Better news 3/23:(redsox.com)
David Cone, meanwhile, threw six more minutes of long toss and catch Thursday
and reported that he felt better than Wednesday when he had to cut short his
session. Cone has not thrown in a game since March 13 when he left with
inflammation in his right shoulder.

I really hope he's OK!! I'm keeping my fingers extra crossed for him!!
~Tara~
T<:)

(redsox.com March 24)
FORT MYERS, FL �€” David Cone threw for the fourth time in as many days and 
reported that his right shoulder continues to improve. The 38-year-old 
veteran said Saturday he felt good after playing catch for about ten minutes 
from 60 feet.

"Today was by far the best I've felt," said the right-hander before the Red 
Sox exhibition contest with Minnesota at City of Palms Park. "Every day it's 
been getting a little bit better. We're re-evaluating on a daily basis."

Cone left the pitcher's mound prior to his second inning of work against 
Minnesota on March 13 with inflammation and soreness in his right shoulder.

"Just continuing to build arm strength. It's a little early to tell where I 
am, but I am hopeful. I'm just not ready (to throw) from a mound or a game."

Cone reiterated his main focus remains getting on a schedule to pitch again �€” 
not worrying about making the club or his contract status.

"In the next couple of days I'll sit down and talk with Dan (Duquette), Jimy 
(Williams) and Joe (Kerrigan). There's not as much a sense of urgency now 
because I know I won't be with the team to start the season because I'm not 
ready."

"I've been treated very well by everyone in this organization," said Cone.

In a message dated 3/25/01 2:25:58 AM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] 
writes:

> FORT MYERS, FL �€” David Cone threw for the fourth time in as many days and 
>  reported that his right shoulder continues to improve. The 38-year-old 
>  veteran said Saturday he felt good after playing catch for about ten 
minutes 
> 
>  from 60 feet.

That's really good. I hope he continues to improve. He should. Just hopes he 
takes it easy. I heard after my dislocation, that it'll take time for the 
ligaments around the shoulder joint to go back to the way it was, and my aunt 
who also dislocated her shoulder when she was younger, says that it still 
isnt' the same, thirty years later. I'm hopeful that Coney will get his stuff 
back. The way he pitches.. he'll get back there. I know it. 

Kris

I just saw a clip of David on ESPN. He was doing some easy tossing,
laughing and seemed not to be in any discomfort.

The voiceover said he'd been receiving a mix of eastern and western
treatment that included acupuncture. They also said he didn't expect
to be on the opening day roster.
susan peters ~ [email protected]

Red Sox Notebook/by Michael Silverman
Sunday, March 25, 2001
http://wwww.bostonherald.com/sport/baseball/snotes03252001.htm 

FORT MYERS - Red Sox right-hander David Cone has received a cortisone
shot and acupuncture in his sore right shoulder, and yesterday the
veteran pitcher said he is starting to see results.

Another flat-ground throwing session went well, said Cone, and he is
holding hope he can join the club sometime this season.

``I'm making progress, slow but steady,'' said Cone, 38. ``I feel no
rush because obviously I'm not going to be on the Opening Day roster,
but my hope is that in the next two weeks I'll be ready to go off the
mound.''

The Red Sox face a monetary decision soon with Cone. If they release
him prior to Opening Day, they will owe him just $250,000. If they
keep him in extended spring training and/or put him on the disabled
list, they must pay him $1 million.

It's a $750,000 question, and Cone and general manager Dan Duquette
said they will meet in the next couple of days to talk about it.


susan peters ~ [email protected]

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

Hello everyone!  Here are a couple tidbits I found about Cone's current
status...the fist is from redsox.com's March 27th notebook, and the other
is from the Boston Herald's Red Sox notebook, March 28...

FORT MYERS, FL -- David Cone acknowledged Tuesday that he will most likely
spend time in extended spring training with the Red Sox to rehabilitate
his right shoulder.

"I think that's (extended spring training) is the place for me right now,"
said the veteran right-hander. Cone is attempting to find a spot on the
staff after coming out of a game March 13 with inflammation in his right
pitching shoulder. "If nothing else, I can stay down here (Fort Myers) and
keep 'Sabes' (Bret Saberhagen) company."

Cone said he's not concerned that his contractual obligations with the Red
Sox could play a role in whether the club decides to keep him in extended
training camp beyond April 1.

"I haven't received any official word that I won't (be with the team),"
Cone said Tuesday morning in Fort Myers. "The coaches have been very
supportive and helpful as I work my way through this.

"A week ago I was pretty down," continued Cone. "But I've really made some
strides and...feel better and stronger everyday. I am still very hopeful
(to stay with the Red Sox)."

Cone, who threw again Tuesday, says he will be increasing his long-tossing
distance to 90 feet and then 120 feet before working off a mound. The
sessions, designed to build arm and shoulder strength, last ten minutes at
a time.

****

Ailing David Cone is not expected to throw off a mound for another 10-14
days due to continued discomfort in his right shoulder. The veteran
pitcher has received some assurances from the coaching staff that he won't
be released by Opening Day, when his $1 million base salary kicks in. If
the Sox release him before the end of the week, they will only be
responsible for $250,000. The $1 million Opening Day bonus is now out of
reach.

