Pedro, Carlos, Omar ... and Adam

[Guest Adam Rubin]

This year the Mets celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their 2006 World Championship. Among the festivities will be an on-field reunion of the particulars. How do you see that working out?

a) Will all the principle players show?

I don't know yet. I guess we'll have to wait and see about Gooden.

Do you suspect the strains of the relationships of some of the stars of that team with the organization dampen the spirit of the thing?

I guess we'll have to wait and see about Ojeda, but I don't think it will be an impediment. Even the guys who left the organization this year, Teufel and Mookie, were helping sell tickets Sunday in New York, so there doesn't seem to be much tension.


c) Do you suspect the strains of the relationships of some of the stars of that team with the fans dampen the spirit of the thing?

I think they'll get embraced, as they should.

d) I notice that Darryl Strawberry, despite his latest arrest and estrangement from his wife Cherisse, has been brought back for a second go-round as a spring-training instructor. He also held an on-line chat at mlb.com where he declared that leaving the Mets was his biggest mistake. Should we (somewhat cynically) see this as part of a (somewhat cynical) time-intense campaign to rebuild his connection with Shea fans before he re-takes the field with his old teammates? Can we expect to see similar friendly faces from Dwight Gooden and Wally Backman in the next few months?

The Mets passed on Wally when they hired Juan Samuel as Double-A manager, so I don't see any interest in bringing him back to the organization now. Darryl has made it clear he wants no more role than a sporadic guest instructor. And if Gooden comes to the August event, I suspect that will be the extent of his Mets involvement.

e) Who in the Mets front office is doing the delicate work of arranging these festivities and bringing the principles back into the fold?

I'm sure there are several people, but I suspect they're leaning on Jay Horwitz in particular to round up the '86 gang.

[Guest The Brooklyn Bum]

Adam, what's it like working with Jesse Spector?

Errr...


Um....


I'll think of a real question...

[Guest Adam Rubin]

Adam - what was it like dealing with the players in terms of interviewing them for your book? Were they open to the project, or hesitant?

Actually, I mentioned the book to a handful of players late in the season, but for the most part it was just from the access I'm afforded working for the Daily News. Baseball writers are blessed with plenty of time around the players, which is why fans get a better feel for the players than in any other sport. For a 7 p.m. game, I'm in the clubhouse at 3:30 p.m., and not out until 6:15, except for batting practice. Now, during spring training, I'm in the clubhouse around 8 a.m. until they get ready to stretch at 9:30. Then I'm back in after the workout.

[Guest Bret Sabermetric]

Not sure if you missed this from page 2 of this thread, Mr. Rubin, but in case you did, I asked a question about how you choose what's important in helping you to decide how to cast a story:

Which do you value more--words Willie says, or actions Willie takes, in deciding how to tell the story accurately? For example, last week Willie was quoted as saying harshly (and correctly in my view) that Matsui is going to have to play well to get starts and at-bats, that his salary won't matter if he isn't playing well, etc, but these words are at odds with his practice (with Matsui and with others) in 2005, when he played veterans and never-will-be's getting high salaries over younger cheaper players. Did Willie change his mind after his first year? Is he just mouthing the words but is still committed to playing people on the basis of their salaries? Am I totally wrong about assessing Willie's practices in 2005 or his words in 2006?

[Frayed Knot]

Hi Adam, welcome back,

In general, how much stock do you put into the adage that it's much tougher for players - particularly new ones - to thrive while playing in NYC?
While I suspect that there is such a thing as players getting spooked by the increased scrutiny, I wonder if we Noo Yawkers aren't sometimes too quick to cite the bright lights/big city as cause-and-effect whenever a newcomer's numbers slip from their previous levels simply because it fits the pre-determined story line.
Are there signs you look for as to whether or not it really is the increased glare that's causing an off-season and are there some (Beltran maybe?) who you definitely thought were affected (and is any of this a part of the book)?

[Guest Adam Rubin]

Adam, what's it like working with Jesse Spector?

Errr...


Um....


I'll think of a real question...

He's a great guy. Thanks for checking in Jesse.

[Guest The Brooklyn Bum]

Just for the record, I'm not Jesse, but he's a buddy of mine.

I wouldn't got to that dump in the Bronx even if I was paid to.

Real question:

What's the hardest part of being a beat writer?

[Guest Edgy DC]

This year the Mets celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their 2006 World Championship.

Nice Kinerian slip there by Edgy.

[Guest Adam Rubin]

Which do you value more--words Willie says, or actions Willie takes, in deciding how to tell the story accurately? For example, last week Willie was quoted as saying harshly (and correctly in my view) that Matsui is going to have to play well to get starts and at-bats, that his salary won't matter if he isn't playing well, etc, but these words are at odds with his practice (with Matsui and with others) in 2005, when he played veterans and never-will-be's getting high salaries over younger cheaper players. Did Willie change his mind after his first year? Is he just mouthing the words but is still committed to playing people on the basis of their salaries? Am I totally wrong about assessing Willie's practices in 2005 or his words in 2006?

