The Continuing Careers of Ex-Mets

[Guest Edgy DC]

Um, Xavier Nady went 1-4 in his Pirate debut, playing first base. Here's a story about Kevin Stocker, who finished his career as a Met spring training invitee, one of a group of such players I like to call "Nellies," after Nelson Briles.

Injuries made Stocker's career come up short after Abreu deal

By ED BARKOWITZ

barkowe@phillynews.com

It appeared to be just another innocuous baseball trade.

On Nov. 18, 1997, the Phillies, coming off a 68-94 season, dealt shortstop Kevin Stocker to Tampa Bay for Bobby Abreu, the Houston Astros outfielder the Devil Rays had just selected in the third round of the expansion draft.

Stocker, who five seasons earlier solidified the Phillies' only hole during their magical run to the 1993 pennant, remembers the day clearly. He was at home with his wife, Brooke, and the two were cooking dinner and keeping an eye on the draft (which is about as romantic as most major leaguers get).

"I didn't know who Bobby Abreu was at the time, I don't think anybody did," Stocker said. "Obviously now it turned out to be a pretty good trade for Philly."

Boy, did it ever.

Abreu, traded by the Phillies to the Yankees on Sunday, would go on to become one of the best-hitting outfielders in Phillies history.

Injuries kept Stocker from ever recapturing the success he had as a rookie.

"Tampa Bay was a miserable place," Stocker said. "At the time, the organization really struggled. It's still struggling, but they're trying. It kind of sucked the life out of me. By the time I left there, I had quite a few injuries. I had a good time in Anaheim [in 2000], except I was hurt most of the time. At the end of the season, with the injuries, I had lost some of the fire. I didn't want to play anymore. I was going to be home with my kids."

Stocker spent two-plus seasons in Tampa, a half-season with the Angels and had an invitation to a Mets spring-training camp before discovering his fire for playing had been extinguished.

Stocker hit .262 in his five seasons in Philadelphia with 14 home runs and 172 RBI. He was a midseason call-up for the rollicking 1993 club, the last Phillies team to play in the postseason. He hit a career-best .324 that year and played well enough defensively that manager Jim Fregosi used him as the everyday shortstop shortly after his memorable debut on July 7 at Dodger Stadium. Though he went 0-for-6, he did contribute a sacrifice bunt in the decisive frame as the Phillies won, 7-6, in 20 innings.

Stocker, the Phils' second-round pick in 1991 out of the University of Washington, retired from baseball at 31. These days, he lives in Liberty Lake, Wash., a suburb of his native Spokane, and spends his time "coaching everything I can" for his three children, who range in age from 6 to 9.

He also works part-time as a field manager for Rockwood Property Management, a residential real estate development firm, and serves as a color analyst during college baseball season for the cable network CSTV.

Stocker is 36 now and, though he toils in relative anonymity in the Great Northwest, Stocker remembers his days in Philadelphia with great fondness.

"It's so different out here because everybody's a Mariners fan," he said during a break at skateboarding camp for one of his children. "I can walk around here and no one really knows me. I can come back to Philadelphia for a day and fans know me. That's why Philadelphia was so fun to play [in]. That's where I had my best years."

[Guest Edgy DC]

Mike DeFelice, who was the senior member (I assume) of the B-Mets, in order to play Crash Davis for Mike Pelfrey, has been promoted to Norfolk.

Heading down to Binghamton to take his place is floundering prospect Joe Hietpas.

[Elster88]

Edgy DC wrote: playing first base.

!!!!!

[Theoldmole]

] Heading down to Binghamton to take his place is floundering prospect Joe Hietpas

He needs his mom.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Mike Bacsik, blowing minds.

Dan Joseph

Reports

Bacsik looking forward to next big league opportunity

Aug 3, 2006 12:49 PM EDT

In a season where former Sidewinders are making an impact in the majors, a 28-year-old former big league southpaw is quietly having one of his best seasons, but he's doing it in the Pacific Coast League.

Mike Bacsik says, "It's definitely the best start I've ever had, probably the best team I've ever played on in AAA. It's definitely not all me."

With a win on Tuesday night, Mike Bacsik's record stands at a perfect 11-0 including a 2.40 ERA, perhaps earning him another shot in "The Show."

