On tonight's show Kay said he spoke to Brian Cashman today about
David. Brian admitted the Yankees never made a formal offer to David.
They asked what it would take for David to sign, but that was as far
as their talks went.

According to Kay, David was counting on being signed by the Mets and
was shocked when they didn't make an offer to him. 

I'm not sure I understand this - are they implying that David would
have preferred to sign with the Mets? Did he think he'd have a more
important role with them than with the Yankees?

Kay said David played his cards wrong. K&S both feel that David should
have ended his career in NY.

BTW KC, thank you so much for sharing your poem with us! It was very
touching.


--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

-----Original Message-----
From: Laura Naughton [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 8:42 AM
To: '[email protected]'
Subject: RE: Some Comments from K&S


Good Morning All!

Wow.. I am confused as well.  I still don't get the whole Met's thing!  I
have no idea why he would want to go there, unless they led him to believe
he would have been a 3rd or 4th starter, but it was very clear to me that
the Met's had other intentions!

They never actually made an offer to David - so, it was true after all!
Everyone said that they did!!

>They asked what it would take for David to sign, but that was as far
as their talks went.

I am confused by that one too... did David's agent just not get back to
them??  I really wish I was a fly on the wall during these conversations,
b/c I just find it hard to believe a relationship that long would just end!
I mean, yes I know this is a business, but he was pretty much a big part of
the team.. bad season and all, it went beyond that!  He had the support of
Joe, Mel and even Brian Cashman.. heck even George liked him.. oh well.. I
too wish he could have ended his career with us :(

Thanks for the update on S&K.. btw.. David hasn't signed anywhere yet, and
based on the article KC posted the other day.. it said he was talking to
another team.. hmmm.. wonder which one!!??

the mystery continues...

have a great day!
Laura

When I heard them say that if he knew he wouldn't get signed by the Mets he 
would have stayed with the Yankees, it broke my heart. I cannot amagine the 
Yankees with out Coney because ever since I've been a fan Coney has been on 
the team.

~Eyde

I saw a comparison of David's numbers the first half of the season vs.
the second half:

W 	L 	ERA 	IP 	H 	BB 	K
1 	7 	6.40 	90.0 	108 	43 	64
3 	7 	7.62 	65.0  	84 	39 	56

Look at the improvement in BB/IP and K's/IP in the second-half. It
appears David was well on the way to redemption when he fell heavily
on his left shoulder in that fateful KC game in early Sept.  Had it
not been for that injury, Cone not Neagle would have had the ball, and
Clemens and Pettitte would not have had to work on 3 days rest in the
ALDS. 
--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

Thanks for pointing that out, Susan.  May I take it a step further?

You didn't really think I could see an e-mail titled "Some Interesting 
Numbers" and not contribute, did you? ;-)

David's first half H/9IP ratio was: 10.8H/9IP  His BB/9IP ratio was: 
4.3BB/9IP His K/9IP ratio was: 6.4K/9IP.

Taking out his last 4 appearances, the ones post-injury, his second half 
H/9IP ratio was: 10.0H/9IP. His BB/9IP ratio was: 3.0BB/9IP  His K/9IP ratio 
was: 8.0K/9IP.  His ERA in that period was 5.72, and he was 3-4.

Just dissecting a bit... :-)

--Britt

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

Hey everyone...Here's just a little tidbit of news I found:

The Rangers are still awaiting an answer from Cone but are growing wary of
the delay and wondering if it means his interest in coming to Texas is
weakening.

I really wonder what's going on, like is he talking with other teams,
still pondering the closer vs. starter thing...who knows.  The Royals
already gained a closer, so I don't know if they would still be interested
in David for that role.  

As far as David and signing with the Mets...I do believe he would have
preferred to sign with them only because he thought he would have had a
more important role on that team.  I don't think he really wants to leave
New York, and this whole mishap with the Mets really put a damper on his
plans.  I know a lot of fans have been pondering this thought of him
re-signing with the Yankees on May 1st, and with the way he hasn't made
any moves with the Rangers or anyone else, it's making me wonder if that
isn't his real plan right now.  I don't know why he would do that
though...I mean May 1st?  That's losing the first month of the season
right there...it just doesn't make sense to me...

Also, thank you for the statistical analyses!  Those are always quite
interesting. :)  I do believe he was totally on his way back before he
fell in KC...it just all falls in to his "Murphy's Law" year...