``I haven't received any official word but I'm still hopeful things can
work out here,'' Cone said. ``The coaching staff has been very supportive.
I really can't ask for any more support than I've received.''

Keep good thoughts...:)

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

In a message dated 3/28/01 11:34:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
[email protected] writes:

> Keep good thoughts...:)

Them Red Sox are good people.. just their fans suck. =) I'm glad that 
Coney'll be taking extra time in Spring Training. These shoulder things ARE 
sooooo annoying. He'll be back in no time.. my gym teacher told me to get a 
bit rehabilitated, but once I hit 90%, to like fly. That's what I would say 
to Coney. 

Kris

In case you missed this:

Everett Keeps Sox On Edge 
By PAUL DOYLE
The Hartford Courant 
March 30, 2001 

FORT MYERS, Fla. - When they converged on Florida six
week ago, the Red Sox were bubbling with optimism.
Players told anyone who would listen that they were a
happy, healthy family.

As they left the state Thursday, they were mired in chaos.
Two stars (Nomar Garciaparra and Manny Ramirez) were left
behind with injuries while a third (Carl Everett) was exhibiting
such erratic behavior that he required a meeting with team
officials. 

No wonder former Yankee David Cone has viewed the
happenings in Fort Myers with a sense of bemusement.
Cone has played on both New York teams, yet he says he
has never witnessed such a circus atmosphere. 

"They say the Bronx Zoo is bad, but this place takes the
[expletive] cake," Cone said as he wandered through the
clubhouse Wednesday morning. 

And as word spread that the team suspended and fined
Everett on Thursday, Cone couldn't help but smirk. 

"Wouldn't want to be Jimy [Williams] today, huh?" Cone
said. 

susan peters ~ [email protected]

David was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to 3/22.
susan peters ~ [email protected]

By doing that (putting him on the DL) they must feel they are really going
to rely on afterall.

Happy opening day to one and all!!  It's freezing in Chicago..

I have my VCR set for the Yankee game.. would love to hear from anyone who
is actually going to be there!!

Have a great day!
Laura

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

Hi everyone!  I have recently made an IRC chatroom for all of us to meet
in and chat "live"!  The channel is called #ConeysCourt of course, on
server irc.eskimo.com.  You can get there using mIRC, and if you don't
have mIRC, you can download it from www.mirc.com for free!  My IRC name is
"Coney," and those others of you who visit the room feel free to share
your nicknames as well!  We have fun in there, don't we? ;)  Hope to see
more of you there soon!

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

*YAY*

it has been fun lately.. maybe cuz baseball has finally started again!!

my nickname is  'coneydog'

hope to chat with more of you soon!

Have a great day!
Laura

Since we're all just ACHING for any kind of news; not much, but 
something...(4/7/2001)

Update on injured pitchers: In Fort Myers, Fla., Hipolito Pichardo threw 25 
pitches off the mound and David Cone played long toss for 15 minutes. Bret 
Saberhagen, hoping to return to the Red Sox this month, is scheduled to pitch 
a game Sunday in Sarasota.

From the Sporting News:

RHP David Cone (right shoulder): Slowly progressing in extended
spring training, he may begin pitching in minor-league games some time
next month.
susan peters ~ [email protected]

Hey all

so much for seeing him next month in KC... I was going to make a special
road trip for that one!

His injury must be pretty severe if he only "maybe" pitching games in the
minor leagues next month!

Well on a bright note (if there is one) those of you lucky NY'ers going to
see the Boston game later this week won't have to worry about him getting
booed... since he won't be around :(

Have a great day
Laura

I was doing a websearch on some other totally unrelated topic, and this 
article came up in the process.... I don't know if it was sent before --so 
many articles are similar to it --but I thought you guys would like it, if 
you haven't read it.... you can just delete it if you've read it already.

