27
2011
My Simple Plea To Sandy Alderson
An article by 
Dear Sandy,
It’s been a real treat having you running things around here these last few months.Quite frankly, it’s been a breath of fresh air. I admire your seriousness, your constant communication with all of us, and the transparency in how you run this franchise. You’re doing a fine job under what I consider to be some very difficult and extraordinary circumstances and we all commend you. You have the support of great and proud Mets fan base.
That said, I do have a few concerns and I would like to share them with you.
Let’s face it… After the unfortunate comments made by Mr. Wilpon in those two ill-advised magazine interviews, much of the good will and positive feelings that were built up with your hiring and some of the personnel and player moves you made, have slowly dissipated into thin air. Only a wisp remains.
Injuries to Angel Pagan, Ike Davis, David Wright and today R.A. Dickey, only serve as a constant reminder of the last two agonizing seasons, and that’s never a good thing.
A horrendous slump by Jason Bay is starting to feel a lot like an Oliver-Perez-sized-headache, only much worse considering our left fielder will get paid $82 million dollars - more than double what our friend Ollie was costing us.
It’s getting to be a little bit too much, if you know what I mean.
We need some positive vibes and some real energy and excitement to start emanating from Citi Field again. Something akin to an Orange and Blue infusion of Jolt in our systems. Wouldn’t you agree?
Check this out… Here are three ideas that I believe could recharge the fan base and get all of us excited, totally jazzed, and pumped again, but more importantly for the team… it will get Mets fans to buy tickets in droves again.
Here goes…
1. Get A Deal Done With Jose Reyes Now – Whatever it takes, sign Jose Reyes. Build the team around him, not without him. Right now the only team Jose Reyes can negotiate with is us. So why squander that opportunity? It gives us an advantage that no other team has. When Mr. Wilpon said on Monday that Jose Reyes won’t get a big deal, you were quick to say not to read anything into that, and you eased our concerns by saying we shouldn’t assume Jose Reyes won’t be re-signed. That’s great, but for some of us, it’s not enough. If you meant what you said, why not prove it by acting on it? In the Spring, you said you wanted to see what Jose Reyes was still capable of on the field before starting any negotiations – a wise decision considering his injury history. Have you seen enough? Let me help.. Jose Reyes leads the National League in base hits, multiple hit games, triples and stolen bases and is batting .319 with a .371 on-base percentage. Don’t you think the timing is right for you to press No. 7 on your speed dial and get the ball rolling? Jose has said repeatedly he wants to stay with the Mets, and the overwhelming majority of Mets fans want him to stay… Please give him a call.
2. Retire Mike Piazza’s Number – I can’t for the life of me understand why this hasn’t happened yet. What’s the hold up? What’s the delay? I know that money is in short supply these days, but will it really cost that much to paint the Number 31 on the wall and buy Mike a new car? It’s going to be the 10-year anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11 this September. What better way to lift the spirits of the Mets fan base, than by honoring the player who lifted the spirits of a city in mourning and a wounded nation a decade ago? Let’s give Mike Piazza his much-deserved due, and get this done already. In all honesty, shouldn’t he be in our Hall of Fame before the one in Cooperstown? Last time I checked we didn’t have a five year waiting period. (We love you Mikey!)
3. A Monument To Tom Seaver - Whatever happened to that monument of Tom Seaver that we were told about in 2008? Was that not in the final budget? How can we build a brand new stadium to house our proud franchise, and not have a statue of “The Franchise” himself, George Thomas Seaver? Was Tom Terrific not terrific enough to warrant such an honor and distinction? Almost every new park built in the last two decades have statues honoring their most legendary players welcoming fans into their beautiful ballparks? Where’s ours? I know this can’t be done in three weeks or even thee months, but if you can simply promise us that on Opening Day in 2012 we will be treated to a magnificent sculpture honoring the greatest Met of all time, you will have the adoration and thanks of a passionate fan base that loves and always embraces their Mets history. Come on… do it for us.
There you have it…
Three simple fixes to lift the malaise that still lingers over all of us.
Think it over and get back to us, and let’s work something out.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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I agree whole heartedly. Just be prepared for the Sandy bashers to nail you.
Yes, lets do these things especially number 1. The other two are important also but I could wait on them if they need more time to plan them.
Commission a statue of the best owner this team ever had. Mrs. Joan Payson.
She’s the one who brought in all the great baseball minds that provided our early success. Guys like Gil Hodges, Yogi Berra, George Weiss, Casey Stengel Johnny Murphy, Bing Devine and Whitey Herzog.
She’s the one who allocated the money to go out and sign Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan, Tug McGraw, Gary Gentry, Cleon Jones, Bud Harrelson, Ed Kranepool and sprang for the money to pick up Donn Clendenon.