Take care!~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                   --KC :)

Here's a longer version:


Red Sox sign David Cone 

By JIMMY GOLEN
AP Sports Writer 
 January 11, 2001 

BOSTON (AP) -- David Cone left the New York Yankees for their biggest
rival. 

The 38-year-old former Cy Young Award winner agreed Thursday to a
one-year contract with Boston. 

"He wants to beat the Yankees," Boston general manager
Dan Duquette said. ``Why else would he sign with the Red
Sox?'' 

Cone, who has five World Series rings, has a 184-116
record and a 3.40 ERA over a 15-year career but struggled
last season, going 4-14 with a 6.91 ERA in 155 innings. 

He did not start in the postseason, making just two relief
appearances. One was key: In Game 4 of the World Series,
he got Mike Piazza to fly out in the fifth inning. 

"Obviously, we still think he has a lot left to offer,'' Red Sox
pitching coach Joe Kerrigan said. ``He's one of those class
pitchers of the last decade, one of the clutch pitchers over
the last decade. He's got something to prove, He said he
was embarrassed with his performance last year. He has a
lot of pride and he wants to show the world he's not a
four-game winner.'' 

The deal is not guaranteed, meaning Boston could release
him during spring training and owe just termination pay. But
if he makes the roster and pitches regularly during the season, he
could make between $4 million and $5 million. 

Cone had been with the Yankees since 1995 but he wasn't interested in
returning to New York as its fifth starter next season. The Yankees
wanted to cut his salary, which was $12 million last season, and
offered a guarantee of only $500,000. 

He lost eight straight decisions during a 15-start winless streak last
season and just seemed to be regaining some of his form when he
dislocated his left shoulder on Sept. 5 at Kansas City. Before last
year, Cone had six straight winning seasons and had not had
an ERA above 3.60 since 1987. 

He threw last week for Duquette and manager Jimy Williams in Florida. 

"He looks fine to me. He definitely looked good,'' Williams said.
``His delivery looked cleaned up to me.'' 

Cone won the AL Cy Young Award with the Royals in 1994, and has also
pitched for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. 

He had been courted by Texas, Kansas City and Montreal, with the
Royals proposing to convert him to a reliever. 

``It was the comfort level of the manager and the pitching coach,
which was a major part of the decision,'' his agent, Steve Fehr said.
``He turned down more guaranteed money elsewhere, this is where he
wanted to be.'' 

Cone is the latest reclamation project for Duquette, who also signed
two-time Cy Young winner Bret Saberhagen when he was recovering from
surgery. 

``David Cone knows how to win a game,'' Duquette said. ``He's won some
big games in his career.'' 

Cone was a leader on the Yankees as they won four World Series titles
in the last five seasons, including the last three. Boston was
impressed by his makeup. 

``I never heard him alibi one time,'' Williams said. ``He probably
could have had more wins, but I've never heard him complain about one
thing in his career.'' 
--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

I hate Boston! If there was one place I wish he wouldn't sign, it would be 
there. I can't believe this:_(

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

Well this is certainly a shocker.  I know this is pretty much terrible
news from the fans' perspective...I have really been trying to make sense
out of this decision.  There has to be some logical explanation for it.  I
think some of it has to do with the location factor...he really didn't
want to leave New York, so maybe he thought Texas was too far away.  Also,
he wants to pitch for a contender and maybe he just didn't see the Rangers
as being one.  The Red Sox definitely are, and if he makes the team (the
if I will address shortly) I do believe it's possible he could be the key
for the Red Sox to win the World Series.  He has done it for Toronto and
he did it for the Yankees...

Now this whole business of having to compete for a 5th starting position
sounds extremely wacky.  If he is content with being a 5th starter, why
didn't he just stay with the Yankees?  The only thing I can figure again
is the whole Mets plan falling through, that seems to be the only logical
explanation...Also, I had the "priviledge" of listening to S&K this
evening...and from what I could tell from them...he may not exactly be
competing just for the 5th spot...The Red Sox #1 starter will be Pedro but
they made it sound like it could be anyone in any order after that.  Maybe
David is seeing more opportunity here...we all know how determined he is,
and he really sounds like he wants to prove himself more than ever before
after last season...