"There's nights where I've not been so great, but we've been able to score a lot of runs and I've been able to put a lot of zeros on the board and get a win," Bacsik says.

Teammate John Weber says, "He's not going to throw 97 miles an hour by you. He does well and he hits his spots. Obviously, his numbers don't lie."

With a win on Tuesday night, Mike Bacsik's record stands at a perfect 11-0 including a 2.40 ERA, perhaps earning him another shot in "The Show."

Bacsik says, "I thought everything was going great and I thought this would be my fourth or fifth year in the big leagues right now. Unfortunately, it hasn't happened that way."

Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1996, Bacsik was traded to the Mets in 2001 and spent part of two seasons playing in New York until signing to play for his hometown Texas Rangers in 2004.

He joined the D'backs farm team after being released by Washington following spring training this year.

According to Bacsik, "It's tough. It's tough to deal with being a triple-A guy and wanting to get back to the major leagues and hopefully the Diamondbacks give me the chance this year."

With Arizona's starting staff in disarray, it's hard to explain why Mike hasn't gotten the call to the mound at Chase Field.

Bacsik says, "I haven't heard anything. They haven't communicated with me at all on the big leagues or going to the big leagues. I just have to go out there and pitch well and, hopefully, if it's not with the Diamondbacks this year, it will be with someone else or the Diamondbacks next year."

[Guest Edgy DC]

Marco Scutaro looks to finally cash in.

Scutaro worth every penny

A's get more than their money's worth from utility infielder

By Ryan Quinn / MLB.com

OAKLAND -- At the end of the season, the A's will have decisions to make with several free agents. Some of the more notables are Barry Zito, Frank Thomas and Milton Bradley.

Another free agent that won't get as many headlines, but has been just as important to the team's success over the last three years is backup infielder Marco Scutaro, whose one-year contract is up at the end of the 2006 season.

Marco Scutaro has belted seven game-winning hits since joining the A's in 2004. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

Scutaro has been more than a "utility man" for the A's. In fact, manager Ken Macha calls Scutaro the "savior of the team."

"He should get a good raise after this year," Macha said of Scutaro. "He deserves every dollar that he gets."

Right now, the A's are getting quite a bargain for Scutaro, paying him $340,000 for 73 games, so far, this season.

And this year, his batting average and slugging percentage is higher than both Bobby Crosby and Mark Ellis -- the two players he has been filling in for the past three seasons. Ellis and Crosby -- the top two middle infielders -- are scheduled to make over $3 million combined at the end of the season.

Crosby has had four different injuries this year, including a lower back strain that currently has him on the 15-day disabled list, and Ellis missed 26 games at second base with a broken right thumb.

When the 30-year-old took over for Ellis at second base in June, Scutaro batted .294 with 10 RBIs and was one of the few A's to hit well during Interleague Play.

"The job [scutaro] did was more than commendable," said Macha in June. "We have been fortunate to have him here the last three years."

Scutaro has started 32 games at second base, 20 at shortstop and eight at third base this season.

"Scut has been great," said Zito. "He has definitely shown that he can fill the gaps anywhere we put him."

And this year isn't the first time Macha has received relief from his "savior." Since he joined the A's in 2004, he has looked more like a regular than a backup.

In 2004, Ellis missed the entire year with a shoulder injury and Scutaro played 137 games and hit .273 with 43 RBIs. The next year, Crosby had two long stints on the DL with rib and ankle injuries and Scutaro played 118 games.

Scutaro has played 328 games with the A's and has made 15 errors, despite bouncing around the infield. In 2004, he set an A's record for fielding percentage by a second baseman by committing just three errors in 545 chances for a .994 fielding percentage. It broke Dick Green's mark of .990 set by in 1964, and was also the best American League fielding percentage since 1994 when Jody Reed had .995 for the then-AL Milwaukee Brewers.

"He keeps producing and he doesn't worry about things he can't control," Zito said of Scutaro. "Like when he's going to play and where he's going to play. It's really cool to see him do what he is doing."

In addition to his fielding, Scutaro has seven game-winning hits since joining the A's, including a walk-off RBI single against he Yankees on April 4 in the rain.

