Good morning, Mets fans.
Former MLB outfielder Frank Thomas passed away Monday at the age of 93. Thomas played for seven different teams during his 16 years in the majors, including three with the Mets. He was a three-time All-Star for his hometown Pirates before getting traded to the Cubs and then the Braves, eventually getting sent to the Mets in November of 1961. In the team’s inaugural season, Thomas clubbed 34 homers, a franchise record that stood until Dave Kingman hit 36 in 1975. Thomas took part in the Old Timers’ Day festivities at Citi Field this past summer along with some of his old teammates.
Latest MLB News
Corner infielder Travis Shaw announced his retirement from baseball on his Twitter account. The son of former All-Star reliever Jeff Shaw, the “Mayor of Ding Dong City” was drafted in the ninth round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Kent State University. Shaw smacked over 30 homers in both 2017 and 2018 and finished his career with 114 round-trippers despite never playing in a full season after 2018.
The Red Sox have signed catcher Jorge Alfaro to a minor-league contract, Chris Cotillo of MassLive reports. The Colombian-born backstop has a $2 million base salary if he makes the majors and can opt out of the deal as early as June 1 if he isn’t with the big club. Alfaro’s biggest issue has been his high strikeout totals and low walk rates, and in 274 plate appearances for the Padres this year, he hit .246/.285/.383 (94 OPS+) with seven homers and a 35.8% strikeout rate against just a 4.0% walk rate.
Latest on MMO
Tyler Antonelle profiles free agent outfielder David Peralta.
Brian Wright looks back at the Yoenis Céspedes contract, which MMO ranks as the sixth-worst signing in Mets history.
On This Date in Mets History
1984: The Mets snag a couple of shortstops, first selecting Kevin Elster out of Golden West College in the second round of the amateur draft. They also pick up Rafael Santana, who was released by the Cardinals earlier in the day.
Birthdays: Dario Álvarez (34)
