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Let's Finally Get Mad would sell papers if back pages still did that. It would drive conversation, too. That's Almora would look very nice framed in Albert Jr.'s rumpus room. I hope he got a copy. If you're looking for a veritable work of art, that's That's Almora. If you're looking for your tabloid to lay on the line what the hell's going on with the Mets — a team whose kneejerk “we're staying positive” response to its deepening futility illustrated the frustration of a season slowly slipping away — LFGM. Almora's back page deftly captures a fleeting April moment that otherwise goes completely forgotten in the course of the season (from a player whose only other highlight was getting hurt not making a similar play). LFGM takes me back to what I felt building for weeks in 2021 and articulated it. BAM! There haven't been many back pages since we've been doing this that grabbed the zeitgeist by the throat and splashed it on the newsstand for all to see. This one did just that. Mission accomplished, Daily News. Ya did what I theoretically lay down my quarter for.

Lovely remembrance from Verducci. My four cents — two for Jeff, two for Gene Clines: http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2022/02/01/innis-clines-life/http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2022/02/01/innis-clines-life/

From Jay Horwitz: We lost one of the good guys today. Jeff Innis passed away after a long battle with cancer that speeded up so quickly since the fall. In November he was at Mets Fantasy Camp and having fun with alumni like Ron Swoboda, Doc Gooden, Josh Thole and Ed Hearn. But then the disease ramped up again. Jeff pitched for us from 1987–1993 and it seemed liked he came out of the. bullpen every day. His side-arm delivery made him unique. A. graduate of the University of Illinois, you talk to Jeff about any subject. He loved the fans and never shied away from any autographs. Jeff Innis was just a decent and humble guy who never made a big deal that he was a major league player. Jeff was proud of the fact that the Mets were the only team he. played for. in the big leagues. On behalf of this wife Kelly and his kids, Keenan and Shannon, I wanted to thank all of the many fans who. contributed to the gofundme which helped bring Jeff home to Georgia and which will help take are of hospital bills and funeral expenses. He was just 59, way to young to die. https://newyorkmets.medium.com/by-jay-horwitz-e04fd676d136https://newyorkmets.medium.com/by-jay-horwitz-e04fd676d136

The stalwart of Mets middle relief from the early 1990s has died from cancer at age 59.

Letters, old Mets get letters. I still get about ten letters a month sent to me with baseball cards in them asking for an autograph and a lot of them want me to put “first Mets win.” That's 60 years ago. There's no way that anybody would be remembering me if I hadn't done that. Sit (or set) a spell with Jay Hook. https://ballnine.com/2022/01/28/jay-hook-ii/https://ballnine.com/2022/01/28/jay-hook-ii/

Not the kind of stats that would typically place someone high on the list of even the most dedicated autograph-seekers. But at age 78, a half-century removed from the game, DiLauro still receives between 200 and 300 requests for his signature per year. The onslaught of balls, postcards, trading cards and other memorabilia arrive on an almost daily basis in the mail at his Lake Mohawk home. A handwritten letter last week began with: "Hello Mr. DiLauro, my name is Brady. I'm 15 and I like to collect autographs from great players like you ..." A typed letter from a man in Campbell, California, also from last week, opened with: "Dear Mr. DiLauro, Happy belated New Year to you!" DiLauro reads every one. He signs and returns everything. A nice visit with Jack DiLauro. https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2022/01/28/jack-dilauro-akron-autograph-requests-mail-amazin-miracle-new-york-mets-1969-world-series-mlb/6570864001/https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2022/01/28/jack-dilauro-akron-autograph-requests-mail-amazin-miracle-new-york-mets-1969-world-series-mlb/6570864001/

Carlos Beltran joins YES's legion of mostly uninteresting analysts to discern opposition signs from the MFY TV booth.

Our Opening Day left fielder his one Met season.

Gordon Beckham, another 2020 Mets Summer Camper who didn't make the bloated squad, retires. Last played in 2019. First played in 2009.

Buck, from yesterday's Zoomer, approves of this thread. "There's a storied past here. Sometimes, we need a reminder of some of that. I love to make sure the players understand that they're carrying a torch, not just for fans, but a lot of people who played before them.”

