Sorry, I fogot to credit the last article to the Boston Herald. Here's
another one from the same paper:

by Michael Gee 

Saturday, January 13, 2001

If there's one kind of player Dan Duquette likes better than another
DH, it's another well-known pitcher with an apparent future. So in
more ways than one, David Cone and the Red Sox were made for each
other.

Cone signed a most provisional one-year contract with the Sox on
Thursday. If he makes the team and pitches well, he could earn $5
million. Until Opening Day, Cone comes very nearly free of charge.

Hiring a former Cy Young Award winner on spec, even if he is 38, could
never be a bad business deal. Cone's distinguished resume parallels
that of Duquette's most successful pick from the twirler's discard
pile, Bret Saberhagen. In fact, Cone and Saberhagen were twice
teammates, with the Royals in 1986 and the Mets in 1992.

He didn't throw a pitch for them last year, but in a weird way,
Saberhagen, not Pedro Martinez, still sets the tone for the Red Sox
starting rotation. If Saberhagen hadn't come back from what was
supposed to be a career-ending shoulder injury to be the club's second
starter in 1998 and '99, the Sox would never have acquired Cone, not
to mention Hideo Nomo, Rolando Arrojo, and Kent Mercker (twice).

Sports is a copycat business. But Duquette is copying himself. If a
starting pitcher has ever shown an ability to get major league hitters
out, the Sox are willing to spend much time and little up-front money
to see if he can do it again.

And why not? Duquette's got plenty of incentive-laden contracts in his
desk drawer. And if things don't work out, neither he nor manager Jimy
Williams have any qualms about making 75 or 80 roster changes
in a season.

As Saberhagen showed, the potential upside from running a halfway
house for veteran hurlers is enormous. In an era where No. 3 starters
make $10 million a year, Saberhagen helped the Sox earn two
playoff berths for peanuts.

As Ramon Martinez showed, Duquette's approach also has its downside. A
team that counts on miracle comebacks as its formula for a starting
rotation is apt to find itself making calls to the bullpen in far too
many fourth innings.

Cone's potential upside is beyond enormous. He has been one of
baseball's true professionals, a gun for hire who embodies the game's
code. He has been more than big-time in more than many big games.

Cone was also at liberty when the Sox grabbed him. He was unwilling to
become a spot starter for his former club, the Yankees. The Yankees,
for their part, had lost faith in a revered leader they paid $12
million last season.

The question over Cone's head is less serious but more troubling than
the one people had about Saberhagen. There were doubts Saberhagen
could ever throw a baseball again, period. The worry with
Cone is that he can no longer get anybody out when he's healthy.

Since his perfect game July 18, 1999, Cone went from one of baseball's
best pitchers to one of its worst, 6-19 with a 6.25 ERA. At Cone's
age, that means one of three things. He's battled a nagging injury,
he's done, or both.

That doesn't mean the Sox shouldn't have signed Cone, or that fans
shouldn't be happy they did. All you need to know about the dearth of
pitching today is that after a 4-14 season, there was a modest bidding
war for Cone's services, with the Sox edging out the Rangers, another
club that spent a fortune on its lineup and still has no fourth
starter.

If Cone could just be a .500 pitcher, he'd be a valuable Red Sox. That
``chemistry in the clubhouse'' stuff is mostly hooey, but a man who's
been a valued part of more than one champion is a good example for a
team hoping to be the champ itself.

But the fact remains that there aren't enough starting pitchers to go
around in the major leagues. Any time your team acquires a pitcher
another club's been willing to let go, you have to wonder. Is our GM
the smart guy here, or was it theirs?

For the Red Sox, Cone was a risk well worth taking. So were Nomo and
Frank Castillo. But a risk worth taking is a risk nonetheless.




--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

Hey pen, you said mostly what I wanted to say, too.  I didn't comment on
this before because I was in shock.  Even though I'd heard before that he
was talking to Boston, I never quite thought that he'd actually sign with
them.  I don't hate the Sox like some other Yankee fans do, but it seems
my brand of fandom is much different from that of many other Yankee fans,
anyway.  Maybe I'm naive, but I believe in the kind of sportsmanlike
competition where you can want to beat the pants off someone *without*
hating their guts.  I'm not sure if I can bring myself to root for the Sox
to win when Coney does, though.  Since I, being of Japanese descent. do
want Nomo to prove himself there too and then I'd have to root for the Sox
to win TWO out of five days!  Sigh...

As for why he made this move, I think that perhaps Boston's reputation
for salvaging the careers of struggling pitchers was a draw for David. And
considering how the Boston rotation is like "Pedro then pray for rain",
even though he's "offically" competing for a #5 spot he has much more
chance to become a #3 or maybe even a #2 if he steps it up.  And he can
stay in the East Coast area where he seems to like to live.

However, I do wish Coney hadn't signed with the Sox because of the way
this will turn most Yankee fans against him.  Somehow I doubt there ever
will be a David Cone Day at the Stadium now.  Yes he will be booed when he
comes back, I have no doubt about that.  Some people were booing him
even when he was in pinstripes, last year!  I was at that terrible game
on July 4th when I heard those boos.  I think that if it were any other
team (except maybe the Mets) the cheers would be louder than the boos, but
now...seems he's burned his bridges, like Susan said.  I haven't been to
bb.com and am not sure when I will go.  As for the Evil KingDOM, that's
not even on my bookmark list anymore.

