Good morning, Mets fans!
On Friday, the San Francisco Giants fired Gabe Kapler after four years as the team’s manager. The highlight of Kapler’s tenure was an out-of-nowhere 107-win season in 2021, but the results in his other three years as the team’s leader were underwhelming. The Giants are officially eliminated from playoff contention after having a dreadful second half of the season and they will now be looking for a new manager this offseason. Kapler’s tenure in San Francisco ends with a 295-248 record.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Latest Mets News
Jeff McNeil revealed that he was dealing with a wrist injury in June and July, which he partially explains for his extended struggles this season.
Former Met Wally Backman and the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League agreed to mutually part ways after the 2023 season, ending his stint as their manager.
Cleon Jones, a key member of the 1969 World Series Mets, has a new permanent card in the simulation game Out Of The Park Baseball. Dave Stieb, a dominant starter for the Blue Jays in the 1980s, is the other new card alongside Jones.
Latest MLB News
Per MLB Communications, the average time of a baseball game during the 2023 season was 2:40, down 30 minutes from 2021 and 24 minutes from 2022. The 2:40 mark is also the shortest average time of game in Major League Baseball since the 1985 season.
Per Robert Murray of FanSided, outfielder Charlie Blackmon signed a one-year extension with the Rockies worth $13 million, with the possibility of another $2 million in performance bonuses.
Orioles’ owner John Angelos and Maryland Governor Wes Moore put out a statement on the new 30-year agreement that will keep the Orioles playing at Camden Yards.
Shohei Ohtani finished the 2023 season with the most popular player jersey in the league, the first time he tops the list. Francisco Lindor was the only Met to appear in the top 20, coming in at no. 19.
Former Met Tyler Clippard announced his retirement in a post on his Instagram page.
Latest on MMO
Michael Mayer writes about the plan for Brandon Nimmo to get an MRI on his shoulder after he injured it during Thursday night’s suspended game with the Marlins.
Michael Famulari breaks down the terrific final start of David Peterson‘s season.
Patrick Glynn writes about David Stearns’ introductory press conference planned for Monday.
Brian Wright looks back in time to five years ago yesterday, when David Wright played his final game as a Met.
Michael Mayer notes how prospect Jett Williams has his eyes set on the big leagues in 2024.
Metsmerized is looking for an editor to cover the site on Wednesdays. Candidates who are interested can message @mikemayer22 on Twitter/X.
On This Date in Mets History
1962: The first season in New York Mets history ended with a defeat at the hands of the Cubs by a score of 5-1. The loss was the team’s 120th on the year, securing a 40-120 record. Those 120 losses were, and still are, a modern day major league record.
2007: In a win-and-in scenario on the final day of the season, Tom Glavine infamously gave up seven earned runs in just 1/3 of an inning pitched. Glavine’s meltdown capped off what was a team-wide collapse down the stretch that resulted in the Mets unbelievably missing the postseason.
Birthdays: Yorkis Pérez (56), Dave Magadan (61)