Sorry. Just an oversight ...

That's why it's so important to have experience on the beat. You can read between the lines. Willie praised Matsui all winter, but his actions last year in liberally playing Miguel Cairo spoke volumes.

The bottom line, too, is that Willie is the manager, and to a limited extent he's influenced by his bosses.

I sat in with Willie a few days ago when he said he intended to play the best people, but he hedged slightly by saying contracts must be considered. The bottom line is, if Matsui is on this team and Boone is not, Matsui will start the season at second base. But he'll be on a short leash if he's underperforming, with guys like Valentin and Chris Woodward poised to step in and fill the role.

You'll like -- or talk about, I think -- the story I've written for tomorrow. I think there's a chance you may see Matsui as the No. 2 hitter on a part-time basis this year.

[Frayed Knot]

"I think there's a chance you may see Matsui as the No. 2 hitter on a part-time basis this year."

I'm gonna guess that means Matsui as #2 while Castro is catching and LoDuca sitting, but we can wait until tomorrow's edition for that answer.

[Guest Adam Rubin]

In general, how much stock do you put into the adage that it's much tougher for players - particularly new ones - to thrive while playing in NYC?

Certainly the historical evidence -- whether it's the Mets or Yankees -- suggests it's real. The booing can make a player mentally fragile. If you remember Al Leiter's quote from last winter -- at least as told by David Sloane (which is in the book, by the way), Leiter basically says that the reporters chip away at your confidence, which feeds the talk-radio frenzy, which feeds the booing at the stadium, which further erodes your confidence ... New York isn't for everyone.

There also are time-management issues because of the media demands and obviously the tempations of living in Manhattan in many cases.





Are there signs you look for as to whether or not it really is the increased glare that's causing an off-season and are there some (Beltran maybe?) who you definitely thought were affected (and is any of this a part of the book)?

I'm not going to dispute that Beltran was affected to a certain degree by the scrutiny of New York, as opposed to K.C. or Houston. But I really believe the primary factor in his struggles was the quadriceps injury that he did not allow to fully heal. He had one stolen base until the final day of June. He was a guy who stole 40-plus bases the previous two seasons. The leg injury also didn't allow him to play his best center field, which probably compounded his hitting problems since he couldn't feel good about anything.

[Guest The Brooklyn Bum]

Also to piggy back on Frayed Knot's question:

Have any players (you don't have to name names) come flat out and said that playing/signing in NY was a mistake?

Have any complained about the booing/talk radio/tabloids?

Thanks.

[Guest Adam Rubin]

Real question:

What's the hardest part of being a beat writer?

A few things come to mind. 160 days a year on the road isn't ideal. And, in New York, seven papers cover road games, so there's plenty of competition, whether for a major story or minor one.

[Guest Adam Rubin]

"I think there's a chance you may see Matsui as the No. 2 hitter on a part-time basis this year."

I'm gonna guess that means Matsui as #2 while Castro is catching and LoDuca sitting, but we can wait until tomorrow's edition for that answer.

You just may be onto something, but please don't tell the other papers.

[Guest Edgy DC]

How seriously is the press corps taking the World Baseball Classic? How seriously are your editors? Will you be staying in Florida or going to some of the sites of the Classic?

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

On the subject of being on the road so often, what is your best story ever that's related to covering the Mets on the road?

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Wow. Adam Bomb drops in the Pool.

[Guest Adam Rubin]

Have any players (you don't have to name names) come flat out and said that playing/signing in NY was a mistake?

I joked with Tom Glavine for a few years about that, but he's never actually said it. None, honestly, come immediately to mind. Mike Cameron had a few moments, like when we approached him in K.C. in 2004, before Beltran was traded to the Astros. We asked him what he thought about the possibility of Beltran being a Met and he said he would have just signed with Atlanta if he knew that would happen.


Have any complained about the booing/talk radio/tabloids?

Many have complained. Al Leiter among the loudest.

Thanks.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Going way back in time (if this is before yours, please overlook):

But when Steve Phillips whacked Valentine's coaches in June of 99, did he hhave a replacement manager in mind in the event Bobby resigned? That question kills me.

[Guest Adam Rubin]

How seriously is the press corps taking the World Baseball Classic? How seriously are your editors? Will you be staying in Florida or going to some of the sites of the Classic?

I think U.S. sports editors, in general, won't treat it very seriously. If there's not a major player from your market playing, you'll probably see very little coverage, probably just an AP roundup.