All that being said, if David gets those 200 wins, and if he gets into the
Hall, I think he'll go in with a Yankee cap...

-- Akino
aka B "slowly adjusting" G :)

By BILL MADDEN Daily News Sports Writer


David Cone knows he comes off looking like a traitor signing with the
Red Sox. It goes with the free-agency territory and he says he's
prepared for the boos from a Yankee Stadium constituency that once
adored him.

"I've always tried to be a stand-up guy and be accountable," Cone told
the Daily News yesterday. "But I feel in my own mind that I did my
part for them. I could have left in 1998 or '99 as a free agent and
signed long-term deals someplace else but both times I chose to stay
with the Yankees on one-year deals. I showed my loyalty this past year
but in the end we both felt it was time to part ways."


Cone's deal with the Red Sox guarantees him $2 million if he's on the
Opening Day roster. He can then earn another $2 million if he makes 30
starts or pitches 200 innings. He would get an additional $1 million
if he wins Comeback of the Year honors from The Sporting News.

For his part, Cone acknowledged that he probably could have stayed if
he had been willing to accept being the Yankees' No. 5 starter. In
addition to the opportunity to earn considerably more than the
Yankees' offer of $500,000 guaranteed and $1 million in incentives,
Cone apparently has been told he can be the No. 2 starter behind Pedro
Martinez.

"I was very impressed with the way (Red Sox manager) Jimy Williams and
(pitching coach) Joe Kerrigan talked to me after they came to see me
pitch (last week)," Cone said. "It meant a lot to be considered to
pitch behind Pedro in the front end of the rotation.

"I admit I let my pride enter into (the Yankee negotiations) at the
end, while on their end they probably felt my spot could be easily
filled."

As bad as Cone was last year - 4-14, 6.91 - the Red Sox may not have
been jiving him in suggesting he could be their second starter. Their
rotation behind Pedro is Hideo Nomo, Rolando Arrojo and Frank Castillo
- retreads all - with Cone, Pete Schoureek, Tim Wakefield, Tomo Ohka,
Sun-Woo Kim and Paxton Crawford all in the mix for the remaining spot.

If nothing else, though, Cone figures to have plenty of protection
when he makes his first appearance back at the Stadium this season in
the uniform of the hated Red Sox. He'll have a lineup with Manny
Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra and Carl Everett hitting behind him and
Martinez pitching (hopefully) right in front of him in the Red Sox
rotation.

He needs 16 wins for 200, a "must have" number if hopes to even be
considered for the Hall of Fame. The opportunity is there and the Red
Sox figure to generate plenty of run support.

"There's one incentive clause for Comeback Player of the Year," Cone
said. "That's any award you never want to win, but now that I'm in
this situation, I hope I can. (Red Sox GM Dan) Duquette talked about
(200 wins) and that was definitely a consideration."

There are no guarantees, of course, not even of making the staff. Call
Cone a mercenary, if you want, but he was not going to retire on that
4-14 season.

"I feel like I've gone through a divorce," he said. "It was tough
leaving the Yankees and all those memories. Joe Torre called me over
Christmas and was very gracious and (yesterday) Gene Michael called me
to wish me good luck. I thought that was a really classy thing."
--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

From the NY Post

By TOM KEEGAN

Shut your eyes and try hard to picture this: David Cone, wearing Red
Sox road grays, staring in at Derek Jeter holding a bat. Cone imagined
just such scenarios over the past 10 days and the more he pictured
them, the more he liked what he saw.

"It's something I have thought long and hard about the last week or
so," Cone said yesterday via conference call. "I expect somewhat of a
mixed reaction to me. The pluses outweigh the minuses. I know a lot of
passionate Yankee fans aren't going to like this much. Nevertheless, I
felt playing in Boston was the best place for me."

A day after agreeing to a contract that could bring him as much as $5
million if all the incentives are met or as little as $163,934 if he
is released up to 15 days before Opening Day, Cone said the Red Sox
made him feel wanted.

The Yankees, who offered Cone a $500,000 guarantee but did not offer
him arbitration, did they make Cone feel wanted?

"I really feel like the Yankees felt like I was replaceable and that
they had other players," Cone said.

If Cone, 38, makes the Opening Day roster, his guaranteed base
increases to $2 million. He can make up to $2 million more in
incentives based on starts and innings, topping out at 30 starts and
200 innings pitched. He receives $1 million if named Comeback Player
of the Year.

Cone, the 1994 Cy Young Award winner and a five-time World Champion
who has 184 career victories, put himself in prime position for the
comeback award by going 4-14 with a 6.91 ERA in his final season with
the Yankees. He was 60-26 as a Yankee before last season.

Cone said he attributed the decline to poor mechanics and predictable
pitching patterns. He said he was encouraged by advice given him in
both areas by Red Sox pitching coach Joe Kerrigan.

Asked about loyalty, given he bolted the Yankees after giving them a
four-win return on their $12 million investment in 2000, Cone pleaded
not guilty.