"[scutaro] has really helped us out offensively and defensively," Zito said. "I think it is great."

So far, the A's have been able to get a lot from Scutaro for under $1 million in three seasons. But it's unlikely they will get the same deal in the offseason when Scutaro is up for arbitration -- for the first time since coming up with the Mets in 2002.

"I would certainly hope we have him here next year," Macha said.

Ryan Quinn is an associate reporter for MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Carlos Baerga graduates from this thread.

Carlos Baerga

is making it official: He's retiring from baseball after 14 major-league seasons.

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican, a three-time All-Star infielder, has been working as a television analyst for ESPN Deportes this season.

Baerga plans to work as an agent for Puerto Rican athletes and raise funds for charity through his company, ``Dream Sports.''

His best years were with Cleveland from 1990 to '96. He later played for the New York Mets, San Diego, Boston and Arizona. He played for Washington in 2005.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Poor cooby

[Guest cooby]

At least he is still in baseball

[Benjamin Grimm]

And now a word from Bobby Valentine

[metirish]

Preston Wilson tonight was DFA by Houston......Omar should be on the phone right now, it would be perfect with the 1986 celabration coming up.

[Guest Edgy DC]

'Ceptin' he's not doing so hot.

Slugging .405 as an Astro.

[metirish]

Yeah but perhaps a return to the Mets gets Preston going, suerly he's an option especially as the Mets have Tucker in LF, not that he has done anything wrong but still....

[Benjamin Grimm]

Here's a list of 39 ex-Mets who were active in 2005 but, as far as I know, have not yet seen big league action in 2006. If anybody knows of any of these guys appearing in the majors in 2006, please let me know:

Manny Alexander
Vic Darensbourg
Brian Daubach
Kane Davis
Octavio Dotel
John Franco
Matt Ginter
Mike Hampton
Lenny Harris
Felix Heredia
Richard Hidalgo
Jason Anderson
Kaz Ishii
Dae-Sung Koo
Al Leiter
Luis Lopez
Mike Matthews
C. J. Nitkowski
Hideo Nomo
José Offerman
John Olerud
Juan Padilla
Manny Aybar
Bill Pulsipher
Steve Reed
Desi Relaford
Rey Sanchez
José Santiago
Scott Strickland
Shingo Takatsu
Eric Valent
Gerald Williams
Paul Wilson
Carlos Baerga
James Baldwin
Ricky Bottalico
Alberto Castillo
Roger Cedeño
Jaime Cerda

[metirish]

Dotel has pitched the last few nights for the yankees,Juan Padilla is still with the Mets....he went on the 60 day DL on 03/23/06.

[seawolf17]

Nitkowski is coaching in the minor leagues somewhere, so he's out. Hampton's been on the DL all year. Pulse is a Duck. Wilson is rehabbing in the Reds' system; he might be back this year.

[Guest sharpie]

Nomo and Koo went back to Japan.

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Valent is in the Padres system but hasn't seen the majors yet.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Jason Phillips is up and in his third go-around with the Blue Jays this year.

[Willets Point]

sharpie wrote: Nomo and Koo went back to Japan.

Wow, I thought Nomo could never go back to Japan. Well, to play professional baseball there at least.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I'll take A-E.

Manny Aybar Doris' husband (and last season's early whipping boy) appears to have hung 'em up, but he's gotten in a few releases as he's been confused for Willie Aybar, and his son is apparently now a prospect.

Manny Alexander The man who moved Ripken over to short has been a Portland Beaver this season, with a .674 OPS.

Jason Anderson Jason has been shooting Beaver with Manny.

Carlos Baerga Carlos officially retired a few weeks ago. He hadn't played anywhere this season to my knowledge, but instead worked as a broadcaster.

James Baldwin Where there's work for Scott Erickson, there ought to be work for James Baldwin. It should be a law, especially after JB threw 56.2 decent innings in 2005. But 2.2 innings for the Syracuse Sky Chiefs appears to be it for the man. He is now apparently coaching the Carolina Extrem, who hope to move up in the standings and gain that last e this year.

Ricky Bottalico The last I heard, Ricky is looking for work as a broadcaster.

