2002  SEASON

NEWS

September  29  Mets and Braves broke the ML record by using 45 players in today's season finale.

September 27  Marcos Scutaro hit his first ML home run.

September 24  Bobby Valentine won his appeal of an one game suspension.  Valentine was only fined an undisclosed amount of money.  The fine was for the beanball game against the Rockies in August.

September 21  Esix Snead hit his first ML home run.

September 20  Mets denied a published report that there is a widespread drug problem in the organization.  NY Newsday reported that there are 7 Mets who used marijuana this season.  Mark Corey and Tony Tarasco admitted they used marijuana in June, and Newsday published a photo of Grant Roberts using a bong in 1997.  The other 4 players were not named.

September 13  Mets committed a season high 6 errors in tonight's game, Mets now have 130 errors for the season.

September 11  Mets activated P. Grant Roberts and called up P. Jason Middlebrook from Norfolk.

September 3  Mets broke the NL record by losing 15 straight games at Shea.  Mets finally ended their 15 game home losing streak by winning the second game of tonight's doubleheader.

September 2  Mets called up C. Jason Phillips, OF Esix Snead, INF Ty Wigginton, P's Saturo Komiyama, Tyler Walker, and Pedro Felicano from Norfolk.

September 1  Mets lost their 14th straight game at Shea tying the NL record held by 1911 Boston Braves.  Also, Mets broke their franchise record by losing 14 games in a row at Shea.

August 31  Mets went 0-13 at Shea in August.  It is the first time in MLB's history that a NL team was winless in a month at home.

August 30  The MLBPA and the baseball owners have agreed to a 4-year collective bargaining agreement, averting the 9th work stoppage in MLB history.  It is a historic agreement because for the first time in baseball history no games were lost.

August 28  Manager Bobby Valentine and P David Weathers were both fined and suspended for their conduct during Sunday's brushback war against the Rockies.  Weathers got 3 games, Valentine got only 1, and the fines were not disclosed.  Weathers is appealing the decision.

August 25  OF Raul Gonzalez hit his first ML home run.

August 24  Mets snapped their 12 game losing streak, their longest since 1980, by winning 5-2 over the Rockies.

Mets activated 3b Edgardo Alfonzo and sent down Inf. Ty Wigginton to Norfolk.

2b Roberto Alomar hit his 200th career home run.

August 22  For the first time in the team's 41 year history, a NL team swept the season series from them.  Giants won all 6 games this season.

August 21  Mets called up Inf. Raul Gonzalez from Norfolk and sent down Marcos Scutaro to Norfolk.

August 17  Mets traded OF Mark Little to Diamondbacks for a player to be named later.

August 16  The MLBPA announced they set a strike date for August 30 if there is no agreement between the players and owners.  The big hangup is the luxury tax issue.

August 15  Mets traded P. Shawn Estes to the Reds for 2 minor leaguers and 2 players to be named later.  Estes was 4-9 with a 4.55 ERA.

P. Mike Bacsik was called up from Norfolk to replace Estes.

August 10  Mets disabled 3b Edgardo Alfonzo and called up Inf. Marcos Scutaro from Norfolk.

August 4  Mets called up Inf. Ty Wigginton and designated OF Mark Little for assignment.

August 2  Mets signed their number 1 draft pick, Scott Kazmir, to a $2.15 signing bonus.  He will report to Class A (Brooklyn) of the NY Penn League.

July 31  Mets made 2 trade deadline deals

Mets traded P. Bobby M. Jones and 2 minor leaguers to the Padres for P's Steve Reed and Jason Middlebrook.  Reed, a reliever, is 2-4, 1 sv, with a 1.98 ERA in 40 games.  Middlebrook, currently on the DL with a strained groin, is 1-3 with a 5.09 ERA in 12 games

Mets traded CF Jay Payton, P. Mark Corey, and a minor leaguer to the Rockies for P. John Thomson and OF. Mark Little.  Thomson is 7-8 with a 4.88 ERA.

Mets activated OF. Joe McEwing and demoted P. Saturo Komiyama to Norfolk.

July 26  Mets called up P. Saturo Komiyama and designated P. Bobby Jones for assignment.

Roberto Alomar collected his 2,500 hit.  Mark Guthrie has pitched 25 1/3 innings without giving up a run, the longest in the majors so far this season.

July 24  Mets and P. Al Leiter agreed on a contract extension worth $18 million dollars for two years, plus a mutual option for the third year.  Also, Leiter received a no-trade clause for the remainder of this year.  Leiter will retire as a NY Met.  There was speculation that Mets might trade Leiter before July 31 deadline or lose him as a free agent after the season, but Mets and Leiter put those rumors to rest.

July 22  Mets activated P. Steve Trachsel and sent down P. Jae Seo to Norfolk.

July 21  Mets sent down P. Mike Bacsik and called up P. Jae Seo from Norfolk.

July 19  Mets disabled Inf. Joe McEwing and brought up Inf. Marco Scutaro from Norfolk.

July 13  Mets disabled P. Grant Roberts and promoted P. Mark Corey from Norfolk.

July 2  Mets disabled P. Steve Trachsel and promoted P. Tyler Walker from Norfolk.

July 1  Mike Piazza was selected to his 10th All-Star Game.  The All-Star Game is in Milwaukee on July 9.

Mets activated P. Grant Roberts and demoted P. Saturo Komiyama to Norfolk.