"That's obviously a valid question and one I have heard before," Cone
said. "My last couple of years with the Yankees I signed one-year
deals when I could have gone elsewhere for multi-year deals, including
after '98 when I won 20 games. I feel I have shown proper loyalty."

He also won over countless fans, some of whom he lost with his
decision to sign with the Red Sox.

"I understand I'm going to be subjected to some heat from Yankee
fans," Cone said. "It's going to put me right in the middle of what I
consider the greatest rivalry in sports."

Cone said he has been working out for several weeks. He expressed
confidence in a return to form. At the same time, he realized how that
might sound to some who watched him struggle for wins in the summer of
2000.

"A lot of people think athletes toward the end of their careers are
prone to be in denial," Cone said. "I'm not willing to concede
anything. I think I can be front line starter and provide support for
Pedro (Martinez)."

--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

I don't mean to be flooding the list with articles, but there's a lot
being written now - if you're not interested you always have the
option to hit delete!

---------------------------
Bergen Record

by Bob Klapisch

David Cone has made a career out of taking chances, and no matter what
you think of his stunning defection to Boston -- whether it's good
business or high treason -- this much is certain: Cone is risking
everything by joining the Red Sox Nation.

He could easily be pounded into submission at Fenway Park. His slider
could be flat and lifeless from the first day pitchers and catchers
report, never to regain consciousness. Even worse, Cone could end his
career on such an ugly note, his most impressive accomplishments --
that 1999 perfect game against the Expos, the 20-3 record with the
Mets in 1988 -- could all be washed away.

Despite all the worst-case scenarios, however, Cone's decision to
accept Boston's money was brilliant, gutsy, and the only path he could
have ever followed. If Cone evaporates in 2001, at least he'll have
done so boldly. No one will ever accuse him of sneaking out the back
door.

At Fenway, Cone will be more closely scrutinized than at any time in
New York. The baseball community in Boston devours its own, year after
year. And the franchise is choreographed by one of the major leagues'
least-liked executives, general manager Dan Duquette.

After five summers with good guys such as Joe Torre and Brian Cashman,
Cone is about to learn how Duquette's arrogance drove Mo Vaughn and
Roger Clemens out of town. In fact, Duquette already overplayed his
hand Thursday, announcing that Cone signed with Boston "to beat" the
Yankees.

Friends of the right-hander said he was aghast that Duquette would
actually pit him against the Bombers, as if he needs revenge to
motivate him at age 38. Truth is, Cone signed with Boston for three
very legitimate reasons.

First, the Royals' offer to make him the closer dried up when Roberto
Hernandez was acquired in this week's three-team trade with the A's
and Devil Rays.

Second, Cone knew, despite the turbo dollars being stuffed in Alex
Rodriguez's pockets, that the Rangers still haven't closed the gap on
Oakland in the AL West. And Cone has no appetite for a sports culture
that worships football over baseball.

And finally, Cone listened to the Red Sox because they mounted a
sincere campaign to sign him. As agent Steve Fehr put it, "It's all
about going where you're wanted the most." The Yankees had no real
interest, not after signing Mike Mussina, and the Mets . . . well,
shame on them.

If there's any villain here, it's Mets general manager Steve Phillips,
who wouldn't even pick up the phone to explore Cone's availability.
How much risk was involved, really? The Mets so badly bungled the
A-Rod courtship, signing Cone would have been the perfect
public-relations elixir -- and for only $500,000.

Instead, the Mets busied themselves with the skittish Kevin Appier,
and the mediocre Steve Trachsel. Sooner or later, Phillips will have
to cover his deficits and overpay for David Wells -- a huge risk in
itself, considering Boomer's age (38) and his second-half numbers in
2000 (5-6, 4.97 ERA) -- but that still doesn't explain the Mets'
indifference to Cone.

"What if he's finished?" Phillips said one day during the winter
meetings in Dallas. It's a reasonable question, considering Cone won
only four games last year, but once again, the Mets failed to act
boldly.

That's why Cone to the Sox is a perfect fit, because both sides are
taking chances. Cone knows the Wall could devour him. He also knows
he's severed his ties with the Yankees. But let's face it: He was
never a lifelong Bomber and pitching for the Sox hardly makes him a
traitor.

Cone was a Met, a Blue Jay, and a Royal (twice). He's been a hired gun
his entire career, and anyone who believes he owed the Yankees the
courtesy of retiring in pinstripes doesn't understand how deeply Cone
needs closure in 2001.

That's why he's reaching so high, where the air is so thin, and the
potential for disaster so great. Cone knows how hostile the Stadium
will be the first time he steps on the mound. He knows the Bronx
Bombers will be looking for first-pitch sliders, and plenty of
two-seamers after that.

The Yankees know Cone, all right. Know him, love him, and now are
committed to crushing him. No one would've felt this way if Cone chose
the Rangers or the Expos. If he failed, he could've done so in virtual
invisibility, and his place in Yankee history would've been secure.

Instead, Cone is beginning a new life within the walls of The Nation.
The Red Sox Nation. He's one of theirs now. Although, come to think of
it, only someone from the Eighties Mets and Nineties Yankees could be
this crazy.

--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

First off, thanks, Susan, for all these articles.  It's really good and 
important to hear some quotes directly from David's mouth, to try to 
understand where he's coming from.