Step right up and greet a couple of Originals Mets, via Newsday for now and Old Timers Day in August (reportedly). As soon as this week, the Mets plan to announce the return of Old-Timers' Day for a late August date, according to a source. It's the 60th anniversary of the franchise. The Mets were born as an expansion team in 1962 and that club went 40-120, still the most losses in modern baseball history. The Mets under owner Steve Cohen plan to honor every era of their history this season. Assuming the lockout ends and the pandemic abates, Old-Timers' Day will be back for the first time since 1994. To honor the past, you have to start at the beginning, and that means the Original Mets from 1962. The losingest team ever assembled holds a special place in the hearts of the men who played on it and the fans who supported it. "Even to this day, I still get autograph requests," former catcher Hobie Landrith, 91, said on Friday from his home in Sunnyvale, California. […] "They sure did come out," former slugging outfielder Frank Thomas, 92, said Friday from his Pittsburgh home. "They went out there whether we won or lost because New York was back in the National League again to play baseball." […] Landrith said he was "very disappointed" when he learned he had been selected from the San Francisco Giants. "I wanted to stay with the Giants," he said. "But it turned out well. I enjoyed my time in New York." […] Asked 60 years later how he felt about being traded to an expansion club, Thomas said: "Things like that happen in baseball. You accept what it is. It was a great era in baseball. It was a great experience for me being in a big city." Thomas hit a team-best 34 home runs in 1962, good for sixth in the NL, and drove in 94 runs. Seventeen of the 45 men who played on the 1962 club are still around and will be invited to Old-Timers' Day. The festivities will include an Old-Timers' game. Asked if he plans to attend, Thomas said: "Oh, yeah. I won't be able to play, though. I could bunt." Article (paywalled): https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/1962-mets-old-timers-day-1.50485073https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/1962-mets-old-timers-day-1.50485073

Juan Centeno has signed a minor league deal with the D'Backs.

Seven coaches seems light relative to how many surrounded recent skippers. Between Buck's experience and the compressed hiring timeline, seven may be all they need/can get.

From the release… FLUSHING, N.Y., January 21, 2022 — The New York Mets today announced their 2022 major league coaching staff. Glenn Sherlock will join the staff as Manager Buck Showalter's bench coach, Eric Chavez will serve as hitting coach, Wayne Kirby as first base coach and outfield/baserunning instructor and Joey Cora will serve as third base coach and infield instructor. Craig Bjornson joins the staff as the bullpen coach, while Jeremy Barnes has been promoted from Director of Player Initiatives to assistant hitting coach. Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner will return for his third season with the team. Glenn Sherlock, 61, returns to the Mets coaching staff for the second time in his career. Sherlock served as the team's third base coach (2017–2018) and first base coach (2019) as well as the club's catching instructor (2017–2019). Sherlock spent the previous two seasons on the Pirates coaching staff as their game-planning coach and catching instructor. Sherlock's major league coaching experience began with the New York Yankees where he served as the team's catching coach under Showalter (1992, 1994–1995). In 1996, Sherlock reunited with Showalter with the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks and was the team's catching coach from their inaugural season in 1998 until the end of the 2016 season. Sherlock also served as the Diamondbacks bench coach (2003, 2015–2016), third base coach (2004 & 2014), and bullpen coach (1998–2002, 2005–2013) during his 21-year tenure in Arizona. In addition to his Major League coaching experience, Sherlock spent three years as a manager in the Yankees farm system (1990–1991, 1993) and was the D-backs' minor league catching coordinator from 1996–1997. Jeremy Hefner, 35, will return for his third season as the Mets pitching coach. Last season, the Mets ranked ninth in the majors with a 3.90 ERA. Previously, Hefner worked in the Twins organization as an advance scout (2017–2018) and served as the team's assistant pitching coach in 2019. Hefner pitched in two major league seasons (2012–2013) with the Mets and posted a 4.65 career ERA in 50 games (36 starts). Craig Bjornson, 52, was Boston's bullpen coach from 2018–2020. Bjornson played an integral part in Boston's World Series victory in 2018 as Red Sox relief pitchers posted 1.40 ERA (four earned runs/25.2 innings) in the Fall Classic, the fourth lowest bullpen ERA in World Series history (minimum 20.0 IP). In 2019, Red Sox relievers led the majors with a 10.5 SO/9.0 IP. Prior to his three-year stint in Boston, Bjornson served as Houston's bullpen coach for five seasons (2012, 2014–2017), winning a World Series in 2017. From 2014–2017, Astros relievers led the majors with a 3.17 SO/BB and ranked second with a 9.62 SO/9.0 IP. Bjornson spent 13 years (1999–2011) as a minor league pitching coach in the Montreal/Washington, Kansas City, Los Angeles-NL and Colorado organizations. Eric Chavez, 44, played 17 major league seasons with Oakland (1998–2010), New York-AL (2011–2012) and Arizona (2013–2014). He won six consecutive American League Gold Glove Awards (2001–2006) at third base with the Athletics. His six Gold Gloves are tied for the fifth-most all-time by a third baseman. He slashed .268/.342/.475 with 816 runs, 318 doubles, 260 homers and 902 RBI in 1,615 major league games. Chavez earned the AL Silver Slugger Award in 2002 when he smashed a career-high 34 homers. From 2016–2018, Chavez worked in the Angels front office as a special assistant to General Manager Billy Eppler. He also served under Eppler and Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman as a special assignment scout for New York-AL in 2015. Jeremy Barnes, 34, served as the Director of Player Initiatives for the Mets in 2021. From 2019–2020, Barnes was Houston's minor league hitting coordinator and from 2017–2018, he was the hitting coach with Tri-City, the Astros New York-Penn League affiliate. He played professionally from 2009–2015, reaching the Triple-A level. Following his playing career, Barnes spent two seasons working for ACT Baseball in Canberra, Australia, as manager of player pathway and coaching development. Joey Cora, 57, has spent the past five seasons as the third base coach and infield coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates (2017–2021). In 2012, he was the bench coach in Miami under Ozzie Guillén. Cora spent eight seasons as a member of the Chicago White Sox coaching staff where he was the third base coach (2004–2006) and bench coach (2007–2011), winning a World Series title in 2005. He managed the Mets rookie-level Appalachian League Kingsport affiliate in 2001–2002 and managed Washington's South Atlantic League minor league team in 2003. Cora began his coaching career in 2000 with Daytona in the Florida State League. Cora owned a career batting average of .277 in 1,119 career games with San Diego (1987, 1989–1990), Chicago-AL (1991–1994), Seattle (1995–1998), and Cleveland (1998). In 1997, he was selected to the American League All-Star team. His younger brother, Alex, manages the Boston Red Sox. A native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Cora served as the General Manager for Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League for three seasons (1999–2001), winning the championship in 2001. Wayne Kirby, 57, previously served as the Orioles' first base coach under Showalter from 2011–2018. Most recently, Kirby served in the same role with the Padres from 2020–2021. Kirby served as the Texas Rangers minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator from 2006–2010. He spent four years as a hitting coach in the minors, all with Cleveland's farm system from 2002–2005. Kirby appeared in 516 games as an outfielder during parts of an eight-year Major League career with Cleveland (1991–1996), the Dodgers (1996–1997) and the Mets (1998). With the Mets, Kirby appeared in 26 games and scored five runs. Kirby led AL outfielders with 19 assists in 1993.

