http://www.nydailynews.com/2000-10-31/News_and_Views/City_Beat/a-86604.asp

Hey guys! The link above takes you to a nice parade story w/ a lot
of Coney in it!

Hey Eyde
That was such a wonderful article it brought tears to my eyes... all of this
is wonderfully emotional.  I am so happy that they won!!!  At the same time
tho- after I watched the shortend recap on MSG- I knew that baseball was
over for the season and that some of the guys really cleaned out their
lockers for good.

Anyway, thanks for the article and I am glad you got to see the parade and
coney!!!

Laura

O'Neill, Cone may be done with Bombers 

By ANTHONY McCARRON 
Daily News Sports Writer 

While the Yankees were on the dais at City Hall for yesterday's post-parade 
tributes, Joe Torre introduced several players to the crowd and asked them to 
say a few words to fans. 

When Torre called David Cone and Paul O'Neill up to the podium, he called them
 "the heart and soul exemplified by this team." It may have been one final 
goodbye in Yankee regalia for both. 

Cone recognized the moment. He called O'Neill "the first piece of the puzzle,
 when they got him in '93." Then Cone said, "I may never get this chance 
again. I just want to thank my mom and dad." 

Paul O'Neill's agent says right fielder wants to return to Yankees. Cone and 
O'Neill are aging free agents whom the Yankees have not decided whether they
 want to keep. Both could be back in pinstripes next season, though the more 
likely scenario is that they're with other teams or perhaps retired. 

O'Neill didn't want to talk much about his future after the parade, saying 
only that he still liked playing and adding that he wanted to gather his kids 
and his wife and head home to Cincinnati for some rest. 

"I haven't talked to anyone," O'Neill told reporters. "You guys will probably
 know before me. That's the way it usually is. I just want to go home now." 

The Yankees figure to be active in pursuing free agent outfielders such as 
Manny Ramirez, which could have impact on O'Neill's future in pinstripes. 
O'Neill made $6.5 million this season. 

Cone is leaving this weekend for a long winter vacation in the Caribbean, 
where he says he'll take time to "sort things through." The 37-year-old, who 
endured the worst season of his career, doesn't need to sort through his 
feeling that he can still pitch in the major leagues. And as a starter. 

"I know I can," Cone said. 

But he also hasn't ruled out retiring, either. "It's down the list," said 
Cone, who is eager to taste redemption after his horrendous season in which 
he went 4-14 with a 6.91 ERA and was mostly a nonfactor in the postseason. 

"Preferably, I would like to still pitch. When you've had the type of season 
I've had, it (retiring) is certainly something you think about. Ideally, I'd 
rather not finish on a year like this. It might not be possible." 

Cone said that neither he nor his agent has approached George Steinbrenner 
yet to discuss another contract. "I've got an offseason home in Tampa, so I'll
 be there and I'm sure I'll get a feel for what he wants to do," Cone 
said. "I see myself down their list of priorities. I have no problem waiting. 

"I think it's safe to say I won't make $12 million next year." 

Billy Connors, the Yanks' VP of player personnel and acting pitching coach, 
said Saturday he thought that Cone could be an effective pitcher again. 
However, Connors added, Cone needs an extensive strength training program 
over the winter. 

Said Cone: "It's been a hard run the last five years. You pitch through 
October, it takes its toll. The idea is to rest, save my arm, but in 
hindsight I should've done more. 

"But this year goes deeper than that." 

Cone got some satisfaction from facing one batter in the World Series — he 
retired Mike Piazza to end the fifth inning of Game 4. 

"That just made me feel better about everything, more a part of everything,"
 Cone said. 

If he's going to be a part of any team next year, he wants it to be as a 
starting pitcher. 

"Very much," Cone said. "I have no problem going into spring training to win 
s job."

Thanks for the article!  If I may be selfish...I WANT THEM BACK!!!