I've been getting better... I was in lousy shape when I first heard about 
it, but I'm realizing that while it's the worst-case scenario, it's not the 
end of the world.

Part of what's helped is that I've resolved a few of my dilemmas on how I'm 
going to approach this next year.  For example, as much as I want David to 
experience a winning team, there's no way in heck I can root for the Red Sox 
(look! i can type the team's name today!-- if none of you have been at the 
forums, you wouldn't understand that) to be a successful team.  I want him 
to be terrific, I want the hitters to hit when he's pitching, and I want the 
pen to be great for him, but beyond that, I hope it's all lousy.  David's 
gotten 5 rings already, and I'm not going to cheer for his team for his sake 
unless he's actually pitching.  It doesn't matter even if the Yankees are 
somehow out of contention; I'll root for the Blue Jays, the O's, the Devil 
Rays if I have to.  I consider it a link to generations of Yankee fans 
before me, and the rivalry is inbedded within me and it's not coming out, 
David Cone or no David Cone.

I do want him to be successful, though, as successful as he can possibly be. 
  I toyed with wishing that he wouldn't make the team in ST and could sign 
with the Yankees on May 1st, but #1 I don't want to see him struggle like 
that, #2 I don't know if the Yankees would even sign him, and #3 he doesn't 
really want to be with the Yankees anyway.  But there's no way I can retreat 
to my usual position of "I hope he pitches well but gets no-decisions and 
the team ends up losing"-- I saw and ached through so many no-decisions with 
him the last 1 1/2 years, and now he needs wins and I want him to get them.

I can understand a little better why he signed with them.  The bullpen is a 
big key-- I know how frustrated I was when his good starts got blown, I 
can't imagine how frustrated he was.  Boston has had the best pitching in 
the league for several years now; beyond Pedro Martinez, all their starters 
are mediocre at best, so it's really the bullpen that's helped them achieve 
that.

Also, it's evident that if David regains some of what he used to have, he 
could pretty easily be a #2 guy.  Heck, if Pedro ever goes on the DL, David 
could be the #1 starter.  Wouldn't he love being an ace again?  He had no 
friggin' chance of anything like that with the Yanks, and he knew it.

It's still going to be an awfully hard year for me to deal with.  But no 
matter what, I still wish him success, and no matter what, I still wish his 
team utter failure.

Yours ramblingly,
Britt

By DAVID HEUSCHKEL
The Hartford Courant
January 13, 2001

When the Red Sox signed righthander David Cone to a one-year deal
Thursday, they weren't just looking to solidify their rotation. They
were looking to fill a void in the clubhouse.

Cone said leadership was a big part of discussions with general
manager Dan Duquette. The topic also came up with manager Jimy
Williams and pitching coach Joe Kerrigan.

"We all agreed and talked about a clubhouse presence, what I can do on
the team, how I can fit in," said Cone, 38. "Certainly, it was a big
factor. It was nice to hear it from Dan, Joe and Jimy that they
thought I would be a great fit in the clubhouse and be able to provide
leadership."

That's something the Red Sox have needed since veteran Mike Stanley
was released.

"It's certainly a situation you have to be careful with," Cone said.
"I think you can lose credibility early on if you come on too
strong....I'd like to think I can help in the clubhouse."

But first Cone has to prove he can be an effective starter. His
contract includes performance incentives that could pay him $4 million
to $5 million. The deal is contingent on Cone earning a roster spot.
If he's released in spring training, the Red Sox would owe him an
undisclosed termination payment.

Having pitched for the Yankees the past six seasons, Cone thought long
and hard about signing with the Red Sox. Bret Saberhagen, Cone's
former teammate in Kansas City and with the Mets, convinced his friend
to do it. Another reason was Kerrigan, considered by many one of the
best pitching coaches in baseball.

"The types of problems that I had last year, Joe Kerrigan really is a
good pitching coach for me right now," Cone said. "I look forward to
working with him, and I truly believe in my heart that he's going to
help me."

Cone, a 20-game winner in 1998, needs plenty. He was 4-14 with a 6.91
ERA last season. He blamed the worst season of his 15-year career on a
lack of preparation. His pitching mechanics also need work.

"I take a lot of the heat for not getting myself prepared the last
off-season, getting off to a really slow start," Cone said. "There
were games in there that I felt I pitched well and didn't have
anything to show for it. As ugly as the numbers were last year, there
were a number of games that could have gone either way."

Except for a three-week span in August when he made five starts and
won three of four decisions, Cone struggled last season. He had an
eight-game losing streak and went from April 29 to Aug. 9 without a
victory. He missed two weeks in September with a dislocated left
shoulder he sustained diving for a popup.

"A lot of people think that athletes toward the end of their career
are prone to be somewhat in denial," said Cone, the 1994 AL Cy Young
Award winner with Kansas City. "I'm not willing to concede anything. I
still believe that I can be a front-line starter, and I believe that I
can provide support for Pedro [Martinez]. I also believe that with the
offensive and bullpen support that I get, I can attain the level of
pitching that I've done in the past."

Assuming he makes the team, Cone would join a rotation that includes
Martinez, Hideo Nomo and Rolando Arrojo. Several pitchers would
compete for the fifth spot.

