Baseball Guru
12-23-2004, 07:31 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=metsgalarraga&prov=st&type=lgns
December 23, 2004
FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) - First baseman Andres Galarraga, who missed all of the 1999 season while battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, on Thursday signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets and was invited to spring training.
The 43-year-old Galarraga played in seven games with Anaheim last season, batting .300 with a homer and two RBI. He also hit .304 with four homers and 19 RBI in 25 contests at Class AAA Salt Lake City of the Pacific Coast League.
Galarraga will be re-united with Mets general manager Omar Minaya, who was the Expos GM when he played in Montreal in 2002.
"I've seen first hand how Andres can influence and instruct young players," Minaya said. "His health is not an issue and I look forward to seeing him play in the spring."
Galarraga, who contracted the disease for a second time in November 2003, is one home run shy of 400 for his career.
"The first reason why I want to come back is for my family and friends who supported me throughout my career," he said. "Maybe others can use it as motivation that they can beat it, too. Also, I'm one home run from 400 and that record would be nice."
Galarraga returned in August after getting the green light from his doctors.
"I want to go out on my own terms," he said. "I've known Omar from the time I played in Montreal and he is a great person and a great man."
The Mets signed nine other players to minor league contracts, including righthander Scott Strickland, infielder Marlon Anderson, catcher Juan Castro and outfielders Kerry Robinson and Gerald Williams.
December 23, 2004
FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) - First baseman Andres Galarraga, who missed all of the 1999 season while battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, on Thursday signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets and was invited to spring training.
The 43-year-old Galarraga played in seven games with Anaheim last season, batting .300 with a homer and two RBI. He also hit .304 with four homers and 19 RBI in 25 contests at Class AAA Salt Lake City of the Pacific Coast League.
Galarraga will be re-united with Mets general manager Omar Minaya, who was the Expos GM when he played in Montreal in 2002.
"I've seen first hand how Andres can influence and instruct young players," Minaya said. "His health is not an issue and I look forward to seeing him play in the spring."
Galarraga, who contracted the disease for a second time in November 2003, is one home run shy of 400 for his career.
"The first reason why I want to come back is for my family and friends who supported me throughout my career," he said. "Maybe others can use it as motivation that they can beat it, too. Also, I'm one home run from 400 and that record would be nice."
Galarraga returned in August after getting the green light from his doctors.
"I want to go out on my own terms," he said. "I've known Omar from the time I played in Montreal and he is a great person and a great man."
The Mets signed nine other players to minor league contracts, including righthander Scott Strickland, infielder Marlon Anderson, catcher Juan Castro and outfielders Kerry Robinson and Gerald Williams.