Did somebody move their cheese?

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think I do this just about every year, and here we go again.

This is a list of former Mets who either played in the big leagues in 2008, or in the Mets farm system in 2008, and didn't do either in 2009. There are some that we're aware have retired. Others may be in some other teams farm system, while others may have just quietly faded away.

My database provides me with 38 names. If anyone has any news that they want to share about any of these guys, please feel free...

[list:ehkr0g3a]Jon Adkins
Chris Aguila
Moises Alou
Tony Armas
Armando Benitez
Gary Bennett
Ambiorix Burgos
Raul Casanova
Brady Clark
Willie Collazo
Mike DiFelice
Damion Easley
Shawn Estes
Matt Ginter
Tom Glavine
Raul Gonzalez
Ruben Gotay
Orlando Hernandez
Joe Hietpas
Jeff Kent
Paul Lo Duca
Gustavo Molina
David Newhan
Trot Nixon
Hideo Nomo
Abraham Nu�ez
Juan Padilla
Jay Payton
Andy Phillips
Ricardo Rincon
Royce Ring
Kenny Rogers
Jos� Santiago
Steve Trachsel
Jason Tyner
Jos� Valentin
Jorge Velandia
Matt Wise[/list:u:ehkr0g3a]

[soupcan]

I think Jeff Kent announced his retirement.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Chris Aguila -- Think I recall he was playing in Asia?

Ambiorix Burgos -- arrested

Mike DiFelice -- became a Mets coach

Damion Easley -- nobody offered a new contract

Tom Glavine -- on DL for the Braves, released?

Jeff Kent -- announced retirement

Paul Lo Duca -- wasn't he signed and subsequently DLed by the nationals?

Trot Nixon -- almost certain he retired

Royce Ring -- Pittsburgh? Atlanta?

Jos� Santiago -- No memory of this guy at all.

Jos� Valentin -- released by Mets in ST, no?

Matt Wise -- definitely announced retirement

[Benjamin Grimm]

I did do this last year! And I even used the same subject!

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/11100/f1_t11152.shtml


Of last year's group, Bruce Chen and Jason Vargas (and perhaps others) returned to the big leagues in 2009.

[metirish]

Joe Hietpas currently attends Washington University School of Law , so says wikipedia

[Guest Edgy DC]

Matt Wise, Matt Wise, to my surprise
Found his act no longer flies
Before last season's curtain rise
The baseball world had lost Matt Wise

Oh, he tried to pitch some more
And scouts observed him by the score
His agent looked but could not find
A contract of the big league kind

"Hoss," Matt said, "I'm thirty-three
And bush league life is not for me
If scouts all say my arm's too poor
What is it that I'm pitching for?"

So Matt Wise donned civilian clothes
He sells insurance, I suppose
Or maybe works in real estate
One can only guess his fate

Some men wear denim, some men silk
Some sell diamonds, some sell milk
Of sporting pasts, most men tell lies
Not Matt Wise, baby, not Matt Wise

[Gwreck]

Nomo retired.

Adkins announced via Twitter that he signed an AAA contract with Cincinnati.

Alou retired after the WBC.

Benitez was pitching in AAA for Houston this year.

[Frayed Knot]

I did do this last year! And I even used the same subject!

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/11100/f1_t11152.shtml[/quote:2ht49qrq]

Which means it's the second year in a row I didn't get the reference.

[Guest themetfairy]

Joe Hietpas currently attends Washington University School of Law , so says wikipedia[/quote:alrykwr5]

My adoptee the lawyer!

[Guest cooby]

Really? Jay Payton doesn't play any more?

[metsmarathon]

did he ever get that batting title, i wonder?

[Guest Edgy DC]

When Estes left Shea, his path wasn't mild
Velocity fading, control going wild
From the Reds to the Cubbies, with fat ERAs
When he went to the Rockies, I numbered his days

For what pitcher delights in the Rockies thin air?
And he led the league in earned runs way out there
But somehow he stayed healthy and got 15 wins
What's next, Shawn? The Rangers? Or maybe the Twins?

In 2003, for two-point-five million
He signed with the Diamondbacks, dressed in vermillion
For 21 starts, he pitched fair to middlin'
(With a note from his doctor, they'd've let him use Riddlin)

But time was no friend to our lefthanded buddy
And he signed with the Padres, and things got real cruddy
In his very first start, his elbow exploded
Cut open and sutured! Dejected! Demoted!

It took two more seasons to find his way back
But return, Estes did, 55 on his back
But the Pads waited long, with litlle to show
He caught on with the Dodgers, who watched the man throw

Farmed out! they said, Shawn, you're minor league bound!
Fuck! Shit! cried out Shawn --- He hated that sound
He'll say, if you ask him, "Now, I'm not retired
I said no to the minors, and the team said You're fired!"

Shawn now lives in 'Zona like many ex-players
His belly is rounder, his hair kinda grayer
And I wonder what thoughts through his mind each day pass
Could I've changed anything had I hit Roger's ass?

[Guest cooby]

You're good at this