Yes, the former Atlanta Braves star definitely seems at ease in his first spring camp with New York, and eager to see what he can do in a full season with the Mets.
“I’m ready to start and go through a whole year,” Francoeur said. “Not to mention, I’m ready to be on a team that was the Mets of the last three years before last year.”
One of the few bright spots during New York’s dismal 2009 season was the play of Francoeur, who found his form at the plate after he was acquired from Atlanta in July. At the very beginning of spring training, he looks as if he’s ready to pick up where he left off last year. - link
Manuel made it clear he considered Angel Pagan and Dan Murphy his starters -- good news since underwhelming Gary Matthews is lurking on the roster and rumblings continue the Mets may be tempted to jump -- read: rush -- prospect Ike Davis to the big league roster.
Said Jerry: "Well, in all honesty, there will have to be a physical setback of some sort [for Pagan and Murphy to lose their jobs]. If that happens and we're a little slow or they're a little slow coming back, then we'll have to make some adjustments." Also pleased to hear the high regard Manuel holds young southpaw Jon Niese, who, apparently, is in fact the front runner for the fifth spot in the rotation.- link
In the United States, we are suffering the biggest economic crisis since The Great Depression. In these tough times there are people like Minnie Torres, coach Bob Salomon, A Glove of Their Own, and giants in the baseball industry such as Louisville Slugger, Modell’s, Upper Deck and Rawlings who are still going above and beyond to help children that are less fortunate .
Growing up an impoverished child, Minnie is no stranger to the struggles of making ends meet. Today, as a single mother, she recalls the invaluable lesson once taught by her parents about generosity; it’s not how much you give, but just the act of giving that matters. Her first trip to the Dominican Republic nine years ago proved to be much more than a vacation; it changed her life. Minnie witnessed poverty in a way that would remain etched in her memory. She began by emptying her suitcase and returning to the neighborhood overflowing with need and beautiful children. There she would share all of her belongings and fuel the desire where “paying it forward” would be the both the purpose and the reward of all future trips to the Dominican Republic. Minnie couldn’t help but think about all those bright young eyes having seen the harsh realities of poverty and hunger, yet they had never laid eyes on baseball equipment most of us would deem common. The idea of new equipment even as simple as a brand new baseball was something only on wish lists. The adoration behind your favorite baseball card typical here in the U.S. was something unknown to the children of the Dominican Republic and that was all about to change. Excitement filled the air and proved that the children of the Dominican Republic, for all that they lacked, were not short on the ability to dream - link
Gatorade today became the latest company to end its sponsorship deal with troubled golf icon Tiger Woods.
Gatorade, a unit of PepsiCo, had already pulled its Tiger Woods-branded sports drink in November, and at the time said it had made the decision to do so before the athlete's November 25, 2009 car accident and extramarital affairs became global headline news. The value of Woods' deal with Gatorade was not disclosed. Woods on Feb. 19 issued a much-hyped televised public apology for his actions. So far, Accenture and AT&T have dropped Woods entirely. Others, such as P&G's Gillette and Tag Heuer, have pulled ads featuring the golfer, but have to some extent left the door open to future dealings with Woods. - link
The pitchers for the intrasquad game Monday are Travis Blackley, R.A. Dickey, Jack Egbert, Clint Everts, Jenrry Mejia, Jon Niese and Tobi Stoner. The Mets play the Braves Tuesday (at Port St. Lucie) and Wednesday (in Orlando), with Nelson Figueroa starting the first game and Fernando Nieve the second. Because Nieve is more versatile than Niese, Niese has a better chance to begin the season in the rotation. Nieve is more likely for bullpen duty.- link
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