I suspect the New York papers will treat it very differently. I expect we'll have reporters at most venues, though the focus -- expect maybe in a Cuba game -- will center on the New York athlete, whether it's Pedro, Jeter, Damon, A-Rod, Beltran, Delgado, whatever.

I'll be staying in Mets camp. That's the nice part about a large staff.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Adam, thanks for taking the time to candidly answer our questions!

Chase Lambin put up some sick stats in AA & AAA for a middle infielder last year, hitting 24 HR in under 400 at bats, yet I never hear him mentioned anywhere.

I know he's not exactly young at 26, but given our 2B situation, why isn't he ever brought up?

[patchyfogg]

Hi Adam, first time, long time.

Is it true that Bret Boone got Kaz's usual Spring Training locker?

And, who is Henry Owens and why is Paul LoDuca carrying his bags?

As always, thanks.

[Guest Adam Rubin]

On the subject of being on the road so often, what is your best story ever that's related to covering the Mets on the road?

Wow. That's tough. There are boring things, like trying to cover the trading deadline at Olympic Stadium in Montreal a few years ago with poor cell-phone reception. There was Mike Piazza declaring his heterosexuality in Philly. There also was getting to Coors Field in Denver real early one afternoon and stumbling onto Piazza taking ground balls at first base for the first time, using a glove that Joe McEwing had borrowed from Jeff Manto when they were cleaning out Manto's garage.

There are a couple of stories in the book set on the road that people might like. One was the opening series last season in Cincinnati, when MSG cameras claimed to have caught Jose Santiago in the stands behind the Mets' dugout. Another came in Houston at the trading deadline, when Marlon Anderson took Carlos Beltran to see a televangelist at the old Compaq Center where the Rockets used to play.

The reporters generally stay in separate hotels from the players -- intentionally on the reporters' parts -- so it's not too different a relationship with them than if the game were at Shea.

[Guest Adam Rubin]

Going way back in time (if this is before yours, please overlook):

But when Steve Phillips whacked Valentine's coaches in June of 99, did he hhave a replacement manager in mind in the event Bobby resigned? That question kills me.

You'd have to ask my predecessor, TJ Quinn, that one. I starting taking over for T.J. during Bobby Valentine's final year and got the beat officially in Jan. 2003

[Guest Adam Rubin]

Chase Lambin put up some sick stats in AA & AAA for a middle infielder last year, hitting 24 HR in under 400 at bats, yet I never hear him mentioned anywhere.

I know he's not exactly young at 26, but given our 2B situation, why isn't he ever brought up?

Anderson Hernandez is the future at second base. And from the Binghamton games I've seen, Lambin doesn't have major-league range, though he is a tremendously good person.

[Guest The Brooklyn Bum]

Adam, thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions.

I got one more that's been killing me:

Have you suspeced any Met of taking steroids or amphetamines?

Again, you don't have to name names, I'm just wondering if there was a 'buzz' that player x was on roids or uppers.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Why did Seo spend so much time dominating AAA hitters while Ishii was serving up batting practice last year?

In your opinion, was it institutional or a personality conflict or what?

On that note, Brian Daubach was having a monster season in AAA, and when he finally got called up, Willie hardly used him at all. Any idea of the rationale behind that?

[Guest Adam Rubin]

Is it true that Bret Boone got Kaz's usual Spring Training locker?

Thanks for the questions.

I want to say that's correct about Boone getting Matsui's old locker. The most senior major leaguers tend to get the corner lockers, like Boone, which pushed Matsui to the inside of a row. I'm not sure it means much. Jose Reyes is between Wright and Matsui on that row, and I know the Mets are high on him.


And, who is Henry Owens and why is Paul LoDuca carrying his bags?

Henry Owens is one of my new favorites. He's a great guy, in addition to an up-and-coming pitcher. For whatever it's worth, he and Philip Humber are very good friends. Henry is a converted catcher claimed in the Rule 5 draft who hit 100 mph on radar guns. His pitches are hard to pick up because he short arms the ball to a certain extent, so it looks like the ball is being released from his neck. I used this story in the paper a few days ago, but minor-league teammate Alhaji Turay, when he entered Henry into the phonebook on his cell phone, typed his name as Henry "Adam's Apple" Owens because of where the ball looks like it's being released.

As for the photo of Lo Duca carrying his bags, Henry was quite amused about that. He was walking into the clubhouse from the parking lot with some belongings. Lo Duca offered to help him. Photographers snapped away.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Care to make a prediction on the NL East standings?

[Guest Rotblatt]

]Anderson Hernandez is the future at second base.

Now that's interesting to me. Most of the experts over at BA & whatnot seem to think Hernandez is a future back-up, at best. Are the Mets pretty convinced that he's got a future as a regular?

On that note, are there any other minor leaguers who the Mets have their eyes on?