She was far and away the best owner this team ever had and she was totally preoccupied by getting the best players, not just whoever happened to be available every off season.
Good sir, I bow to you.
No, really, great piece. I’m waiting for the day we retire Piazza’s number.
I just dont get the Tom Seaver thing at all. I think the reason the canned it is probably because everyone wanted that silly homerun apple in fron of citifield. Personally, I think that apple is ridiculous it symbolizes homeruns and Shea and Citi are pitchers parks, and we had the pleasure of having one of the greatest pitchers of all time pitch for the Mets.
I would love to see a Statue of Tom “The Franchise” Seaver at Citi Field. I would also love them to make it more orange and blue..Eh, what do i know, I can’t even afford to buy tickets to a game but, i have seen a lot of video and pictures and Citi Field just does not scream NY Mets enough. Makes one miss Shea.
Joe – I’m backing you up on this – How could anyone around this team say no to these plans for Jose Reyes, Mike Piazza, or Tom Seaver?
And, thanks to David, the team will have some $$$$$ to pay for these awards now.
I’m especially concerned for Jose Reyes – I think he would find it hard to leave the only baseball home he’s ever known – he’s very special here, and very comfortable.
Mike Piazza would be thrilled to pieces to be in the Mets Hall of Fame and have his number retired by the team. This one’s really easy – let’s do it.
And for Tom Seaver – the Mets brass should be ashamed that they have neglected him for so long. Tom is a great man and I’m sure he’s been wondering if all his work for the Mets has been for naught. Let’s do the right thing for Tom Terrific – we owe him Big Time.
I’m with you, Joe, thanks for speaking up – I’m sure that Sandy would listen to these plans.
#4 give out steroids to each player to help avoid the injuries as u did in Oakland
#5 give out a copy of money ball for each ticket purchased so we can see what Pittsburgh looks like first hand in the greatest city on earth
#6 teach fundamentals because tc sure can’t
#7 sign a few pitchers so we can have a staff not made up of recycled trash and AAA talent
#8 go to school so you can learn the meaning of the word bench
#9 learn how to use the offseason to fill holes with real talent
#10 stop the act and give us real answers not hot air
Pittsburgh has three pennants since 1988. We have one, despite having the largest payroll in the entire NL.
Monkeyball doesn’t work.
Yes those 18 straight losing seasons are a lot to be proud of
Notice how the total moron agee ignores recent history, ignores the fact that until the earfly 890′s the Piraters competed financially as salaries weren’t nearly what they have been since. agee is just an a hole who twists everything around to spreas his hate on former regimes because it is obvious he worlds for the met front office. shame on you agee for being a complete tool and jerk.
LOL agee a total moron? Says the dipshit who writes “890′s” and can’t even spell early right.
agee, not sure why harry has to call you a moron. That’s uncalled for.
But the Pirates haven’t really been a “moneyball” franchise. In fact the pirates did a terrible job with the draft up until their newest regime. Same as Kansas City.
Just because you have a low payroll doesn’t mean you are a moneyball team. In fact there’s no such thing as a moneyball team in 2011 because it was a description to compete with the early 2000′s when sluggers were who you built a team around.
That’s half the reason why OBP was undervalued at the time. People looked at HR/RBI as the bulk of their evaluations.
In 2011, nobody does that anymore.
A team like KC for example has turned the corner with Dayton Moore and the #1 reason? When he came on, they invested MORE money into the draft and the farm. And it is starting to show
Joe D, excellent article. The Mets should have retired Piazza’s #31 years ago, at least in 2009 when Citi Field opened. That would’ve coincided nicely with all the Dodger themed paraphanallia in the park since Piazza started out with the Dodgers. I also agree that Tom “Terific” should’ve already had a statue in place. But where are the statues of other Met greats, such as Bobby Bonilla and Vince Coleman? LOL
Agree to a degree on all three points, but as Liz said, #1 is the only one that is urgent. Honoring Piazza and Seaver would certainly placate a lot of Mets fans who feel our own history has been slighted at Citi, but recalling the past is not really going to help with the future. And, frankly, I don’t see how a #31 painted on the wall or a Seaver statue out front is going to get Mets fans to “buy tickets in droves again” except maybe for the one game devoted to each.
Let’s face it, the only thing that will get fans pumped up and buying tickets is a WINNING TEAM — and an EXCITING winning team at that. And that’s why Wilpon’s comments hurt: He was essentially telling us that no matter how much we may like Jose Reyes and no matter that he is the most exciting player in the game, he will NEVER get the kind of money he’s looking for with the Mets, so we might as well kiss him goodbye now. And Sandy’s attempt to backtrack on that is not going to mean anything unless, as you say, he gets a deal done NOW.