Cone has had success at Fenway Park, where he is 5-1, 3.25.

Seeing him on the mound at Yankee Stadium in a Red Sox uniform may
seem a bit surreal.

"It's both strange and exciting at the same time," Cone said. "I
understand I'm going to be subjected to some heat from Yankees fans.
I'm going to be right in the middle of what I consider the greatest
rivalry in sports. It's something that I took a hard look at. For me,
the pluses outweigh the minuses. I'm willing to deal with whatever
comes my way."

--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

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

Hi everyone!  Susan, you are absolutely right about people having the
option to delete any "unwanted" Emails...this is a list about Cone after
all, so news articles pertaining to him are of course always welcome! :)
I would like to remind everyone though that many (though not all) of these
articles can be found at the ProSportsPage link posted on the site's front
page.  That one article, "Bold move perfect for Cone" I thought was
fabulous.  I liked how it discussed the mistake the Mets made by not
giving Cone a fair chance, and how it made them out to be the real
"villian" in all of this. :)

Anyhow, it was so wonderful to finally hear David's thoughts...and the
reasons he gave for the choice he made were pretty much what I knew
already.  He felt the Yankees didn't want him, he felt they saw him as
replacable, and he wanted to be somewhere where he could get the best
opportunities possible.  I also love how he addressed the accusations of
being disloyal to the Yankees...he did stick around there when he could
have gone elsewhere for more money or whatnot because he loved being
there. (A good example would be when he signed in '99...even the Fehr's
were miffed at his "quick pen" to sign.)  But now this is his time...this
is about his career and that closure he needs to make.  The more I read
these articles and hear how psyched up he is about being envelopped in
this rivalry, and how confident and determined he sounds to just get out
there and prove himself like he never has before-- the more excited I
become.

There is also another really great article at:
http://www.globe.com/dailyglobe2/013/sports/Cone_is_making_a_pitch_for_redemption+.shtml , if you haven't read it already.  It contains a LOT of great
quotes from David--how he feels about the whole rivalry/history thing, how
he thought the Yankees would just replace him with a younger arm, the Hall
of Fame, taking heat from the Yankee fans, his clubhouse presence,
standing up for his problems last season, and of course the loyalty issue
amungst other things!  It really is a fabulous article that shows us he
still is the same Sweet David!! :)  

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

By JIM BOUTON

GREMONT, Mass. -- I can see it now. David Cone, who left the Yankees
for the Red Sox this week, rides back into the Bronx with the bad
guys, breaks up the place and swaggers out, blowing imaginary smoke
from the end of his extended index finger. Women weep, and old men
scratch their heads in admiration. "Never should have let that boy
go." Then they march to the sheriff's office and demand an
explanation.

It's simple: He's back for revenge.

I understand the impulse to recover one's honor. In 1965, the year
after I won 18 games, plus two in the World Series, I went 4-15. I
told myself it was a fluke, but I started working out early to ease my
mind. Cone, who finished last year at 4-14 with a 6.91 earned run
average, was lifting weights and running right after the Yankees won
the World Series in October.
.
That's how you erase a 4-14 season. You start thinking about 18-6.

Cone will say that kind of turnaround is a long shot and he doesn't
know what to expect, but that's just a hedge against his emotions.
He's really thinking about his comeback speech at next year's
newspaper writers' dinner.

Cone wanted to stay with the Yankees. But they didn't beg him to stay.
They didn't even offer him a good spot on the starting rotation after
all he had done for them. So David Cone did what any self-respecting
gunman would do - he joined the rival gang. As my friend Kurt Vonnegut
says, "Revenge is the most powerful story of all."

And it is a great story. Now the Red Sox have a Manhattan guy to go
with their new Bronx guy, Manny Ramirez. Cone, the savvy veteran, is
perfect for the Red Sox. Even if he only wins 10 games, his leadership
will be important in a clubhouse with guys like the "difficult" Carl
Everett and the enigmatic Ramirez. Cone will also be a big help to Tim
Wakefield, who as a knuckleball pitcher needs a kind word.

Cone was made for Fenway Park, with the Green Monster in left field
and all the maniacs sitting in the stands. Cone deals well with
adversity, and Fenway is the only ballpark in which a pitcher can hear
personal insults from out on the mound. He'll have a ball.

Cone is a warrior, and those guys don't bow out gracefully. Expecting
David Cone to retire with honors as a New York Yankee is like
expecting Spartacus to move on to gardening. So if his slider isn't
breaking or his splitter isn't diving, Cone might just ask Wakefield
how to throw the knuckler.

Jim Bouton pitched for the New York Yankees from 1962 to 1968 and is
the author of "Ball Four."
--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

Star-Ledger
01/12/01

BY DAN GRAZIANO STAR-LEDGER STAFF

David Cone disappointed the Yankees last month when he turned down
their contract offer and elected to test the free-agent market. But
yesterday, he did something that has the potential to make them really
mad.

The 38-year-old right-hander, who won four World Series rings as a
member of the Yankees, signed a one-year contract to pitch for the
Yankees' most hated rival -- the Boston Red Sox.

"He wants to beat the Yankees," Red Sox GM Dan Duquette told the
Associated Press. "Why else would he sign with the Red Sox?"