Monday, July 19, 1999

Man in the News: Cone defines 1990s Yankees

By RONALD BLUM -- Associated Press
 NEW YORK -- He's glib, he's hip and now he's perfect. 
 He's a medical marvel, and at 36, the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game 
since Cy Young in 1904. 
 David Cone may be the defining face of this decade's New York Yankees, too. 
 "He's the type of guy everyone says, "When is his arm going to fall off?' " 
Derek Jeter said following Cone's perfect game Sunday against Montreal. "They 
keep doubting him, but he keeps proving them wrong." 
 David Brian Cone overcame an aneurysm in his pitching arm and a bone spur in 
his shoulder to be part of two World Series champions and to pitch in two 
more All-Star games. 
 The Kansas City, Mo., native has been a New Yorker for some time now, living 
in the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan, unlike most of his teammates, 
who prefer the quiet of the suburbs. 
 A month ago, a taxi hit his car while he was driving to the ballpark; he 
still made batting practice on time. 
 Nothing seems to faze him. Whenever there's a stressful moment, he's the 
player teammates turn to for guidance and stability. He's a union leader, 
mentioned as a possible successor to Donald Fehr, and a clubhouse leader, 
too. 
 "He's definitely the guy on the team we all look to," Chili Davis said. 
 Last year, the right-hander became a 20-game winner for the first time in a 
decade, the longest gap in baseball history between 20-win seasons, and now 
he's 10-4 in 18 starts with a 2.65 ERA, second in the American League. A 
five-time All-Star and 1994 AL Cy Young Award winner, Cone is 178-97 in his 
career with a 3.14 ERA and three Series title. 
 Still probably short of Hall of Fame numbers, but his worth goes beyond 
stats. It's his grit. 
 "He leaves his heart on the mound every time he goes out there," Chuck 
Knoblauch said. 
 Even on off day, Cone manages to win or at least keep it close. 
 "Think about what he's been through, with the surgeries and the aneurysm," 
catcher Joe Girardi said. "You look at a handful of players in each sport and 
say that they get the most possible out of their ability, David Cone is one 
of those players. Physically and mentally, he's a special player." 
 Following last year's World Series sweep of San Diego, the Yankees weren't 
sure whether to re-sign Cone, even after he went 20-7. Finally, on Nov. 11, 
he haggled out an $8 million, one-year contract that gives him the chance to 
earn an additional $100,000 for each start from 17 through 31. 
 New York had confidence in his heart, if not his arm. 
 "The questions are valid if you look at the MRIs and the X-rays," Cone said 
Sunday. "The MRI and the X-rays only show so much. Doctors only tell half the 
story." 
 On May 10, 1996, after missing a start for the first time in nine years, 
Cone was diagnosed with the aneurysm near his right armpit, an illness some 
thought might be life threatening. Doctors took a one-inch vein from his left 
thigh and used it to repair two arteries in his right shoulder. 
 Less than four months later, he made a most amazing return, pitching seven 
no-hit innings at Oakland before manager Joe Torre and pitching coach Mel 
Stottlemyre decided 85 pitches were enough. 
 "If Joe was going to leave the decision to me, I'm going back out there and 
throw caution to the wind," Cone said at the time. "I think Mel and Joe did 
the right thing, trying to protect me." 
 With the Yankees down 2-0 to Atlanta, he turned around the World Series by 
winning Game 3. He went 12-6 in '97 but by October, when Cleveland battered 
him in a playoff start, it was clear he needed another operation. 
 After an arthroscopic surgery cleaned up the shoulder that December, the 
Yankees babied him in the spring of 1998. Turned out, the best of his career 
was still to come. 
 "There's more to pitching than medical history," he said.

From the Sporting News:

David Cone (right shoulder): Slowly progressing in extended spring
training, he just threw off the mound for the first time on April 10.
He may begin pitching in minor-league games some time next month. 
susan peters ~ [email protected]

Penny... great article.. it's always worth a second read ;)  Plus I love
rehashing those wonderful days after the perfecto.. when things were right
in the world and David was weaing the beautiful pinstripes. (sigh.. ok
enough of the dramatics) :)

Susan... wow! next month??  Gosh!  That's so long from now.. I still wonder
what the extent of this injury is?  I know it's his shoulder.. but what of
it?  The article says he is slowly progressing. I really hope the best for
him :)

After reading the article Pen posted... you can't help but believe he can
come back from this injury!!  If anyone could do it, I really feel he can :)
:)

Have a great night all!!
Laura

"They 
> keep doubting him, but he keeps proving them wrong."
 
I think that says it all right there...I have been
saying that myself for sooo long....

"He leaves his heart on the mound every time he
> goes out there," Chuck 
> Knoblauch said. 
 
Dengit...I know I've read that before, but it always
makes my eyes tear up...:~)  It really is the truth...

Penny, thanks for sharing that article...it's always a
pleasure to read such great things about Sweet
David...:)

Also Susan, thanks for the tidbit, and Laura, yeah,
the injury has me pretty worried too.  I just hope
he's okay.  Maybe they're just making him take it nice
and slow so they can make sure he's healing properly
and not doing any further damage...I do long to see
him back on the mound soon...for me baseball season
hasn't quite started yet without him...<:(

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

By Michael Kay - This one's for you Laura ;-)

Hit & Run
David Cone signed with the one the one team that erases much of the
goodwill he engendered in his years with the Yankees. Anyone but the
Red Sox, and Cone would have returned to Yankee Stadium as a
conquering hero. Now...?

Imagine if Cone beats the Yankees in a big game and costs them a
chance to advance. He would forever be hated in New York. And that's
somewhat sad because he had been one of the true champions in that
clubhouse since 1995.

It's strange that someone with Cone's confidence would turn down the
Yankees' offer to be the No. 5 starter. He has explained he did not
want such a limited role. But let's be honest, if David returned to
form, he would have moved up in the pecking order and assumed the spot
he earned in the rotation.

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

It's odd to hear Kay talking like this. He repeatedly said on his show
that David wasn't really made an offer by the Yankees. He had Brian
Cashman on the phone on his show and Brian said it was a mutually
agreed upon separation, which indeed confirms that the Yanks didn't
want David back. Kay is now contradicting what he'd been saying in the
past.


susan peters ~ [email protected]