GaryMrMets
04-04-2002, 11:53 PM
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/phi/news/phi_news.jsp?ymd=20020404&content_id=4422&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp
04/04/2002 6:37 pm ET
Mesa inks contract extension
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- Jose Mesa has already christened Major League ballparks in Baltimore, Cleveland and Seattle, so he might as well go for a fourth in Philadelphia.
The Phillies gave him that chance Thursday, signing the rejuvenated closer to a contract extension that could keep him in Philadelphia through the 2004 season, the year the Phillies open their new ballpark across the street from Veterans Stadium.
Mesa, who was eligible for free agency at the end of the season, will earn $4.75 million in 2003, a $1.35 million raise from his current $3.4 million salary. The contract carries a $5.5 million option for 2004, which automatically kicks in if Mesa finishes at least 55 games in 2003. He finished 59 last season.
The total value of the contract can balloon to $12.25 million if Mesa meets certain performance bonuses.
"I like it here," said Mesa. "They gave me a pretty great opportunity and now the opportunity to sign one more time. I'm happy."
The 35-year-old saved 33 games for the 1999 Mariners, but lost his closer's job to Kazuhiro Sasaki in 2000. His velocity and positive attitude convinced Phillies manager Larry Bowa, then Seattle's third-base coach, to bring Mesa to the Phillies as a free agent.
Resuming his role as a stopper, Mesa nailed down saves in 42 of 46 chances and posted a 2.34 ERA, both second to his career-best 1995 season with the Indians. The 42 saves were one less than Mitch Williams' team record of 43, set in 1993.
"Larry was the one who brought me here when I was a free agent when nobody believed in me and gave me the opportunity to be a closer one more time," said Mesa. "He deserves all the credit.
"I knew I could (close again), but a lot of people doubted me. Even some people in my hometown were saying I was too old and I was stealing money from Philly. I just proved them wrong, and I'm glad that Philly gave me the opportunity."
More than his value to the 2002 Phillies during the ninth inning, Mesa, 35, has taken on the always necessary role of big brother to the team's younger Latin bullpen mates, notably Carlos Silva and Jose Santiago.
"They ask me things," said Mesa. "If I know the answer, I tell them."
"I don't think he pushes himself on guys," said Bowa. "I think those guys go to him. They watch how hard he works. They watch his routine before a game."
Santiago, who arrived during the 2001 season, has been absorbing as much information from Mesa as he can.
"He works hard every day, and I know he's been doing it for a long time. I know he can help me a lot," said Santiago.
Mesa debuted in 1987 for the Orioles as a starter, and his last season in Baltimore -- 1992 -- was the first for Camden Yards. Two years later with the Indians, he broke in Jacobs Field, then was traded to San Francisco in 1998, during the final year of Candlestick Park. He didn't open Pac Bell though, instead opting for Seattle to christen SAFECO.
"I'll go for four, why not?" said Mesa, on opening the Phillies' new home.
Assuming he opens the new park, Mesa isn't interested in going for five, as his career moves to date have left him travel weary. He can see finishing his career in Philadelphia.
"I got tired of every few years being on a different team," he said. "This means a lot," he said. "I don't know if this going to be my last contract of not. It's possible that I could finish here."
Ken Mandel covers the Phillies for MLB.com and can be reached at ken.mandel@mlb.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Jose Mesa had 42 saves and a 2.34 ERA for the Phils in 2001. (Scott Martin/AP)
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/images/2002/04/04/NnosGJdy.jpg
http://www.mlb.com/phi/photo/ph_play_mugshot_118986.jpg
Jose Mesa /P Height: 6'3" Weight: 225 Bats/Throws: R/R
04/04/2002 6:37 pm ET
Mesa inks contract extension
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- Jose Mesa has already christened Major League ballparks in Baltimore, Cleveland and Seattle, so he might as well go for a fourth in Philadelphia.
The Phillies gave him that chance Thursday, signing the rejuvenated closer to a contract extension that could keep him in Philadelphia through the 2004 season, the year the Phillies open their new ballpark across the street from Veterans Stadium.
Mesa, who was eligible for free agency at the end of the season, will earn $4.75 million in 2003, a $1.35 million raise from his current $3.4 million salary. The contract carries a $5.5 million option for 2004, which automatically kicks in if Mesa finishes at least 55 games in 2003. He finished 59 last season.
The total value of the contract can balloon to $12.25 million if Mesa meets certain performance bonuses.
"I like it here," said Mesa. "They gave me a pretty great opportunity and now the opportunity to sign one more time. I'm happy."
The 35-year-old saved 33 games for the 1999 Mariners, but lost his closer's job to Kazuhiro Sasaki in 2000. His velocity and positive attitude convinced Phillies manager Larry Bowa, then Seattle's third-base coach, to bring Mesa to the Phillies as a free agent.
Resuming his role as a stopper, Mesa nailed down saves in 42 of 46 chances and posted a 2.34 ERA, both second to his career-best 1995 season with the Indians. The 42 saves were one less than Mitch Williams' team record of 43, set in 1993.
"Larry was the one who brought me here when I was a free agent when nobody believed in me and gave me the opportunity to be a closer one more time," said Mesa. "He deserves all the credit.
"I knew I could (close again), but a lot of people doubted me. Even some people in my hometown were saying I was too old and I was stealing money from Philly. I just proved them wrong, and I'm glad that Philly gave me the opportunity."
More than his value to the 2002 Phillies during the ninth inning, Mesa, 35, has taken on the always necessary role of big brother to the team's younger Latin bullpen mates, notably Carlos Silva and Jose Santiago.
"They ask me things," said Mesa. "If I know the answer, I tell them."
"I don't think he pushes himself on guys," said Bowa. "I think those guys go to him. They watch how hard he works. They watch his routine before a game."
Santiago, who arrived during the 2001 season, has been absorbing as much information from Mesa as he can.
"He works hard every day, and I know he's been doing it for a long time. I know he can help me a lot," said Santiago.
Mesa debuted in 1987 for the Orioles as a starter, and his last season in Baltimore -- 1992 -- was the first for Camden Yards. Two years later with the Indians, he broke in Jacobs Field, then was traded to San Francisco in 1998, during the final year of Candlestick Park. He didn't open Pac Bell though, instead opting for Seattle to christen SAFECO.
"I'll go for four, why not?" said Mesa, on opening the Phillies' new home.
Assuming he opens the new park, Mesa isn't interested in going for five, as his career moves to date have left him travel weary. He can see finishing his career in Philadelphia.
"I got tired of every few years being on a different team," he said. "This means a lot," he said. "I don't know if this going to be my last contract of not. It's possible that I could finish here."
Ken Mandel covers the Phillies for MLB.com and can be reached at ken.mandel@mlb.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Jose Mesa had 42 saves and a 2.34 ERA for the Phils in 2001. (Scott Martin/AP)
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/images/2002/04/04/NnosGJdy.jpg
http://www.mlb.com/phi/photo/ph_play_mugshot_118986.jpg
Jose Mesa /P Height: 6'3" Weight: 225 Bats/Throws: R/R