People are mostly saying this could be about the money...and it very well
could be...though if it is more about money, I would blame that more on
his agent Steve Fehr than David himself...I believe that David just wants
to pitch in the most opportunistic environment possible...Plus, what is
the big difference in say $2 million when David already has countless
millions?  It just doesn't add up...

MelliJ-- I couldn't agree with what you said more.  With the way I have
seen a lot of fans talk about David during and after this past season, I
don't think they deserve to have him on their team if they can't
appreciate all he has done and all he gives when he is out there.
However, the Yankees themselves were always wonderful to David, and I do
think this is a shame that they had to part ways like this...I just don't
want there to be bad blood, it just doesn't seem right that
way...Hopefully we can hear some comments from David soon, after all he is
the one who knows what's going on. :)

Take care everyone~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                           --KC :)

By JIMMY GOLEN
AP Sports Writer 
January 12, 2001 

BOSTON (AP) -- David Cone has won the World Series once with the
Toronto Blue Jays and four times with the New York Yankees. 
 If he picks up a sixth title in 2001, though, it would be anything
but old hat. 

"It certainly is something that I have thought about,'' the free
agent pitcher said Friday, a day after agreeing to a $1
million, one-year contract with the star-crossed Boston Red
Sox. ``There is such a hunger for a World Series
championship in Boston, and I'm aware of how long it's
been. That certainly would be exciting.'' 

The Red Sox haven't won the World Series since 1918, watching their
New York nemeses win 26 since then. Red Sox manager Jimy Williams said
one thing that attracted the team to Cone was his history of success. 

"You have an individual who has pitched big games and won big games,''
Williams said when the deal was announced Thursday night at the Boston
baseball writers' dinner, where the news was greeted with a rousing
cheer.

"He really knows how to compete.'' 
  
Cone won the AL Cy Young Award with the Royals in 1994 and pitched a
perfect game for the Yankees in '99. In a 15-year career, he has a
184-116 record and a 3.40 ERA. 

Before last year, he had six straight winning seasons and had not had
an ERA above 3.60 since 1987. But he struggled in 2000, going 4-14
with a 6.91 ERA in 155 innings and losing eight straight decisions
during a 15-start winless streak. 

Just when he seemed to be regaining some of his form, he dislocated
his left shoulder on Sept. 5 at Kansas City. He made only two relief
appearances in the 2000 Series, delivering a key out when he induced
Mike Piazza hit a fly ball in the fifth inning of Game 4. 

"If there was any way to go out as a Yankee, that was all I could ask
for,'' Cone said. ``I have nothing to say bad about the Yankees. I won
four World Series with them. That's certainly nothing anybody can take
away.'' 

Cone made $12 million last year, but the Yankees offered to take him
back as a fifth starter at a salary of $500,000. 

"I really felt like the Yankees thought I was replaceable,'' he said.
"I needed to go somewhere else where I could contribute more.'' 

The Boston deal guarantees Cone only $163,934 in termination pay if he
is released at least 15 days before opening day. If he makes the
opening day roster, his base salary would be increased to $2 million. 

He could earn up $2 million in performance bonuses, collecting the
entire amount if he makes 30 starts or pitches 200 innings. He would
earn an extra $1 million if he is voted comeback player of the year. 

"I have to come into spring training to prove myself,'' Cone said.
"But that doesn't scare me at this point.'' 

Cone will compete for a fifth spot in the rotation with Tomo Okha,
Paxton Crawford, Tim Wakefield, Pete Schourek, Sun-Woo Kim and Bret
Saberhagen, another Cy Young-winner signed by Boston on what seemed
like the tail end of his career.

Saberhagen won 25 games in two years for the Red Sox before winding up
on the disabled list for much of last season. 

Pedro Martinez, Frank Castillo, Rolando Arrojo and Hideo Nomo are
expected to make the Red Sox rotation. 

"They assured me that I'd be given the opportunity to make the
rotation and hopefully pitch behind Pedro next year,'' Cone said.
"Pedro Martinez is arguably the best pitcher in the game.''