June 27  Pitcher Mark Corey collapsed on a street near Shea Stadium due to a seizure.  He is under going extensive tests to determine what caused the seizure.  However, Corey admitted he used marijuana just hours before the seizure.

Mets called up P. Jaime Cerda to replace Corey.

June 19  Shawn Estes was fined $750 by MLB for throwing a pitch behind Roger Clemens in Saturday's game against the Yankees.

June 13  Mets named former Yankee great and Hitting Coach Chris Chambliss as their new Hitting Coach, replacing Dave Engle.  Chambliss served as the Yankees Hitting Coach from 1996-2000 and this year was the roving minor league Hitting Coach for the Pirates.  Chambliss has a big job ahead of him; he will try to get the hitters to hit at least their career averages.  Most of the hitters are batting 40-50 points below their career averages.  Chambliss' 2 biggest challenges will try to get Mo Vaughn and Jeromy Burnitz out of their worst slump in their career.

Mets disabled Grant Roberts and called up P. Mark Corey from Norfolk.

June 10  Mets fired Hitting Coach Dave Engle and named Tom Robson as the interim coach.  Mets will hire someone from outside of the organization as the permanent coach.  Mets are ranked near or at the bottom in all offensive categories in the NL.  Last year, Mets were ranked the same.  Mets are hitting .244 with only 46 HRS with a lineup that should produce a lot more.  Maybe a new coach will get through to the hitters.  Engle will remain with the organization in another capacity.

Mark Johnson accepted his assignment to Norfolk.

June 4  Mets designated 1b Mark Johnson for assignment and called up OF Tony Tarasco from Norfolk.  Johnson has 10 days whether to accept his demotion or to declare himself a free agent.

Mets selected LHP Scott Kazmir as the 15th overall pick in the amateur draft.  Kazmir is from Texas and attended Cypress Falls (Texas) High School.  Kazmir, a wiry lefty, throws 91-93 MPH but scouts say his fastball explodes at the plate.  

May 31  Mets activated John Valentin and demoted Ty Wigginton.

May 17  Mets turned their 9th triple play in club history in 13-4 rout of the Padres.  The triple play went around the horn; Alfonzo started it as he stepped on 3rd base for the 1st out, then he threw to Alomar at 2nd for the 2nd out, then Alomar threw to Vaughn at 1st to complete the triple play.

May 15  John Franco's surgery was a complete success.  Franco should begin light throwing in about 6 months.

Mets disabled John Valentin and promoted Inf. Ty Wigginton from Norfolk.

May 13  John Franco has decided to have the "Tommy John Surgery" to try to resume his pitching career in 2003.  Franco spoke to teammates, ex-teammates, doctors, and his family before he made his final decision.  The surgery is tomorrow in LA at 12.

Mets disabled P. Kane Davis and brought up P. Mark Corey from Norfolk.

May 9  John Franco's season is over and possibly his career too as a MRI revealed a torn ligament and tendon in his left elbow.  Franco is required to have "Tommy John Surgery" to repair his elbow if he decide to try to pitch again.  Franco hasn't made a decision yet.  Franco saved 422 games, he is the emotional leader of the Mets, and is the Team Captain.

May 7  Blue Jays claimed P. Pete Walker off waivers from Mets.

May 1  Mets had their best April in club's history, winning 16 games.

April 21  Mets activated Mo Vaughn and sent down Tony Tarasco to Norfolk.

April 18  Mets called up P Pete Walker and sent down Tyler Yates to Norfolk.

April 16  Mets placed Saturo Komiyama on the 15-Day DL due to a cut on his finger, P. Tyler Yates was called up from Norfolk.  Komiyama cut his finger while closing his garage door.

April 13  Vance Wilson hit his 1st career home run.  Edgardo Alfonzo collected his 1,000 hit.

Mets committed 5 more errors today and they made 19 errors so far this season which leads the Major Leagues.  Rey Ordonez made 3 of the errors today and now has 7 on the season.

April 10  Mets called up OF Tony Tarasco and sent down McKay Christenson.

Roberto Alomar hit his 1st home run as a Met.

April 8  Mo Vaughn was placed on the 15-Day DL with a broken hand, OF Timo Perez was called up from Norfolk.  Vaughn was hit by a pitch Thursday against the Pirates, but he stayed in the game and played Friday, but the swelling wouldn't go down and he was re-examined today and found the break.  It is a small break above the pinky and should be healed by the time the 15 days are up.

April 5  Mets traded Bruce Chen, Dicky Gonzalez, and a minor leaguer to the Expos for RP Scott Strickland and 2 minor leaguers.  Strickland was 2-6 with a 3.31 ERA and 9 saves.  Strickland will add strength and depth to the bullpen. 

April 4  Mets traded Gary Matthews Jr. to the Orioles for lhp John Bale.  Bale was 1-0 in a brief stint with the Orioles last season.  Mets added McKay Christenson to the 25-man roster and designated Andy Tracey for assignment.  Chris Latham accepted his assignment to Norfolk.

April 3  Mo Vaughn got his 1st met hit, a home run, his 300th of his career.

Mets claimed McKay Christenson off waivers from the Dodgers.  Christenson will join the Mets Thursday and another move will have to be made.

Mike Piazza was fined $3,000 for "aggressive conduct" in last week's spring training game against the Dodgers.  Piazza grabbed Guillermo Mota by the collar and yelled at him after Mota hit him with a pitch the previous inning.  It was the fourth time Piazza was hit this spring.

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