Alberto Castillo It wouldn't be a season without Alberto, and he's doing his part for Katrina relief by posting an isolated slugging percentage of .064 for the New Orleans Zephyrs.

Roger Cedeño Roger is out of baseball, but was recently named by Mike Piazza as a "closest baseball friend." Besides checking his voice mail for calls from Piazza, I imagine that he checks Met boxscores as Jose Reyes goes after his team stolen base record.

Jaime Cerda This season JaimeTown has been Colorado Springs, where Cerda has put up a 5.72 ERA in 45.2 innings. He was released a week ago, after healing from a hammy he strained warming up. Steve Colyer (phantom Met?) had been his penmate.

Vic Darensbourg He's a Jose Parra type, always getting hurt just as he's getting a break. He's got a 3.57 ERA in 35.1 innings this season for the Buffalo Bisons.

Brian Daubach Brian has 11 homers for the Memphis Redbirds, but Preston Wilson took the spot in the Cardinals nest that he had his eye on.

Kane Davis Kane has a 4.50 ERA in 4.0 innings, playing for the independent Somerset (NJ) Patriots. Watch them battle Atlantic City for the state's bragging rights this weekend.

Octavio Dotel Octavio has spent the season rehabbing, and has recently seen some strange action, setting probably a record (I'm guessing) even for rehabbers, playing for six different teams in the Yankee organization this season: The Gulf Coast Yankees (Low Short-Season A, 3 Games), the Staten Island Yankees (High Short-Season A, 1 Game), the Trenton Thunder (AA, 2 Games), the Tampa Yankees (High A, 2 Games), the Columbus Clippers (AAA, 5 Games), and the New York Yankees (DH League, 2 Games).

Who's next? F-J?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Super has been duper.

Check out the name of the author.

'Super Joe' on a hot streak

8/21/2006 1:09 PM

By: Victor Diaz

The Round Rock Express pulled out of a short slump with a four-game sweep of the Iowa Cubs. It was a huge series for one of Round Rock's most versatile players.

Joe McEwing is riding a hot streak he can't find a way to explain. McEwing homered three times during the last Express home stand against Iowa, and he's hammered more home runs this season than his last four years combined.

Joe McEwing

"I don't know, it's just one of those things, you don't question it. You just ride with it and continue to try to have quality at bats," McEwing said.

His quality at bats add up to .304 batting average, one of the best on team. They call him Super Joe because he's played every position except pitcher and catcher in a pro career that spans 15 seasons.

Most versatile player

Joe McEwing has played every position except pitcher and catcher in a pro career that spans 15 seasons.

"He can play a lot of positions for you; he can really become the manager’s pet," manager Jackie Moore said.

McEwing also brings quality experience to the Express. He's played eight major league seasons with the Mets, Cardinals and Royals. He hopes the Astros are next on the list.

Watch Joe play.

"That's your main goal is to play in the big leagues and get back to the big leagues and the day I stop having fun is the day I stop playing," McEwing said.

And based on how much fun he's having this season, he won't be stopping anytime soon.

The Express are in first place and could clinch a playoff spot by the end of the week.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Young Mike and the Jury of the Damned:

Piazza caught on to hockey as a kid

By Randy Schultz | NHL.com Correspondent

Aug. 22, 2006

Growing up in Norristown, Pa., Mike Piazza was a fan of the Philadelphia Flyers and Dave Schultz.

While looking through an old Los Angeles Dodgers media guide, it described Mike Piazza as a person who "enjoys hockey." Enjoy is not a strong enough word.

Over a decade has now passed since that press guide information was printed. Piazza is no longer a Dodger and has played for three other teams -- the Florida Marlins, New York Mets and San Diego Padres.

After talking to the future Hall of Fame catcher, one finds that he has a strong passion for hockey. They are feelings that go back to Piazza's days as a youngster growing up in Norristown, Pa.

"I grew up being a Flyers fan," said Piazza, who has risen from being a 62nd-round draft choice of the Dodgers to a career that should eventually lead him to Cooperstown. "Reggie Leach was my favorite player with Philadelphia. He had a tremendous shot that he could really unload on a goalie. That's why he could score so many goals for the Flyers. Of course, I like a guy like Dave Schultz as well. He was a great fighter and hitter. I really liked the way he would take guys into the boards."