--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

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

There certainly are a lot of articles out today about what has happened
with Cone and the Red Sox.  While most of them do report basically the
same things, a few do include tiny, interesting tibits.  Here is a link to
some of them: 

http://www.prosportspage.com/boston.html  

I had mentioned before that I felt location was a factor for Cone, and one
article does in fact state that as one reason for his interest in Boston.
Also, another mentions he and Jimy Williams go back to days when they were
in Toronto together...  It appears this is not about the money since he
could have gotten guaranteed more elsewhere, and another article stated
that Cone is hoping to win the #2 spot in Boston, which is much more than
he could have gotten from the Yankees.  The guy is *very* determined to
prove himself, arguably more than he ever has been.  He has always been
inspired by the dramatics, and this whole Yankees-Boston thing is
certainly one of the grandest dramas of all time.  I don't see this as him
being a "traitor," after all, it was quoted that he felt the Yankees saw
him as replacable...Boston really seems to be interested.  I believe David
truly loved being a Yankee, but I also believe he loves to pitch above all
else, and if Boston is the most opportunistic place for him to reach his
goals, I say more power to him...

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

>From: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: Lots of articles...
>Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 20:56:54 EST
>
>Coney's Court! - http://ConeysCourt.listbot.com
>
>--------------------------- ListBot Sponsor --------------------------
>   Dial 800-555-TELL. Instant updates - One free call.
>   Sports, stocks, driving directions...& much more!
>
>    http://www.bcentral.com/listbot/tellme1
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>I agree with you, KC.  As shocked as I was (who wasn't?), I know it 
>probably
>was for the best.  And location was one of the bigger factors.  Maybe he 
>can
>rebuild and come back...who knows?  I hope he can get 200 wins...if not, 
>then
>I hope he just pitches well.  Good luck to him.
>
>Jen
>
>

     Hey Guys!
This is probably the worst news we have all had since David was released by 
the Yankees. Right now I'm trying to sort my feelings out about the whole 
situation. I'm not sure how I feel but I'm going to be honest to get it all 
off my chest,so please don't be mad or take offense anyone because I'm sure 
some of my feelings will change once this has sunk in and I've gotten used 
to the whole idea.
I'm still upset about the fact that Coney wasn't resigned by the Yankees. 
this of course was not David's fault because there was never a real offere 
made. Like I have said before the Yankees made somthing public to save face. 
They knew if they didn't make and "offer" to him the fans would have gone 
nuts.
I would be fine if David played for anyone. I accepted the fact he would no 
longer be a Yankee and I wanted the best for him, and I still do. I just 
can't belive it's going to have to be while he's wearing a Red Sox uniform.
In a way I hope he bombs out and dosen't make it on the team so i will never 
have to view the terriable site of him wearing my enemies uniform. Does 
anyone else feel this way or is it just the sore loser in me? Then again I 
want him to come back this season and have a great year. To prove to 
everyone what we already know, He still has it and still can pitch.I want 
him to get the 200 wins he deserves it. He has worked so hard to get where 
he is and I would hate for him not to finish out his career on the level he 
wants to be on.
I know he wanted to finish his career as a yankee. There is no doubt in my 
mind if they offered him a contract even if they wanted to put him in the 
bullpen he would have taken it. I don't think by any means he signed with 
the Red Sox just to beat the Yankees. I know he wanted to go to a team where 
he was needed.
The thing that bothers me the most is how all the Red Sox fans always said 
David was done well now my brother tells me (who lives in Boston) the media 
and the fans are going crazy saying he's not done he can still pitch. Not 
suprised huh?
Well I'm sorry I went on and on and this my not make a bit of sense because 
I'm so devistated. Thanx guys for letting me vent and even though I said it 
in my heart I do hope he makes the team and pitches well.I guess LOL !

>

Cesca, you seem to be going through the same emotions I'm feeling
right now. I'm hurt, angry, totally confused, etc. 

Did the Yankees make him an offer or not? Kay & Sterling insist that
people they've talked to high up in the front office say there
definitely was an offer made for $500,000, and then they asked what
else it would take (in incentives) for him to sign. He was pencilled
in as the Yankees' 5th starter, and when they saw he was pitching well
in spring training he'd be given the slot. Yet when they asked what it
would take to make him come back, David never responded. Why?? Now
he's in a situtation where he's fighting for a spot in the (ohmygod I
can't even type this!) Red Sux rotation against almost a dozen other
pitchers. 