Cone did not return phone calls to his Tampa, Fla., home seeking
comment, so mere speculation must suffice in answer to that question.
One possible reason is that the Red Sox made him feel wanted. Their
contract includes only what Cone's agent Steve Fehr calls, "minimal"
guaranteed money. This means the Red Sox could release Cone during
spring training and owe him very little, but the contract does offer
incentives that could pay him as much as $5 million for the 2001
season.

And there's that perception that Cone is using a historic rivalry as a
way of getting back at the Yankees.

"To say that wouldn't be accurate," Fehr said. "I think it added a
little bit of sex appeal to the equation because the notion of
pitching against the Yankees at Fenway Park was very appealing. But
this isn't the 'Revenge of David Cone.'"

Cone made $12 million in 2000. But after his disappointing 4-14
season, the Yankees offered him a contract that included a $500,000
base salary and incentives that could push the value to $1.5 million.
That, and the fact that the Yankees never put a formal offer in
writing, convinced Cone they didn't want him anymore, so he left.

The Red Sox could be the right fit for Cone. After the
larger-than-life presence of Pedro Martinez, Boston's rotation is
filled with potholes. There are four openings and Cone's competition
will come from Rolando Arrojo, Frank Castillo, Hideo Nomo, Tomo Ohka,
Paxton Crawford, Tim Wakefield and Kent Mercker. Veterans Bret
Saberhagen, a close friend of Cone's from their days with the Mets,
and Pete Schourek also are expected in camp when pitchers are due to
report to Fort Myers, Fla., on Feb. 17. They will be trying to bounce
back from injuries.

And Cone could find a home.

"Obviously, we still think he has a lot left to offer," said Red Sox
pitching coach Joe Kerrigan, who has earned a reputation for getting
results out of pitchers such as Saberhagen, Steve Avery and Ramon
Martinez when they were thought to be past their primes. "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."

Cone made no starts and just two relief appearances for the Yankees in
the postseason, but one of those relief appearances was vital. He
retired Mike Piazza to end the fifth inning of the Yankees' critical
Game 4 victory at Shea Stadium.

After the Series was over, Cone said money wouldn't motivate him to
come back in 2001. He said he wanted a chance to prove he could still
pitch, and to end his career on a more positive note than the 2000
season provided. He also said he would consider retiring if he went to
spring training with a team and failed to make its starting rotation.

"If the chances are remote, I might consider it," Cone said at the
time. "Everyone would like to go out on their own terms, but it's not
possible for everyone."

Cone threw in Florida last week as Kerrigan and Boston manager Jimy
Williams looked on. He also drew interest from the Texas Rangers, the
Montreal Expos and the Kansas City Royals, who wanted to make him a
relief pitcher.

"It was the comfort level with the manager and the pitching coach,"
Cone's agent, Steve Fehr said. "He turned down more guaranteed money
elsewhere, but this is where he wanted to be."

Having already signed free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez to bolster
their lineup, the Red Sox, who finished 21/2 games behind the Yankees
in the American League East last year, should be a divisional rival
and potential playoff opponent for the Yankees once again.

For Cone to be a part of such an upset, he'll have to reverse his
recent trend.

He has a 184-116 record and a 3.40 ERA in his 15-year major-league
career, which has included stints with the Mets, Blue Jays, Royals and
Yankees. He was a 20-game winner as recently as 1998, and he pitched a
perfect game against the Montreal Expos at Yankee Stadium on July 18,
1999. But in 42 starts since that perfect game, Cone has a 6-19 record
and a 6.25 ERA.

--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

I say sorta, because besides the first verse I don't feel quite the amount of 
passion expressed in this song, but the first verse reminded me of what I 
first thought when I heard the news...I have calmed down a lot since then, 
though.

Do What You Have to Do
Sarah McLachlan
from "Mirrorball"

What ravages of spirit
conjured this temptuous rage
created you a monster
broken by the rules of love
and fate has led you through it
you do what you have to do
and fate has led you through it
you do what you have to do...

and I have the sense to recognize that
I don't know how to let you go
every moment marked
with apparitions of your soul
I'm ever swiftly moving
trying to escape this desire
the yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
the yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
but I have the sense to recognize

that I don't know how
to let you go
I don't know how
to let you go

a glowing ember
burning hot
burning slow
deep within I'm shaken by the violence
of existing for only you

I know I can't be with you
I do what I have to do
I know I can't be with you
I do what I have to do
and I have sense to recognize but
I don't know how to let you go
I don't know how to let you go
I don't know how to let you go