So sure, put up numbers and statues; build a Kranepool Kanal and a Grote’s Grotto too! But keep Reyes on this team, or we will know that all the glory is in the past, and we can look forward to a second-rate future.
#4 Erect a statue similar to Seaver of Gil outside his entrance.
1) As much as I want this to happen, Jose has to meet Alderson half way. If Reyes really wants a Crawford deal (and there is no real evidence to prove he does but hypothetically) then, unfortunately, that is simply not in the Mets’ best interest as a franchise. Yes, it would sell some tickets for this year, but a sustainable winner will sell many more tickets, especially in a few Octobers.
2) and 3) would be lovely, but they would clash with the lovely Brooklyn Dodgers motif Fred has going on. I keed I keed. Seriously, you are dead on with those. The most noted part of the new stadium has a monument to a guy who was never part of this franchise. How about something for the only guy in the Hall of Fame in our uniform? How about something for the guy who will probably be next? Is it really that involved to schedule Mike Piazza Day for September 24 or something? Are Tommy Lasorda and Steve Philips that busy they can’t come here for an afternoon and enjoy an open bar?
Dear Alderson parrot, someth=imes called donutz and claiming to be donal.., Jose doesn’t have to do anything with Sandy. His value goes up every day. Unlike like garbage men like you Jose has value and it only increases when he is a free agent. As for the best interests oif the franchise, anyone whve a clue, so just wo can’
t comprehend the financial value of the most exciting guy to ever play with Mets on his jersey, THAT IS YOU, doesn’t have a clue so just eat your crackers and stop telling Jose what he has to do.
Dear Ignorant pigeon – go back in hiding or come back with one of your other alias and remember how to construct a sentence.
You are a real pig and I wish someone would ban you already. You have no business discussing baseball with other people on this site because you conduct yourself like an animal.
It’s not that often that the blogger’s here get everything right but you did it here Joe D.
We, the fans have been in the dark as to where we stand financially due to the Madoff scandal. Are we going to be players in the upcoming free agent market? Is there going to be a fire sale at the trading deadline? If the minority partner deal with David Einhorn goes through and by some miracle the Wilpon’s survive this witch hunt the team will have the money needed to compete again…Lots of if’s but to the matter of this blog…..
Signing Jose Reyes and not trading him or A HEALTHY David Wright would be big. Carlos Beltran will be gone unless he will play for a whole lot less money and a 2 year contract at most. The days of long term contracts especially for pitchers is gone for good. Sandy Alderson will see to that. There is still a very good nucleus here of everyday players when healthy. If Jason Bay finds his stroke things would be much better.
Finally, New York Mets fans want and deserve to see our hero’ honored.
Retiring Mike Piazza’s # 31 jersey to a position on the wall and enshrining him in our Hall of Fame is a no brainer. It would be terrific for it to happen this coming Sept 11th. There would be not a dry eye at Citi Field on a day like that.
Last but not least would be that statue to honor our greatest player. Before he arrived in 1967 we were still being laughed at. Nobody ever laughed once he got to Shea Stadium and for most of us older fans, Tom Seaver is our youth. His work gave us our first real Kodak moments as Met fans. Who doesn’t remember where they were the night that Jimmy Qualls became a known entity. There were so many days of excellence and did we not cry when he was banished to Cincinnati in 1977. To this day I cry when I see news reels of that event. Tom Seaver was the most professional of all the players we have ever had and his likeness as you enter Citi Field should be displayed in bronze for all to see….
Do it Fred..get it done!
Ironic how Seaver and Reyes are connected here, it will be much moreso if Reyes is traded in July, as Seaver was. While Tom was the greatest Met ever still in his prime, Jose is a superstar barely into his prime, much younger, so trading him would be even WORSE than that pathetic move in 1977!
Great article JoeD.
I hope that Mets don’t wait till Tom Seaver has passed away cause then it would be seen as a lame attempt to honor our franchise player.
Piazza needs his # retired, maybe next year.
Jose being re-signed would be the foundation to this team moving forward in my opinion.
You lock up your lead off hitter and best defensive presence other than Ike at 1b and give stability to the infield and team.
Show fans that though you don’t know what dollar amount it will take to sign Jose that you will not wait till end of season to start negotiations with him. I say call his agent and start exchanging numbers while you have June, July, August and Sept to work a deal, behind the scenes and quietly if possible.
If you wait till after the season then you have a limited amount of time following the end of WS, hopefully Met’s are part of it
, but the time element is important.
I believe that Jose will be reasonable while making sure he gets the money he is entitled to.
Joe D for President…of the Metsies at least!
Cant argue with any of this. If they were to announce a day for Piazza, there would be a ton of excitement for us to look forward to and having him back at CF would be a definite treat. If it does happen I hope SNY will be able to cover the entire ceremony and not do their pregame show while it’s going on.