Good morning, Mets fans!
Ken Davidoff wrote an article remembering Shannon Forde, the late media relations guru for the Mets who passed away from breast cancer five years ago this month.
Davidoff talked to David Wright about Forde and her “nurturing aspect” and how she was like a mother figure to guys like Wright — when they were young and when they were stars.
You can read the full article here.
Now let’s get into the morning briefing.
Latest Mets News
The Mets beat the Marlins 5-3 yesterday behind the bat of Francisco Lindor. You can read the recap of the game here.
Seth Lugo isn’t throwing yet, but he’s “responding well to treatment” as he progresses through his rehab.
Jacob Resnick reports that the Mets signed minor league catcher Martin Cervenka to a deal.
Latest MLB News
Players like Fernando Tatis Jr. (shoulder soreness) George Springer (oblique strain), Zac Gallen (hairline fracture), Kyle Freeland (shoulder injury), Robbie Ray (bruised elbow), Kirby Yates (potential Tommy John surgery) and more are likely miss a bit of time as the MLB season gets underway.
These injuries happen during the spring as players try to warm their bodies after a dormant winter, and it’s always unfortunate when it happens to guys most important to their respective teams.
An arbiter determined Nationals pitcher Erick Fedde doesn’t have any more minor league options, according to the Washington Post‘s Jesse Dougherty. This leaves the Nationals with less rotation flexibility if they want to keep Fedde from passing through waivers.
Check out this Sports Illustrated profile of Kim Ng, the Marlins general manager who is about to start her first season — or any woman’s first season — as GM of a pro sports franchise in North America.
There’s also a wonderful oral history of Randy Johnson killing a bird with a fastball done by The Athletic‘s Zach Buchanan.
Latest on MMO
Rich Sparago looks over the 1978 trade that sent Bud Harrelson, one of the best players in Mets history at that point, to the Phillies.
Doug M. details MMO’s rankings of the No. 21-25 ranked prospects in the Mets system.
Joey Lucchesi is looking forward to a “new beginning” with the Mets, writes John Flanigan.
MMO Digital
On today’s episode, host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Aram Leighton, host of the Locked On Marlins podcast for a Division Day crossover show!
In this two-part episode, Ryan and Aram talk about the Marlins ending their long playoff drought last season and where they stand heading into 2021. They also compare the current Marlins strategy to build around young starting pitching to the 2015 New York Mets.
On This Date in Mets History
The Mets traded for Jason Bay — yes, that Jason Bay — on this day in 2002! However, the Mets then flipped Bay and other pieces to the Padres for Jason Middlebrook and Steve Reed, two pitchers who combined to start 32 games for the team. Bay returned to the team eight years later and became one of the more disappointing free agent signings in team history. Perhaps the should’ve never traded him in the first place.
Also on this day in 1961, the Mets were approved to build by the New York State Senate to build Shea Stadium, which became their second home park after playing their first two seasons at the Polo Grounds.
Also, happy 33rd birthday to Dellin Betances!