>From: "Coney's Court!" <[email protected]>
>To: "Coney's Court!" <[email protected]>
>Subject: I knew he was still the same Sweet David!
>Date: 13 Jan 2001 21:49:59 -0000
>
>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
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>
>http://www.geocities.com/coney36_nyy/
>Hey everyone!
After reading all of the press releases about Coney leaving the Yankees I do 
feel a little bit better.
David being the player that he is could never end his career knowing he 
still has what it takes to be a produtive pitcher. He had  the balls and 
heart to move on knowing the kind of heat he would get from the fans and the 
media in the tri state area.I respect him for that.
Dan duquete has done everything in his power to fire up the Yankee fans by 
his comments. Never once have you heard Coney dissing the Yankees for 
anything. I really think that the Red Sox put an incentive in thier 
contracts to have new players diss the Yankees.Obviously Coney refused and 
Duquette had to come out with his own comments.
To add Kc I'n sure you will appreciate this. My daughter who is four years 
old is so upset over this whole Coney thing. I have rasied my kids to be so 
anit-Red Sox this signing has had a huge impact on her.
everytime someone mentions Coney (in my house we are always talking about 
baseball)she puts her hands over her ears so she won't hear what we are 
talking about. She went as far as saying she is going to "X" his face out of 
every pitcure she sees of him. This is comming for a 4 yr old belive it or 
not.I have a poster framed of davids perfect game hanging in my sons room 
today my daughter comes in there and says to me "Mommy when are you gonna 
take that thing down?" i went on to tell her that Coney was a great yankee 
and had a big part in all the championships that the yankees have won in the 
past few years and the poster was staying up. I also told her we had to 
respect him  as a player and a person.I said him being a part of the Red Sox 
only means that we only have to hope he loses when he plays the yankees but 
we can hope for him to win when he plays someone else.
The odd thing having my child asking me things like this has helped me 
accept this thing a little better.

     Cesca

Good Morning All

Well it certainly has been a weekend to really take things in and absorb!!
Thanks to everyone for their point-of-views.  And, Susan, as usual, thanks
for the articles!  It was nice reading them here at work... for the second
and third times ;)  Like you, I combed all papers this weekend... couldn't
believe I even went on-line to the Boston papers.. and even their website..
which I might add like everything else associated w/that team.. is
inferior!!

Goodness,as far as our David is concerned.. I am sorry.. but I think he will
regret this decision.. To be honest, I really hope he comes back and proves
to himself that he can do it and get the wins he needs to be considered for
the HOF (which I believe he will enter wearing a Royal's cap).. but I really
don't believe he will have the love and support on that team that he had on
the Yankees.  Heck, I believe he would have had it on the Royal's and even
Texas, but Boston is such a classless organization that points the finger at
anyone but themselves when things go wrong!!  Looking at what David is
entering into is indeed, certainly a "challenge"... as he put it!  There are
a few upstanding players on that team that I hope David can associate with..
Nomar, I feel is one of them.. He certainly is no Derek of course, by I
feel, his heart is in the game!  As far as Pedro, Manny and Carl.. I hope
David stays far  away from them or at least can teach them what the word
"team" really means.. BG, I really don't know Nomo that well but if you like
him than I suppose he can't be all that bad!

I too apologize for going on and on.. seems as though this whole thing has
turned us upside down!!  I still though, don't understand this whole
"placement" thing David feels is so important!  Let me explain.. last season
David was the number two starter.. things didn't go so well, so, it was
obvious when the moved him in the rotation.. now, he wanted to leave the
Yankees b/c he felt he was replaceable and not needed.. but we DID need
him.. being called the 5th starter doesn't mean anything until ST is over..
we just don't know what kind of stuff the pitchers are going to bring to
ST!!  This is not to say they wouldn't all be great.. but who knows if Duque
gets hurt or Clemens or Andy, or maybe Mussina just doesn't have it..
unlikely but you never know.. then that would mean David would have to be
ready and his spot might have changed- this is the case on ANY team (Boston
included).  I'm sorry, David even said pride might have gotten in his way..
I don't believe he "owes" anything to anybody.. but I just have an awful gut
feeling he made the wrong move :(

Thanks for letting me share my unpopular views.. I still hope he does well.

Laura

P.S.  Chi-town.. what do you think of the White Sox getting Wells???

Hey...

Well, since at 2:30 AM I *finally* finished my tribute page, "in memory" of 
New York Yankee David Cone, I figured I'd send y'all the link, if you want 
to take a look...

http://www.geocities.com/risinglight/sdtrib.html

Now, I need to get to bed.

Yours,
Britt

With all the great articles out there, I'm not sure if this one's already been
posted... feel free to delete it if you wish...

News & Features > Features > David Cone Looks Forward to the Other Side of the
Fence 

            David Cone Looks Forward to the Other
            Side of the Fence 

            BOSTON, MA -- David Cone
            knows he will go from being
            hero to villain in New York.
            But it's a risk the former AL
            Cy Young Award winner is
            more than willing to take for a
            chance to become a part of a
            starting rotation that includes
            baseball’s most dominant
            pitcher and to prove last
            season was a fluke. 

            “The way I look at it, I’ve been
            given the opportunity to make
            the rotation and get the
            chance to pitch behind Pedro.
            You’re also talking about one
            of the greatest rivalries in all
            of sports. There’s the
            tremendous opportunity to
            see the other side of the it.” 

            Speaking with the media
            Friday for the first time since
            signing an incentive-laden
            contract with the Sox, Cone
            says it was the conversation
            he had with manager Jimy
            Williams and pitching coach Joe Kerrigan that convinced him that
Boston
            was the right place for him. 

            “It happened fairly quickly. About ten days ago, Jimy and Joe saw
me pitch
            off the mound in Florida and were apparently impressed and
surprised by
            what they saw. We then spoke several times on the phone and I felt
very
            good about their sincerity. It was a good connection and we saw
            eye-to-eye on not only baseball matters but also pitching
mechanics. 

