Cone Struggles in Mexico City Cone Struggles in Mexico City
March 15, 2003-- David Cone and the rest of the Mets traveled across the border to face off against the LA Dodgers in what they call the "Serie de Primavera" in Mexico City, Mexico. There was some controversy surrounding this match as there was friction between the two teams last week when Dodger pitcher Guillermo Mota hit Mets' catcher Mike Piazza with a pitch. However the two teams, after being forewarned by baseball officials, put their differences behind them and worked out a slugfest for the fans who came to see them. The Mets ended up victorious in the 16-11 11-inning battle. Unfortunately Cone did not have the best outing, as he gave up six runs and six hits while walking two and striking out four batters. Cone came into the game in the sixth, and started off well as he had yet another perfect inning. After that though, it all went downhill. After loading the bases he gave up a 3-run double to Ching-Feng Chen, and later a RBI triple to Terry Shumpert, whom he hit earlier with a curveball. Cone only went for 2 1/3 innings before he was relieved by Graeme Lloyd in the eighth. Mets' manager Art Howe didn't seem too concerned with Cone's outing, as many of the pitchers got knocked around at the Estadio Foro Sol. With Pedro Astacio starting the regular season on the disabled list, Cone still has a favorable chance of making the Mets team. Visit the Mets' clubhouse on MLB.com!
Two More Perfect Innings for Cone
March 10,
2003-- David Cone made his second Spring training appearance for the Mets yesterday as they hosted the LA Dodgers at their Thomas J. White Stadium in Port St. Lucie, FL. Cone took over for Steve Trachsel in the fifth and swept through Dodgers Wilson Alvarez, Calvin Murray, and Quilvio Veras. Then in the sixth, he retired Shawn Green, Fred McGriff, and Brian Jordan. After getting Green to pop out, McGriff hit a grounder towards Mo Vaughn and he had to flip the ball to Cone who was waiting at the bag. Cone threw 19 pitches in all, 12 for strikes and again threw a fastball at about 88 mph. He received yet another standing ovation from excited fans, and even though Cone feels good and hopeful about how his spring is going so far, he is not taking anything for granted. His next appearance could come about this weekend when the Mets play the Dodgers in Mexico City, and he could then pitch three innings.
March 05,
2003-- A little over a month ago David Cone was on the edge of official retirement, but now as he has been working out with the New York Mets in Spring Training down in Port St. Lucie, FL, making yet another comeback doesn't seem like such a far-fetched dream after all. After spending the first couple of weeks throwing batting practice off of the mound and working with Mets' manager Art Howe in the bullpen, he made his bright-orange-#16 labled-Mets-Spring-Training-jersey debut against the Florida Marlins. Howe didn't want to push Cone too far so he only pitched one inning, but it was a good, successful inning as he retired the side in 1-2-3 fashion. He first got Al Martin to ground out with a splitter, then proceeded to fly out Gerald Williams and Chad Allen on 3-1 fastballs. Cone admitted he was nervous before he went out to the mound, but undoubtedly felt much better after he walked off to a standing ovation from loyal Mets' followers who travelled to the Marlins' Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. Cone's comeback has just begun, and many consider him the man to beat for that fifth spot in the rotation. If Cone were to win that spot he wouldn't be needed until April 6th, so he could continue to work out in Florida until needed then at Shea against the Expos. Cone threw 15 pitches, 7 of which were strikes, and had a fastball of 88 mph.
