Photo by Ed Delany, MMO
Good morning, Mets fans! Happy Friday to you, as we wrap up the first week of Spring Training activities.
Here’s what you need to know:
Latest Mets News
Even though Spring Training has just started, new manager Luis Rojas is already determined to set a positive tone for his players. After meeting with his pitchers and catchers, it was clear that Rojas was all baseball and ready to put the negativity from a noisy offseason behind them.
On Thursday, the Mets’ longtime public relations manager Jay Horwitz announced that he has a book coming out this May. In the book, Horwitz will take a look back at his career with the Mets over the past five decades.
With the team of Pete Alonso and Dom Smith manning first base, Matt Adams says that he intends on taking more reps in the outfield during Spring Training.
Per Mike Puma of the New York Post: Zack Wheeler says he is not surprised by the fact that the Mets never contacted him this past December before he signed with the Phillies. According to Wheeler, that’s just how the Mets “roll.”
Dominic Smith has taken No. 2 after giving his No. 22 to Rick Porcello, reported Gregg Henglein of Newsday. To show his appreciation, Porcello donated to Baseball Generations, a player development academy in Los Angeles that Smith helped create.
Latest MLB News
Yesterday, the Houston Astros held a rather stilted press conference in which players Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve – as well as current manager Dusty Baker and team owner Jim Crane – addressed the media regarding the cheating scandal. Those involved expressed regret for their actions, as they read from pre-written statements and refused to take questions from the media.
Per Marly Rivera of ESPN: Speaking on the scandal, Astros shortstop Carlos Correa didn’t hold back, saying that reports of Carlos Beltran intimidating young players and not allowing them to speak up was “BS.”
Thursday marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Negro National Leagues. According to the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, the league was started by Ruth Foster in 1920 and included legendary players such as Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Satchel Paige, and Hank Aaron. In honor of this anniversary, both MLB and the MLBPA have made a $1 million donation to the Negro Leagues Museum for the second year in a row, according to ESPN.
If you were wondering where to watch college baseball during the upcoming 2020 season, Teddy Cahill of Baseball America has all the information (and links) that you need.
Latest NL East News
Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic examines how the Houston Astros’ cheating scandal is impacting the Washington Nationals, as they attempt to prepare for the regular season at the same Spring Training facility.
Latest on MMO
Michelle Ioannou takes a different route, writing that Michael Conforto doesn’t need a breakout season – he needs a consistent season.
Wondering what Jacob deGrom needs to do in 2020 in order to get that third-straight Cy Young? Matt Musico has an idea (or three).
Sivert Glarum brings us another Fan Shot, as he mulls over the top Mets players turned managers.
The Mets’ early optimism as Spring Training revs up is warranted this time around, says Tim Ryder.
This Day in Mets History
2006: The Mets sign Jose Lima.
2009: The Mets sign Livan Hernandez.
Birthdays: Tyler Clippard turns 35 and Kelly Stinnett turns 50.
LGM!
