The Manager of the Year award will be announced this afternoon by the Baseball Writers Association of America. You don’t usually see managers of perennially good teams win the award because they are expected to win. The writers prefer rags-to-riches stories, but sometimes it is harder to win with a bullseye on your back. I agree with the consensus, which has Washington’s Davey Johnson and...
Read More
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels was named the American League Rookie of the Year for the 2012 season. It was unanimous and Trout received all 28 first place votes. The 20 year old had a season for the ages. Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish were the other two finalists. In the National League, the Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper took home the...
Read More
When it all started for Tom Seaver. In explaining part of the Mets’ problems over the years, consider they haven’t produced a Rookie of the Year in nearly three decades, which is a substantial drought. (Sorry, but I can’t resist: Jason Bay won it while with Pittsburgh in 2004.) The Mets have produced four Rookies of the Year: Dwight Gooden (1984), Darryl Strawberry (1983), Jon Matlack (1972)...
Read More
This usually is a fun time of the year when you get to speculate where the top free agents will land. The Mets make it easy on us, because we know they won’t go after anybody of substance. No offense, Mike Nickeas and Anthony Recker. The most popular theory is the Mets will jump into the free-agent market when, 1) the Wilpons sell the team, 2) when they resolve their financial problems, or 3)...
Read More
KIRK NIEUWENHUIS, OF PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS: Our player review series concludes today with a look at the bench, which wasn’t without questions. With Ruben Tejada and Lucas Duda starting, that thinned the bench. Mike Nickeas was behind the plate; Justin Turner a capable reserve in the infield; and Scott Hairston and Mike Baxter were in the outfield. Kirk Nieuwenhuis opened the season in the minor...
Read More