OK, I will now attempt to remain objective for the rest of the off-season! :)

I think it would be wonderful if Coney came to Spring Training as an unsigned
free agent and won a job.  It seems that with a little extra offseason work, it
could be possible, and I'm sure he will be totally dedicated to working hard,
after all, he knows this could be it for him.

I also want to thank K. for bringing us all together and all her hard work
throughout the year on the list and the website, and I want to thank everyone
for all the great articles, stories, etc.  It has been really great to have you
all to talk to through what has been a much more difficult season than anyone
expected!

Here's hoping for *happy* news! :)

Thanks for the article, Akino!

I'm already going through off-season depression.  Not only do we not have
any baseball to watch on TV, now we get bombarded by media reports of the
team being dismantled.  The worst one I've seen said that next year's
opening day line-up would have only 3 holdovers from the 2000 season
line-up: Jeter, Posada, and Williams.  Everyone else would be gone.

You're a better woman than me, Ally Bear.  I won't even attempt to be
objective.  <sob, sob>

Sue (aka Chi-Town Yank)

I would like them back as well!!... unfortunately, it's the wait and see
game... I like what David is doing tho- I would love to go off to the
Caribbean and decide my future..after a few tropical drinks, things might
look a little better or blury (tee-hee)... anyway... don't forget to watch
the player's choice awards on ESPN this Friday night.. there will probably
be a few yankees there presenting...that will be a good fix for those of us
going through baseball w/drawls!!


Thanks for posting the article.. it's always nice reading about coney.

Laura <:)

Laura said: 

>don't forget to watch the player's choice awards on ESPN this Friday night..
there will probably be a few yankees there presenting.>

David Justice is supposed to be hosting the show! 

Also, if you get MSG Joe Torre will be on Tim McCarver's show Sunday
at 11:00pm and it's repeated Wednesday at 11:30pm. I find McCarver
obnoxious as a broadcaster, but he's actually a very good interviewer
in a one-on-one situtation. 

And if you get WABC radio, don't forget Kay & Sterling's show is on
9-11pm whenever the Devil's aren't playing. They'll be doing about 55
shows until spring training (which is 109 days away!).

Just to add some Coney content to this, last night K&S were talking
about the possibility of David coming back next year. They thought he
would make a good middle reliever, as he's proven he warms up quickly.
They were also talking about how David realized he made a mistake by
not working out over the winter last year. He thought he should rest
his arm and didn't pick up a baseball at all during the offseason. 

I'm going to be scanning every story in the papers all winter long to
get some clues about whether he'll be back or not. Unfortunately we
might not find out anything until spring training. 
--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/

Hi everyone!  Eyde & Akino-- Thank you for sharing those articles with
us...they made me very emotional!  I really hope Cone is back next
year...all this talk of goodbye and "last times" is so sad!  I love how he
said he *knows* he can still pitch...that's very encouraging, but of
course we all already knew that, right? :)  I am glad he will have some
time to relax now...to just get away and reflect on everything and figure
out what will make him happy.  If they don't try to pursue him again for a
contract next year, it's great to know he still would like to go to Spring
Training to "win a job."  I think that article showed us that Cone is
still eager to pitch next year, which is fabulous!  It's not time for this
guy to retire yet!! :)

About Paulie...wow, I can't imagine the team without that guy.  He really
is a warrior, so much like Cone.  And I really don't think he had such a
terrible season to where he should be thinking of retirement...look at how
he came through in the post-season, especially the World Series!  They may
not've had their 26th Championship without him...

