Mets News For Wednesday 2/26/2003

[GaryMrMets]

Mets' 5th spot up for grabs
Middlebrook, Bacsik in front
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/story/62638p-58431c.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/ips_rich_content/726-bacsik.JPG
Mike Bacsik

Al's a perfect pitchman
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/story/62642p-58435c.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/ips_rich_content/580-leiter.JPG
A fan favorite at spring training in Florida, Al Leiter could have a future in politics.

WE'LL KNOW IN APRIL IF METS ARE FOOLS
http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/31190.htm

NOT A GOOD START
http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/31189.htm

http://www.nypost.com/photos/web02260360.jpg
JASON MIDDLESBROOK (left) and MIKE BACSIK

METS SELLING NAME OF SPRING COMPLEX
http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/31202.htm

http://www.nypost.com/photos/web02260361.jpg
MIKE PIAZZA Two-run homer.

A Prospective Possibility
Heilman's best value to Mets may be in deal for Beltran
http://www.nynewsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-mets263147757feb26,0,2787087.story?coll=nyc%2Dspor ts%2Dpromo

http://www.newsday.com/media/thumbnails/photo/2003-02/6752915.jpg
Aaron Heilman

Bacsik & Middlebrook Don't Take the Fifth
http://www.nynewsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-mnotes263147756feb26,0,1440683.story?coll=nyc%2Dsp orts%2Dpromo

[GaryMrMets]

Notice at the photo on the bottom of this post it lists bullpen instructor Bobby Floyd. What does Floyd know about pitching when he was a SS, 2B, & 3B for BAL, & KCR in his career.

http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2003-02/6759606.jpg
Mets' Roberto Alomar awaits his turn at bat during an intra squad game today at Thomas J. White Stadium, the Mets' spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Photographed on Tuesday, February 25, 2003. (Newsday / Kathy Kmonicek) February 25, 2003

http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2003-02/6759650.jpg
Mets prospect Jae Weong Seo pitches during an intrasquad game at Thomas J. White Stadium. (Newsday / Kathy Kmonicek) February 25, 2003

http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2003-02/6759664.jpg
Mets' Jeromy Burnitz clowns for the camera before an intrasquad game at Thomas J. White Stadium. (Newsday / Kathy Kmonicek) February 25, 2003

http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2003-02/6759666.jpg
Cliff Floyd bats during an intrasquad game. (Newsday / Kathy Kmonicek) February 25, 2003

http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2003-02/6759669.jpg
Mike Piazza launched a home run during yesterday's intrasquad game. (Newsday / Kathy Kmonicek) February 25, 2003

http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2003-02/6752915.jpg
New York Mets' Aaron Heilamn pitches during an intra squad game at Thomas J. White Stadium, the Mets' spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Newsday / Kathy Kmonicek) February 25, 2003

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030226/capt.1046282758.mets_spring_flrs104.jpg
New York Mets relief pitcher John Franco works off the practice mound in Port St. Lucie, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003. (AP Photo/Rick Silva)
- Feb 26 1:05 PM ET

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030226/capt.1046282961.mets_spring_flrs103.jpg
New York Mets manager Art Howe ponders a reporters question after the last workout of spring training in Port St. Lucie Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003. The Mets open the pre-season Thursday in Port St. Lucie with a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. (AP Photo/Rick Silva)
- Feb 26 1:08 PM ET

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030226/capt.1046282690.mets_spring_flrs105.jpg
New York Mets pitcher John Franco works off the practice mound under the watch of bullpen instructor Bobby Floyd, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003. Franco is coming back this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. (AP Photo/Rick Silva)
- Feb 26 1:04 PM ET

[Cyberlibrarian]

Considering that the bullpen coach is Rick Waits and not Bobby Floyd, and that the picture is of Rick Waits, I would say that the person who wrote the caption doesn't know diddly.

[GaryMrMets]

Cone Given Clearance by Mets to Pitch

.c The Associated Press

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (Feb. 26) -- David Cone will get his first spring training start with the New York Mets in a split-squad game Saturday against Baltimore in Fort Lauderdale.

The 40-year-old right-hander, who didn't pitch in 2002, threw in the bullpen Wednesday, then was given the go-ahead to face the Orioles by pitching coach Verne Ruhle.

"Things have gone well, I've made a lot of progress,'' Cone said. "It's nice to get that confirmation from your pitching coach.''

Cone had left camp for two days to be with his wife, who had minor surgery, and returned Tuesday night. He is trying to make the team as the fifth starter or a reliever after not pitching last season.

Cone, who last pitched for Boston in 2001, threw sliders, split-fingered fastballs and curve balls during his mound session.

Also Wednesday, left-hander John Franco threw off the mound for the second time this spring. Franco, recovering from elbow ligament-replacement surgery, threw 40 pitches and said the elbow felt fine. He did have some soreness in the triceps.

"It felt good, I'm trying to hold back a little bit because I don't want to get too excited,'' Franco said.

Manager Art Howe said his lineup for Thursday's exhibition opener against St. Louis will mirror his Opening Day lineup, except for the pitcher. Pedro Astacio will work a couple of innings Thursday, while Tom Glavine will start the season opener against the Chicago Cubs on March 31.

"We're going to try and find a lineup that works the best, see how they fit together and try to stay with it as much as possible,'' Howe said Wednesday following a short workout.

Howe said Roger Cedeno (center field) will lead off, followed by Robert Alomar (second base), Cliff Floyd (left field), Mike Piazza (catcher), Mo Vaughn (first base), Jeromy Burnitz (right field), Ty Wigginton (third base) and Rey Sanchez (shortstop).

Last year, the Mets went 11-18 during spring training and played poorly in the field as they prepared for opening day. Howe said there isn't a premium on winning games, but he'd like to see the defense perform well so that it gives his pitching staff confidence.

"It's not vital,'' Howe said of spring training wins. "Obviously you'd like to get some momentum going, but I've seen teams have terrible springs and great seasons.''

Mets Agree to New Deal With Catcher Wilson

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The New York Mets agreed on a one-year contract with reserve catcher Vance Wilson, who set career highs in almost every offensive category last season.

In 74 games, Wilson hit .245 with five homers, 19 runs and 26 RBI. He appeared in 60 games behind the plate, 40 as a starter.

Wilson, who turns 30 on March 17, owns a .254 batting average with five homers and 32 RBI in 111 career games.