Piazza even played the game as a kid.

"I played hockey, but not as much as I did baseball," recalled Piazza, now in his 15th season in the majors and his first with the Padres. "I played defense and I was a bruiser. But I was never good enough to make it as a hockey player."

Which was good news for baseball. Piazza was the National League's Rookie of the Year in 1993. His best season was in 1997, a year when he finished second in the MVP voting. Piazza hit .362 with 40 homers and 124 runs batted in, an on base percentage of .431 and a slugging percentage of.638.

Piazza enjoyed playing a bit of pick-up hockey when he had the chance, especially when he played for the Dodgers. Occasionally he would travel over to the Great Western Forum, the former home of the Los Angeles Kings, visiting members of the team during their practices and during the regular NHL campaign.

Although he doesn't skate as much as he used to, the 37 year-old Piazza used to lace up a pair of skates and play some hockey.

"I got to know several of the Kings, including Marty McSorley and Tony Granato," said Piazza, who resides with his wife, Alicia, during the off-season at their home in Miami Beach, and on certain occasions takes in a Florida Panthers game. "Occasionally they would need an extra player, so I would put on the skates and play in intra-squad games with them. It was great. I really got into hockey again thanks to that."

So how good is Piazza as a hockey player? Both Granato and McSorley still remember the Padres catcher and his time spent with the Kings.

"He's done a lot better with his first career and should stick to baseball," Granato joked. "Seriously, Mike isn't that bad of a player. He has a fairly decent shot. And he's come a long way with his skating ability. It's actually a little scary to think what a guy like Mike, with his size (6-3, 215-pounds) and all, could do if he really played the game seriously."

"We knew right away that Mike had skated before. He just didn't have the speed on skates. And there was no doubt that when he got into the corners, Mike really wanted to give it to his opponent." -- Marty McSorley

McSorley also recalled Piazza and his hockey ability.

"He certainly wasn't shy when he got out on the ice," McSorley said. "We knew right away that Mike had skated before. He just didn't have the speed on skates. And there was no doubt that when he got into the corners, Mike really wanted to give it to his opponent.

"To me, Mike is a natural athlete. He could do well in any sport he tries. You can tell why he does so well in his sport of baseball."

Piazza sees a great difference between baseball and hockey.

"In baseball, you don't get to take out your frustrations like you do in hockey," Piazza said. "You can't hit anybody like you can in hockey. In hockey, there are the situations where you can really smoke somebody. That's the kind of player I would be if I played the sport.

"I'm a pinned-up type of player when it comes to baseball. I have to find other ways to take out my frustrations when playing."

One of Piazza's most memorable moments as a hockey fan came back in 1980. "The U.S. Olympic hockey team was awesome," Piazza said. "It was one of the most thrilling sporting events I ever watched on TV. I was only 11 at the time, but it left and impact on me. It was one of the truly great accomplishments ever in sports. Team USA overcame a lot to win the gold."

The sport of hockey will always be amazing to Piazza.

"I'm just amazed at how these big players can skate so quickly, stop, go again, get hit, get up and just keep going," Piazza said. "Having played the sport myself, I have a much deeper appreciation for what they do. When you get to skate with some of these guys like I have, you have a much deeper appreciation for what they go through game after game. It's true when you say that hockey is more than enjoyment for me. It's almost a love."

[MFS62]

]Brian Daubach Brian has 11 homers for the Memphis Redbirds, but Preston Wilson took the spot in the Cardinals nest that he had his eye on.

Update - Brain was released a few weeks ago.
Also signed by Memphis, and released, was old friend Jorge Toca.

EDIT: Mike Kinkade (listed as a Marlin) has been named to the US team that will be articipating in the Olympic qualifying tourney.

Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

Back with a new team and a new number. Good luck, Kaz.

Rockies recall INF Kazuo Matsui; INF Jason Smith designated for assignment

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies announced this afternoon that infielder Kazuo Matsui (#16) has been recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs. He is expected to be in uniform for tonight's game in Milwaukee, and will be looking to make his Rockies debut. To make room on the roster for Matsui, infielder Jason Smith has been designated for assignment.