Ally-- Thank you for your kind words!  You are always so positive and I've
always appreciated that. :)  I am glad that you are enjoying the list and
the site...hopefully I will still have more to do....:)

Sue!!  SO wonderful to hear from you!  We've missed ya! :)  I hear you
about the withdrawls/slight depression thing...it's so weird to really
have no reason to watch ESPN anymore, haha...At least baseball has a
pretty short offseason in comparison to other sports...I really hope it
isn't true with the entire team being so different!  I just can't imagine
the Yankees without Knoblauch, Brosius, Paulie, Tino, and of course CONE!
:(  But weren't people buzzing about this last year, and it didn't happen?
Let's remember, nothing is final until we officially hear it from the
organization...the rest is just shallow tabloid rumors...:)

Susan-- Hey!  That is so wild that Justice is hosting the Player's Choice
Awards!  He's a good choice, though...he is very well-spoken...  I wonder
if Cone would want to stay on as any sort of reliever...I'm thinking he
would prefer to be a starter, and Billy Connors is talking him up as one.
I do believe some of his troubles were caused by the inactive offseason
last year, and if he gets on that workout program that Connors was
mentioning, there probably is great hope of him coming back to the Yankees
as a starter...:)  I do hope we find out some information before Spring
Training, or I'll be sitting on pins and needles all offseason!

I also would like to take some time to welcome some new members!  We've
had a good handful of people join the Court within the past couple of
weeks...so welcome aboard!  I hope you all enjoy the list and I look
forward to hearing from all of you! :)

Take care and thanks for writing! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                 --KC <<<<:)

November 5, 2000 
Yankees Want O'Neill Back 
By BUSTER OLNEY 

Paul O'Neill finally heard the words yesterday that he had been waiting to 
hear for months: the Yankees want him for the 2001 season. 

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman called O'Neill's agent, Joe Bick, 
yesterday morning. "He said they would like to have Paul come back," Bick 
said. Cashman and Bick discussed parameters for O'Neill's next contract and 
agreed to talk early in the week. Then Bick called O'Neill. 

"He was happy," Bick said. "He's happy he's going to have an opportunity to 
be part of the picture there." 

O'Neill, 37, was not sure he would return to the Yankees. He was batting over 
.300 in August and was on a pace to drive in about 110 runs but injured his 
right hip, an ailment that nagged at him the final weeks of the regular 
season. O'Neill did not homer after Sept. 6, and in his last 16 games he 
batted .155 with four runs batted in. His struggles continued through the 
first two playoff rounds. Members of the Yankees' organization wondered 
whether his problems were a result of his injury or his age. 

But O'Neill produced the pivotal at- bat in the first game of the World 
Series — probably in the entire Series — when he drew a 10-pitch walk against 
Armando Benitez in the ninth inning and then scored the tying run.

O'Neill hit triples in back-to-back Series games after not hitting a triple 
during the regular season, and when Mets Manager Bobby Valentine was asked if 
anything had surprised him about the Subway Series, he mentioned O'Neill. 

Even as the Yankees won their fourth title in five years and O'Neill earned 
his fifth championship ring — he played with Cincinnati's champions in 1990 — 
there was doubt about O'Neill's status. His contract was set to expire and he 
had been waiting for weeks to hear about the Yankees' plans. Manager Joe 
Torre made a point of calling on O'Neill and David Cone to speak last at the 
celebration parade Monday, a seeming acknowledgment that neither player would 
appear with the Yankees again. 

The Yankees began discussing their bid for Manny Ramirez last week, but after 
club officials evaluated the team in meetings the last two days, they 
apparently determined that whether Ramirez signs or not, there will be a 
place for O'Neill. If the Yankees sign Ramirez or acquire another slugging 
outfielder, they could move O'Neill to left field — or they could leave 
O'Neill in right, where he has played for the better part of a decade.

O'Neill, acquired from the Reds in a trade on Nov. 3, 1992, batted .283 
during the regular season, with 18 homers and 100 R.B.I. He needs 31 hits to 
reach 2,000 for his career, 36 runs to reach 1,000, one more R.B.I. for 
1,200. He earned $6.5 million last year and will presumably receive something 
close to that next season; Bick would not discuss the substance of the 
contract negotiations. 

Ramirez is expected to command a salary of $18 million to $20 million a 
season, and the Cleveland Indians, for whom Ramirez has starred, may drop out 
of the bidding in the days to come. The Yankees cannot negotiate with Ramirez 
until Nov. 11, but the talks could move swiftly. Perhaps with that in mind, 
the Yankees have received permission to wait until Nov. 15 to make a decision 
on whether to exercise the $1.5 million option on Glenallen Hill. Hill has to 
have a medical examination before the Yankees act. 