Craig Bjornson is bullpen coach, Jeremy Barnes is assistant hitting coach, and all coaching appointment are now official. https://newyorkmets.medium.com/mets-name-2022-coaching-staff-5db7319aab30https://newyorkmets.medium.com/mets-name-2022-coaching-staff-5db7319aab30

Edgardo Alfonzo will manage the Atlantic League Staten Island FerryHawks in 2022. https://nypost.com/2022/01/20/edgardo-alfonzo-set-to-manage-staten-island-ferryhawks/https://nypost.com/2022/01/20/edgardo-alfonzo-set-to-manage-staten-island-ferryhawks/

Royce Ring brings his wisdom across the Pacific.

Dave Van Horne, Frick Award-winning announcer for the Expos and Marlins, will “effective” retire at 82 rather than accept an offer to call a limited slate of games.

Eddie Basinski, 1940s Dodger and musical icon for a couple of reasons. One, he played the violin. Two… Basinski had another brush with the baseball world when he was among some three dozen old-time major leaguers whose names provided the lyrics for the jazz pianist and singer Dave Frishberg's 1969 song “Van Lingle Mungo” (Its title is the name of fastball pitcher with the Dodgers and the New York Giants in the 1930s and '40s). Basinski was the last survivor of that group. The closing stanza goes: John Antonelli, Ferris Fain Frankie Crosetti, Johnny Sain Harry Brecheen and Lou Boudreau Frankie Gustine and Claude Passeau Eddie Basinski, Ernie Lombardi, Hughie Mulcahy, Van Lingle … Van Lingle Mungo. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/14/sports/baseball/eddie-basinski-dead.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/14/sports/baseball/eddie-basinski-dead.html

Oh-zwalt, not Ah-zwalt. The man's last name was consistently mispronounced, the way Edgardo "Alfonso" and Jay "Horowitz" are forever misspelled.

I remember learning just now that Corey Oswalt's middle initial is E. And that he pitched at his most competent when I expected nothing from him.

Melky Cabrera, a Mets Summer Camper in COVID-crossed 2020, makes official the retirement that's been de facto since he last played in MLB in 2019.

=G-Fafif post_id=82214 time=1638322372 user_id=55] Also non-tendered are Stephen Nogosek and Mark Payton.

Keith, with Howie and Wayne, intense as ever when recalling specific at-bats. Plus a little “what if” regarding a trade that wasn't made. https://omny.fm/shows/880-apple-bites/howie-rose-wayne-randazzo-talk-with-keith-hernandehttps://omny.fm/shows/880-apple-bites/howie-rose-wayne-randazzo-talk-with-keith-hernande

I watched it streaming on SNY's YouTube channel. Viewable here. [media=youtube]OywoidKSP9A[/media]