Kazuo Matsui (kah-ZOO-oh mat-SOO-ee), 30, was acquired by Colorado from New York-NL along with cash considerations in exchange for infielder/outfielder Eli Marrero on June 9. He was immediately optioned to Colorado Springs, where he played in just 6 games before going on the disabled list June 20 with lower back stiffness. He spent over a month on the disabled list before he was reinstated on July 24. Overall in the Pacific Coast League, Matsui has batted .278 with 3 home runs, 16 RBI, and 26 runs scored in 31 games for Colorado Springs. Over his last 18 games in the PCL, he hit .292 (21-for-72) with 3 home runs, 14 RBI and 19 runs. Matsui played mostly shortstop for the Sky Sox, but also saw time at second base.

Matsui began this season on the Mets disabled list with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee and was activated on April 20. Matsui hit an inside-the-park home run in his first plate appearance on April 20 at San Diego, becoming the first player in major league history to begin his career with a home run in his first plate appearance for three straight seasons (2004-06). Matsui posted a hit in each of his first 8 games in 2006 and had a 9-game hit streak from May 3-14.

Matsui became the first Japanese infielder to sign with a major league team when he joined the Mets on Dec. 17, 2003. The switch-hitter has batted .256 with 11 home runs and 75 RBI in 239 major league games, all with New York-NL over three seasons beginning in 2004. He has been successful in 22 of 26 stolen base attempts in the majors. Matsui had a .200 average with one home run and 7 RBI in 38 games/31 starts for the Mets this year prior to the trade. Originally signed as a shortstop, Matsui has played primarily second base over the last two campaigns.

There have been two Japanese natives to play for the Rockies, both pitchers. Masato Yoshii made 29 starts for Colorado in 2000 while Mac Suzuki appeared in 3 games with one start for the club in 2001. A pair of other former Rockie pitchers, Craig House and Jeff McCurry, were born in Japan to U.S. military families.

Smith has batted .263 with 5 home runs and 13 RBI in 49 games over 2 stints with Colorado this season. The Rockies have 10 days to trade, release or outright Smith to the minor leagues.

With these moves, the Rockies now have 36 players on the club's 40-man roster.

[Benjamin Grimm]

]kah-ZOO-oh mat-SOO-ee

I don't think they're emphasizing those syllables correctly.

In fact, one thing I've learned about Japanese is that (in theory anyway) you don't emphasize any syllables.

It should be KA-ZOO-OH MA-TSU-EE.

[Guest Edgy DC]

MFS62 wrote: ]Brian Daubach Brian has 11 homers for the Memphis Redbirds, but Preston Wilson took the spot in the Cardinals nest that he had his eye on. Update - Brain was released a few weeks ago. Also signed by Memphis, and released, was old friend Jorge Toca. EDIT: Mike Kinkade (listed as a Marlin) has been named to the US team that will be articipating in the Olympic qualifying tourney. Later

Daubach's brain was released? How awful. How can I prevent this from happening to me?

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

I thought it was interesting that the Rockies would otherwise have called Kaz up this past weekend but they didn't want him to have to face the Shea crowds.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Fine, I'll take F-J.

John Franco: released by the Astros in the second half of the 2005 season. He's never announced his retirement, but he's done. He coached the pitchers for the Italian entry into the World Baseball Classic.

Matt Ginter: has pitched effectively this season, with little to show for it, going 5-12 with a ERA between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Indianapolis Indians. He contributed his banjo playing to this collection

Mike Hampton: is out for the season with tomato juice surgery.

Lenny Harris: was recently named roving minor league infield instructor by the Washington Nationals. He goes next in the Crane Pool BLC.

Felix Heredia: pitched eight innings (6.75 ERA) with the Buffalo Bisons, before getting a suspension for steroid use. That's after spreading aneurysms in the Met clubohouse. Has recently resurfaced in the Mexican League with Los Sultanes de Monterrey.

Richard Hidalgo: has fallen off the map.

Kaz Ishii: is 8-4 (3.65 ERA) with the Yakult Swallows.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Didn't Hidalgo go to play in Japan?