his very own Easy Bake oven for his Birthday. I just have a feeling that the years supply of cake mix that I bought to go with it wont last past this Sunday !
10 comments
Anonymous
12/15/2011-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
dI always thought players should take it as a compliment when they were in trade rumors (well, most of them) since it means they are popular, instead of being insulted that their team does not want them.
Unless you are Jason bay, in which case it does mean they don’t want him.
Mr North Jersey
12/15/2011-5:37pm at 5:37 pm (UTC -4)
Here we go.
Hey Rusty were you able to get any autographs while you was there?
MetsFan4Decades
12/15/2011-8:34pm at 8:34 pm (UTC -4)
We need some more opinion/off season player moves type posts here.
If I have to try and debate some of these moves with some of those over at MMO all winter I think my head my explode.
Anonymous
12/15/2011-9:25pm at 9:25 pm (UTC -4)
the B man getting you down I see. For the life of me, i can’t see how he believes that Sandy does not want to win, intentionally.
Anonymous
12/15/2011-11:19pm at 11:19 pm (UTC -4)
Indeed. I couldn’t take it over there anymore so I just don’t visit the site. Joe D is headed for Sainthood with the patience he displays for some of that behavior.
SaltyGary
12/15/2011-9:25pm at 9:25 pm (UTC -4)
Well I don’t think folds over here want to bother debating the signing of guys like chuck James because it is just a minor league contract. People over there just want to use it as propaganda on why they LOVE Alderson.
It is a really weird dynamic over there. Seems so angry and personal with a splash of paranoia.
Anonymous
12/16/2011-2:24am at 2:24 am (UTC -4)
Chuck James??? yawnnnn. Now if we want to debate how funky Rick James was on a scale from SuperFreaky to George Clinton Parliment Funkadelic then I’m in.
SaltyGary
12/16/2011-2:19pm at 2:19 pm (UTC -4)
HaHa. I actually just downloaded a couple Ohio Players songs from iTunes to crank up the funk in the house.
Anonymous
12/16/2011-2:42pm at 2:42 pm (UTC -4)
Couldnt help but notice that some of the commentrs were looking at posts and asking about potentially adding in more trade talk / opinion articles. Recently the Mets have expressed interest in acquiring the services of Jack Wilson . It may not be the most exciting rumor but it is a conventional one. With Murphy supposedly starting at 2nd and tejada learning SS at the major league level this could actually be a significant signing as minute as it may seem to some. Wilson plays several infield positions and does it well. With two young infielders starting it would only benefit the team to have a veteran utility Infielder on the roster to balance out some the inherent disparities. As is noted above his career batting average stands at. 266 but really this is more of a defensive upgrade more than anything else in addition to an availability of intangibles that could be presented to young players. Just like to know what if anything you think of this or if there is another more viable option you feel would be a good fit for the Mets.
MetsFan4Decades
12/16/2011-4:24pm at 4:24 pm (UTC -4)
Well, they certainly need someone else who can play SS.
I don’t consider Turner a viable option for backup SS.
I’d have no problem with Jack WIlson.