Michael Kay put in a request to interview David, which was turned
down. Doesn't he feel he has something to say to his fans? We've been
so loyal to him. He's got to appreciate the way we feel. He once said
he bleeds pinstripes, so he's got to realize the way we feel about him
signing with the Sux. David has always been so accessible before. Why
the silence now? All we hear are people like Steve Fehr and Dan
Duquette acting like his mouthpieces now. David's always done his own
talking before, and honestly I don't trust either Steve or Dan to
speak for him. I want to hear what David has to say for himself!

You know what the worst part of all this is going to be? Hearing him
booed at the Stadium. Cesca, like you part of me is hoping he bombs
out and doesn't make the team. Then he'll just retire and we'll never
have to look at him in a Red Sux uni. 

I was looking forward to the future, when we'd have a David Cone Day
at the Stadium and possibly retire his number. Now he's cut his ties
to the Yankees forever I'm afraid. I think too many fans don't want
anything to do with him anymore. All those wonderful years pitching
for us are forgotten. People feel betrayed.

Sorry I'm rambling but I have so many conflicting feelings and
thoughts. I guess with time I'll be able to come to terms with all
this, but it's hard getting through it right now. It's great to have
you all for support!
--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

Cone sweet on Red Sox: Glad for shot at fresh start
by Michael Silverman 

Saturday, January 13, 2001

David Cone did not sign with the Red Sox in order to exact revenge on
the Yankees.

Cone signed with the Red Sox to find redemption for his career.

After a disastrous 4-14, 6.91 ERA season with the Yankees last year,
the 38-year-old veteran right-hander wants to prove that he can still
find the groove that has guided him to a 184-116, 3.40 career
the past 15 seasons.

For many reasons, Cone believes, the Red Sox offered him the perfect
environment.

``A lot of people think that athletes at the end of their career are
prone to denial,'' Cone said yesterday.
``I'm not ready to concede anything. I believe I can regain the levels
of pitching I have done in the past.

``(The Red Sox) assured me they would give me every opportunity to
crack the rotation. I know I had a bad year last year but I still feel
like a good pitcher.''

The Red Sox felt that way, too, after manager Jimy Williams and
pitching coach Joe Kerrigan watched Cone throw in Tampa, Fla., just
after New Year's. They were impressed, and Cone - who had been
wooed by Alex Rodriguez to join him on the Rangers - became interested
in the Sox.

``I really developed a comfort level and a connection with (Williams
and Kerrigan),'' said Cone. ``They made me feel wanted. . . . Texas
was certainly the most aggressive team and we were pretty far down
the road with Texas. It was difficult to say no to Texas.''

Cone said he and Kerrigan have already had conversations about his
flawed mechanics and some predictable patterns he fell into last
season, particularly with runners on base.

The topic of leadership, and the lack of it, in the Sox clubhouse were
brought up by Williams, Kerrigan and Sox GM Dan Duquette. Cone, known
as a steadying veteran force and a go-to guy for the media's
purpose, was flattered at being approached to fill that role.

He said it was a ``big selling point'' in his decision, but he would
have to approach it delicately.

``It's certainly a situation you have to be careful with, because you
can lose credibility if you come on too strongly,'' said Cone, who is
5-1 and has a 3.25 ERA in his eight career starts at Fenway Park. He
is 7-3, 3.22 in his 15 career starts against the Red Sox.

Other factors involved in Cone's decision were that friend and old/new
teammate Bret Saberhagen called to ask him to join him here, plus he
wants to pitch in the same rotation as Pedro Martinez. Cone
believes the Red Sox' bullpen is very deep and he is a big fan of
closer Derek Lowe. Cone's wife, Lynn, attended Wheaton College.

Last but not least, Cone said that after six seasons of facing the Red
Sox in a Yankees uniform, he was on some level thrilled to remain a
player in that storied rivalry.

``It's going to be very exciting,'' Cone said about pitching against
the Yankees. ``It should be both strange and exciting at the same
time. I understand I'll be subjected to heat from Yankee fans in what
I believe is the greatest rivalry but for me, the pluses outweigh the
minuses.''

Said Steve Fehr, Cone's agent: ``He's got no grudge against the
Yankees. It just made more sense for him to come to Boston.''

If Cone breaks spring training on the 25-man roster, he will make a $2
million base salary, with a portion of that money deferred. If he can
attain innings-pitched and games-started incentives, he can earn
another $2 million.

Other bonuses could push the total worth of his contract to $5
million.

--
susan peters ~ [email protected]