The Yankees were expected to determine their plans for Cone as well. It would 
seem they have no place for him, unless he is willing to sign for an 
extraordinarily low salary and come to spring training to win a job. Whether 
they reached out to the pitcher yesterday was unclear; several club officials 
did not return telephone calls. 

The Yankees, who will eventually reap the financial benefit of a huge local 
television deal, are also expected to make a firm bid for the free-agent 
pitcher Mike Mussina. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/05/sports/05YANK.html 


My fingers are still crossed for Coney... 

B "whew!" G :)

Yay! I'm happy that O'Neill will be back, but I kinda want Cone back too. 
Cone is SURE they're not going to re-sign him because of the way he played 
this season. I just hope they pick him up.. 

-kris

http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/

Hi!  Akino-- Thank you for sending that article...that *is* great news
about Paulie...I bet he is very happy now, which is wonderful!  I am so
happy for him...I bet you're just beaming over there, Ally! :)  This part
of the article made me want to cry though! <:(

Manager 
Joe 
Torre made a point of calling on O'Neill and David Cone to speak last 
at the 
celebration parade Monday, a seeming acknowledgment that neither player 
would 
appear with the Yankees again.

I know we've read that a lot...but dang, it still pangs me right in the
heart...I'm still holding hope for Cone returning to the Yankees
though...it sounds like Mel and Billy are in his corner, I guess it all
just depends on the Boss.  I've heard that KC has expressed interest in
him, but do you all think he will really go back there...?  I dunno, I
know he wants to pitch and he knows he CAN still pitch...but being a
Yankee has always been so important to him...I wonder what he will do...

Take care~ ~ ~ ~ 
                --KC <<<<:)

Yes, I am indeed beaming!!! :)  Thanks for sending the article, Akino, and
thanks for thinking of me, KC!

More possible good news...I got ESPN Magazine yesterday, and in this little
article "What's Next for the Yankees", they predict that Paulie will be back
for a one year deal no matter what happens with Manny, and...that Cone will
probably be given an incentive-based one year contract!!  :)  OK, it's just
their  speculation,  but they got part 1 right, now let's just keep our fingers
crossed that part 2 works as they said!

If it's up to the Boss, I think he's got a good shot at coming back, because
especially as he gets older, George has shown a real wide sentimental streak,
especially for those guys who he feels got us to the top.  Plus, I think
Coney's personality fits well into George's life, The Boss can use him as an
example of the "saving power" of being a Yankee, he used to be this wild man
hired gun and now's he's the clubhouse leader, and you know George is into that
stuff, ha ha!!  So, given the recent comments by Billy Connors, I am feeling
just a *little* more positive than I was!  I still have the fingers and toes
crossed for him!

Keep smiling, keep those fingers and toes crossed, and keep the faith!

Ally :)

In a message dated 11/7/00 8:41:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
[email protected] writes:

> More possible good news...I got ESPN Magazine yesterday, and in this little 
> article "What's Next for the Yankees", they predict that Paulie will be 
back 
> for a one year deal no matter what happens with Manny, and...that Cone will 
> probably be given an incentive-based one year contract!!  :)  OK, it's just 
> their  speculation,  but they got part 1 right, now let's just keep our 
> fingers crossed that part 2 works as they said!
>  
>  If it's up to the Boss, I think he's got a good shot at coming back, 
because 
> especially as he gets older, George has shown a real wide sentimental 
streak, 
> especially for those guys who he feels got us to the top.  Plus, I think 
> Coney's personality fits well into George's life, The Boss can use him as 
an 
> example of the "saving power" of being a Yankee, he used to be this wild 
man 
> hired gun and now's he's the clubhouse leader, and you know George is into 
> that stuff, ha ha!!  So, given the recent comments by Billy Connors, I am 
> feeling just a *little* more positive than I was!  I still have the fingers 
> and toes crossed for him!

