Sunday, October 31, 2010

METS new GM is a retired MARINE!

WELCOME SANDY ALDERSON!  As a Mets fan I'm bursting with excitement!  Is it April yet?  I know that as a retired Marine Sandy Alderson will whip this team into shape.  Hopefully this is the spark the organization needed to put the past two season far out of our minds.  During his 15 years with the Oakland A's Alderson assembled a team that won four division titles, three pennants and one World Series from 1983-97. 
Alderson who has been signed to a 4 year contract, was actually endorsed as a candidate by MLB commissioner Bud Selig which ultimately secured him the job.  His first tasks as METS general manager will be to choose a manager.  Next he'll need to settle the team's list of pressing baseball operations issues, including Hisanori Takahashi's impending free agency and Jose Reyes' 2011 contract option.  With eight players being owed more than $111 million next season, Alderson feels the Mets may not improve much until after next season, at which point they will gain enormous financial flexibility.

  Here's hoping the next 4 years are AMAZIN'

Sandy Alderson is the 12th general manager in Mets history.
GENERAL MANAGER TENURE
George Weiss 1962-66
Bing Devine 1967
Johnny Murphy 1968-69
Bob Sheffing 1970-74
Joe McDonald 1975-79
Frank Cashen 1980-91
Al Harazin 1992-93
Joe McIlvaine 1993-97
Steve Phillips 1997-2003
Jim Duquette 2003-04
Omar Minaya 2004-10
Sandy Alderson 2010-

Monday, October 4, 2010

A letter from the Red Sox


There's nothing like "October Baseball" at Fenway Park. You miss it. We miss it. We want it back.

While we fell short of our annual goal of reaching the postseason, we are proud nonetheless of the way this team conducted itself through serious adversity - showing grit, determination and a team-first attitude.

We are also proud of you, our loyal fans. Through injury (and more injuries) and after hard-to-swallow losses, you continued to fill Fenway Park and support the team. When the kids were called up, you learned their names, their stories, and applauded them as your own. When you saw our veterans playing though their bodies weren't cooperating, you took note and appreciated their heart and spirit. When we were struggling, you were there. When we had walk-off wins, you were there.

We work for you. Our players play for you. It gives us immense pride to do so. You are the rock on which this franchise is built.

We know the best way to honor you is not merely to thank you, but to go out and honor our fundamental commitment to field an excellent team in 2011, another one worthy of your avid support.

We can do better. We will do better. We are committed to winning. For you, for us, for the whole of Red Sox Nation.

Once more, we say "Thank You".

Pitchers and catchers report in 132 days,
(signatures)
John Henry | Tom Werner | Larry Lucchino

A message from Mets Ownership

October 4, 2010

Dear Mets Fans:
Thank you for your support during another extremely disappointing season. Like you, all of us at the Mets had high expectations for 2010 and we did not come close to meeting them. Since reaching the National League Championship Series in 2006, we have underperformed. The failure is unacceptable and we share your anguish.
As Ownership, we are ultimately responsible and have determined that changes are necessary to produce a winning team for the long term.
Earlier this morning, we relieved Omar Minaya of his duties as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations & General Manager, and advised Jerry Manuel that we are declining to exercise the club's option on his contract as Manager for 2011. We appreciate all that Omar and Jerry have done for the Organization and thank them for their time and effort. Changes like these are never easy, especially when dealing with people you like and respect.
We feel a fresh perspective in the leadership of our baseball department will elevate the performance of our club. That person will work with Ownership to hire a new Manager and will be responsible for creating a winning culture.
We have a lot of work to do to regain your confidence and support. Thank you for the opportunity to do so.


Fred Wilpon
Chairman & CEO
Saul Katz
President
Jeff Wilpon
COO