            Cone has won 20 games twice, in 1988 and 1998, and captured the 1994
            AL Cy Young Award with Kansas City. Still, he didn’t shy away from
            talking about last year’s 4-14 record with an uncharacteristic 6.91
ERA, the
            first losing season in his 15-year career. 

            “I know I had a bad year last year. I think I’ve always been a
stand-up guy
            in the clubhouse and never made excuses. I blame myself, in part,
for not
            getting prepared coming into last season. I certainly had my share
of ugly
            games. I take the blame for last year.” 

            Cone’s battles on the mound were seemingly all uphill in 2000,
symbolized
            by an injury midway through that made getting back to form all but
            impossible. 

            “I think the severe dislocation of my left shoulder set me back
quite a bit. It
            really derailed my efforts through until the end of the season. But
I feel
            strong and healthy now. I think that’s what Jimy and Joe noticed
when they
            saw me in Tampa.” 

            According to the right-hander, going back to the Bronx for a sixth
season in
            2001 was a long shot. 

            “I felt like they (Yankees) never really made a offer and I really
felt like the
            Yankees felt I was replaceable. So I made the decision that it was
best
            that we part ways.” 

            “I know what New York is like and what the reaction is going to be
like
            when I return to Yankee Stadium,” Cone added. “It’s going to be
strange
            and exciting at the same time. I know I’ll be subject to some
heat.” 

            While Cone relishes the chance to pitch in the same rotation as
Pedro, the
            38-year-old veteran says there were other factors that went into
the Kansas
            City native’s decision to call Fenway home. 

            “My wife went to college in the Boston area at Wheaton and to be up
there
            in the Northeast factored in as well.” 

            Leadership. It’s perhaps one of the biggest potential windfalls of
Cone’s
            arrival in Boston. And it’s an intangible only veterans of many
baseball wars
            can provide. The veteran says he realizes now that General Manager
Dan
            Duquette, manager Jimy Williams and pitching coach Joe Kerrigan are
            serious about upgrading that aspect of the club. 

            “All three talked to me about clubhouse presence and the
possibility and
            that I might help with that. It’s nice to hear that it might be a
great fit in the
            clubhouse.” 

            Coming into the 2001 season, Cone is just 16 wins shy of 200 for his
            career. Cone was asked whether that milestone is on his mind, and
if he
            views that as his ticket to Cooperstown. 

            “No. But I think it’s an intriguing prospect. I think what’s most
important is
            my belief in myself that I can still start. The fact that I’m only
16 wins short
            means it’s reachable, especially with the Red Sox. Being here I
think it’s a
            very reachable plateau.” 

            Boston’s main competition for Cone’s services were the Texas
Rangers. 

            “It was difficult to say no to Texas because they were so involved
in
            negotiations for so long. In the end though, I think I really made
the right
            choice.” 

            Boston offered and Cone accepted an incentive laden one-year
contract for
            the upcoming season. 

            “Boston came up with a very creative deal with deferred money. I
know it’s
            incentive-laden. Now, I go into spring training with a chance to
prove
            myself. And that doesn’t scare me.” 

            The same may not be true in the Bronx. 

**BG bawling**

Britt!  That was sooooooooooooooooooo beautiful!  Although the "in
memory" title makes it sound like he died or something...and what a great
poem!  Hey, do you want me to link that to my new site when I put it
up?  (Yes people I am working on a new Yankee site and it should be up bny
early next week.) 

B "sniff sniff" G :)

Darn, just when I was starting to calm down you had to go and put up
that webpage. I miss his pinstripes already...for those of you with
strong stomachs, someone put a Boston hat on a photo of David:

http://images.honesty.com/imagedata/h/223/05/22230552.jpg

Guess we'd better get used to it - ugh!

--
susan peters ~ [email protected]

Thanks Susan!

Just to make my bad day at work get even worse... David in a Boston hat ;)

Someone had posted that they DID actually show him (meaning not computer
enhanced)wearing a Boston hat.. can't remember who or where it was posted
but they said he looked horrible in it!  Ha! well I guess it was the hat b/c
I can't imagine David looking horrible in anything :P

have a good night all!
Laura

That was great, Britt!  I love the poem, it is really 
wonderful!  Thank you for doing that and for sharing it 
with us all!

I do not want to see a pic of David in a Red Sox hat, it 
will be bad enough seeing it on Sports Center next 
year! :(  Although, Laura, I must agree - it would be 
hard to make him look bad! ;)

In the meantime, the way I look at it is this.  I worked 
for a division of my old company for ten years that did 
building maintenance.  Now, you would not think so, but 
the building maintenance field is very competitive and 
cutthroat, especially in New York.  So, we had people 
that occasionally would be let go and would end up 
working for competitors.  The "party line" was that when 
that happenned, we should just forget about them and not 
be friends with them anymore, because now they were the 
enemy.  What happened in reality is...we still couldn't 
stand their companies and would do anything to get a job 
from those companies, but we stayed friends with the 
people themselves.  That's the way it is here...we (or 
at least I) still hate the Red Sox, but I will always 
have a soft spot for Coney.

On that cheerful note, have a nice night everyone!

Smiles all around...:)

Ally :)