Wahoo! I'm glad about that. Coney is a real great guy to the team. Where 
would they be had they had not had him the last two years?? I hope ESPN's 
speculation is right. I don't know what I'd think next season and not see 
Coney there. 

Kris

Ohhh Ally I hope so.  We need BOTH Paul and Coney to be back w/us.  It would
seem as tho the "brass" of the organization would like him to return, but he
has to work out.  I think IF he wants to come back he could do it.  He did
it in '97 and by the time spring training arrived in '98 they said he was
the most conditioned pitcher on the team.  He had said he was training on
the cruise that he had taken during the off-season (hehe).  Well, now I hear
he's in the Caribbean- wonder if he's started training yet??

Happy voting all and thanks for the uplifting reports!!!   Anyone think
they'll sign Mussina??
Laura

YANKS' BRAINTRUST TOUCHING ALL BASES
Tuesday,November 7,2000

By GEORGE KING and JOEL SHERMAN

Just because Brian Cashman and Mark Newman are not at the GM meetings
doesn't mean they aren't busy devising a game plan for the three-time
defending World Series champion Yankees' off-season.
Newman, the VP of baseball operations, chaired a meeting of George
Steinbrenner's Inner Circle yesterday in Tampa with Cashman, the GM,
tapped in via telephone from Yankee Stadium.

Since free agents can start signing with other teams Saturday, the
Yankees spent yesterday laying plenty of ground work. They left
messages for representatives of Mike Hampton, Mike Mussina and Manny
Ramirez. Tomorrow they plan to talk to Ken Caminiti's agent about a
bench role. However, the Cubs, Mariners, Red Sox and Rangers still
regard Caminiti as a full-time player.

The Yankees also talked to the agents of Red Sox free agent reliever
Tom Gordon. The Yankees view Gordon, who missed last year with an
elbow injury, as insurance in case Jeff Nelson leaves.

While talking to Barry Meister, Denny Neagle's agent, Cashman asked
about veteran right-hander Kevin Appier. The Yankees also asked about
lefty reliever Rheal Cormier, who is a low priority. They touched base
with Alan Nero, the agent for DH/1B David Nilsson who is attracting
attention from the Red Sox and A's. In the event Jose Vizcaino or Luis
Sojo don't return, the Yankees have an interest in Kurt Abbott.

Like several teams, the Yankees are waiting to see how the Ramirez
situation shakes out. Ramirez may resign with the Indians if they come
up with a seven-year deal worth $126 million that isn't heavy on
deferred money.

Regardless of what the Yankees do with Ramirez, they are bringing Paul
O'Neill back. At least that was the plan yesterday.

"We are working on it," O'Neill's agent Joe Bick said of a one-year
deal. "But if it's not done by Friday, we are going to file (for free
agency)."

Cashman also spoke yesterday to agents representing Yankee free agents
David Cone, Vizcaino, Sojo, Neagle and Nelson.

"I talked to Barry Meister," Cashman said. "They are going to test the
market and we will see what's there."

Neagle is looking for a four-year deal worth $36 million and the
Yankees are reluctant to go higher than $8 million a year for three.

"I told (Steve Fehr) that we haven't shut the door on (Cone)," Cashman
said. "But that will be down the tracks a bit."

While the Yankees will monitor all free agents - yes, even Alex
Rodriguez - another name on the table is Ichiro Suzuki.

The Yankees will be among the teams making a bid on the 27-year-old
Japanese outfielder who has won seven straight batting titles in the
Pacific League while playing for the Orix Blue Wave. Bids, which are
sealed, have to be submitted to MLB by tomorrow. Then the Blue Wave
has four days to accept it. If the bid is accepted, the highest bidder
has 30 days to negotiate a contract with Suzuki, who could command $5
million a year.