February 13,
2003-- Towards the end of January, David Cone was seriously prepared to announce a formal retirement by Spring Training time this year. The 40-year old pitcher did not perform last year, but remained connected with the sport in other ways, such as broadcasting for the Yankees Entertainment Sports Network (YES) and sitting on the board of the Yankee Foundation. Just a few weeks ago he was pondering continuing the YES career as well as assisting Commissioner Bud Selig on creating new, exciting ways to market the game of baseball. However within the last week or so, some different news concerning Cone's career arose to the sports world. Mets' pitchers John Franco and Al Leiter were making noise about inviting Cone to the Mets' Spring Training camp, and offering the idea that he could compete for the team's 5th spot in the starting rotation. Fred Wilpon, the owner of the Mets, seemed to not be so sure on the idea, as he was quoted stating, "If he announced that he was going to pitch this year, I don't know if our guys would want to do something or not...They'd have to send him to the minor league camp and see how he felt. I don't have any indication of us doing that." As of today it seems the team is doing exactly that, as Cone signed a minor league contract with the Mets and is supposed to arrive in Port St. Lucie on Friday. He will be competing against Mike Bacsik, Aaron Heilman, and Jason Middlebrook for a shot at the 5th spot in the rotation. The younger pitchers may have age on their side, but Cone has not only experience, but a no-lose salary situation that speaks very well to team management. If Cone does make the roster, his salary is expected to be worth less than $1 million. As all of this seems so sudden and exciting, true David Cone fans know this is most like him. Just a few weeks ago he was saying, "My gut feeling is that I'll probably retire at this point." However now, we hear him exclaim, "I'm excited about the opportunity...I had a lot of good years at Shea Stadium with the Mets and I'm ready to try and help this club anyway I can."
August 22,
2002-- After not signing a contract with the Yankees, Mets, or Red Sox, David Cone found himself in the bleachers for Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, sitting amungst the fans that once cheered him on during his tenure in the Bronx. Affectionately called the "Bleacher Creatures," these fans embraced Cone as one of their own as they taught him the various cheers and chants they shout out during the games. With all the charisma and pride Cone carried with him everytime he went to the Stadium and entered the stands, it was no wonder the YES Network wanted to bring him into their world. His history, popularity with the media, and eloquent speech are surely what enticed YES, and on May 23rd it was announced that Cone would join the YES Network as a sports analyst. He has worked on various minor league games, and also has participated in a few Yankee games alongside Michael Kay. Cone has also kept himself busy with various charity events, representing YES in an ongoing battle with Cablevision, autograph signings, a little golf, and overseeing Jack Willie's, a restaurant he co-owns with Yankees' pitching guru Billy Connors. Refusing to officially retire, he has also been tossing the ball a bit and working out, hoping he may still get one last shot with the Yankees, even if it's just for one game in the World Series. Click here to read David's latest article on YES!
� ������October 6,
2001--� Tonight was Cal Ripken Jr's final night of baseball, and David Cone
expressed his excitement earlier in the week about being the starting pitcher in this
game, stating he would do everything to be ready for it.� Cone was plenty prepared
for this game with all its emotion and drama, two elements that fuel his deeply burning
fire.� For this wasn't just Ripken's last major league game, but it was also the end
of the 2001 season for Cone, who hasn't quite decided if he will return next year. �
So he undoubtedly put all of that big heart of his into this game, and it shined
brilliantly as he went for 8 strong innings, giving up only 3 hits and one unearned run
while walking 2 and striking out 7.� That lone unearned run came in the first inning,
after Raines Jr. walked, stole second, and made it to third on a throwing error by Oliver.
� Raines then scored on a sacrifice fly hit by Conine.� Cone soared like a proud
eagle up until the eighth when he gave up two singles and a walk to load the bases, but he
escaped without any scars as he struck out Raines Jr and got Raines Sr to ground out and
end the inning.� Urbina then relieved Cone in the 9th and held Baltimore to their
sole run.� Boston's bats woke up for this game as they scattered five runs over their
9 innings, including homeruns from Bichette and Offerman.� Cone received the win in
the 5-1 victory as his 2001 season record ends at 9-7 with an ERA of 4.31. �� � Cone Pitches 1-2-3 Inning 
Cone Returns to Shea: Mets Sign David to Minor League Contract 
Cone pursues broadcasting career with YES 
� Cone ends
season with a bang!���
�����