Bidding could climb as high as $10 million and there is a chance a
team could bid much more and make no effort to sign Suzuki in order to
block him from going to a rival team.
--------------

I have a feeling we're not going to hear anything about Coney for a
while. If they give him a minor-league contract and invite him to
spring training, we might not know if he's made the team until just
before the season begins! Aargh! I can't stand this waiting!!


--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

yes, Susan that figures... I kind of thought that is how the situation would
be ... the waiting will be just awful!! Thanks for the article

Like, Ally I will be keeping my fingers, toes, heck even eyes crossed if
need be.  His coming back will decide if I go to Legend's Field or not!!! I
really hope he makes it!!

Laura

Cone and Sojo file for free agency 

November 7, 2000 

NEW YORK (AP) -- David Cone, unsure the New York Yankees want him
back, filed for free agency Tuesday along with teammate infielder Luis
Sojo, the hero of the World Series finale against the Mets. 

Cone, a right-hander who will be 38 next year, struggled to a 4-14
record and 6.91 ERA this year, and was limited to just two relief
appearances in the postseason. If he does return to the Yankees, it
will be for far less than the $12 million he made this year. 

Sojo, 34, was with the Yankees when they won World Series titles in
1996, 1998 and 1999, then was let go and signed with Pittsburgh last
January. 

The Yankees reacquired him in August in a waiver deal, and he had an
immediate influence in the clubhouse, perking up players who struggled
at times. 

It's unclear if the Yankees will pursue him or Jose Vizcaino, another
infielder acquired during the season to add bench strength, who also
has filed for free agency. 

A total of 125 players have filed for free agency, and 18 more players
are potentially eligible to file by Friday's deadline. 

Of the 18 players who haven't filed, eight have options for next year
that have not yet been exercised. 

-----------------

I'm trying very hard to remain optimistic until I don't have a reason
to do so, but this story depressed me anyway.




--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/

Hi everyone!  Wow, a lot of news today!  Susan thank you for sending us
those articles, I think they sound pretty optimistic!  First of all, it's
nice to know Cone has filed for Free Agency, that means he's not retiring
*yay*. :)  Secondly, I find it encouraging that Cashman went and contacted
Fehr about Cone, that means that the Yankees are thinking about him, and
aren't necessarily ready to give up on him.  The only thing that has me
mildly concerned is if they take their sweet time trying to decide what to
do with Cone... especially since it's rumored that Kansas City is
interested in him as well.  I think it's safe to say though that the
Yankees are Cone's main priority, and if he is invited to Spring Training
to "win a job" I think he would take it.  Also what Laura brought up about
"the Boss" are good points and also very encouraging...after all, he is
the final word on all of this business...:)  I agree about the waiting
though, it's driving me batty!!  You know I'm keeping my fingers crossed
with all of you!! :)

Thanks for writing!!!  Take care! ~ ~ ~ ~
                                   --KC <<<<:)

Hello All

O.K. I must just be completely desperate for any kind of news on our team
(in particular DC.. of course).... this must of happen before he went off to
the Caribbean!

How Quickly They Forget. "Survivor" castaway SEAN
KENNIFF was comfortably seated with friends at a VIP
table at Studio 54 when management hurriedly swooped in
and had them moved to a less visible area. It seems
DAVID CONE was coming in with two friends and they
wanted him to have the better spot.

Have a good weekend all....
Laura :)

OK, I admit I'm desperate for any news of David! Here's a mention that
was in a story about the Yanks courting Mussina:


BOMBERS MEET O'S REP TODAY

Wednesday,November 15,2000

Meeting with Arn Tellem before they have made a significant free-agent
bid anywhere demonstrates how serious the Yankees are about securing
Mussina. They see him joining Roger Clemens, Orlando Hernandez and
Andy Pettitte to form an imposing rotation quartet. The Yanks would
then go cheap at the No. 5 spot with either David Cone brought back at
a reduced rate or prospect Adrian Hernandez.



--
susan peters ~ [email protected]