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Mets Police Morning Laziness: a new manager and few odd Media decisions

SLACKISH REACTION:  Well, any search for Mets turns up 50000000000 articles that Luis Rojas is the new manager.

I think the Mets are attempting to walk a tightrope so they can have Rojas be at Fanfest.  They put the press release out last night and announced the press conference today, meaning their good news will be completely utterly overshadowed by Eli Manning’s retirement.

I think they should have just told the media to come by tomorrow at Fanfest and introduced Mr. Lopez to the world in the middle of that.  But whatever.

So it the beat incompetent or has everyone been asked to play along?  I see Dan Matlack has deleted his tweet about his dad.making the Mets Hall.

The original tweet said his dad had been enshrined, and there was a photo of Dan and Jon in front of Citi Field.

My guess is the beat is incompetent and this is one of the “surprises” that will get announced at Fanfest as the Mets look to make a big splash.

Speaking of Fanfest.  Our old pal @mediagoon asked for credentials and was denied.  Now this is interesting to me.

The Mets had sent out a Media Alert which is how I know JDG, Matz, Rosario and Vulgar Pete will be there.  (Why not tell fans? Or is that my role in this?)  In that Alert which was sent to @mediagoon as well it says…..

On the day of the event, the Mets will honor 2019 BBWAA cards, 2019 Mets Season Credentials and 2019 MLB Season Credentials. Additional members of the media who do not have credentials and are interested in covering the event are asked to RSVP to (METS JUNIOR EMPLOYEE’S EMAIL) by Friday, January 24 by 2 p.m. Members of the media are asked to park in Lot G off Seaver Way and enter at the Hodges VIP Entrance.

So Goon asked and was denied.  Goon tells me that the reason is that they are only credentialing people who were credentialed last year.   So Mets, why does it say that second sentence about asking to RSVP?

I think this is a junior employee making a mistake and nothing nefarious.  Clearly Goon isn’t trying to beat the Mets out of $20.  I am sharing this publicly because I know people in Flushing read the site and I am hopeful someone out there will ask the junior employee to reconsider.

At this time let me say that the Mets have always been nothing but good to me personally, even as I continue to poke at them constantly.  I did not ask for credentials to this event, and I will assume they would have granted them to me as they have never said no to me in the past.  On that front, I cannot even remember the last time I asked to be credentialed – I remember one time in Florida – and I don’t think I have ever initiated the request for Queens.

Over the years the Mets have invited me to many events, although none since the New Press Regime took over.  I tended to decline, with much thanks and appreciation, much more than I accepted.   I continue to be thankful that the Mets include me in their press release distribution most nights.

Anyway, just thought it was an interesting decline.  I don’t think it’s nefarious, just a bad call by the junior employee.

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Mets officially name Luis Rojas (that’s his name, right?) official manager officially

I don’t know what it is with me, I cannot remember this man’s name.   My brain keeps making up people.  Earlier today I had “Felipe Lopez” who I think was a basketball player.  I am not doing schtick and am not looking to be disrespectful.  It reminds me of when it took me a few months to learn to say Bonilla and not Bone-yee-uh.   Which is stupid.  Not as stupid as having him on payroll until 2035 but stupid.

Anyway, welcome to Mr. Rojas, may your team win it all while nicely dressed.

FLUSHING, N.Y., January 23, 2020 – The New York Mets today announced that they have named Luis Rojas the 23rd manager in team history, agreeing to terms on a multi-year contract.

 

“Luis has grown up with baseball in his blood, as his family is part of baseball royalty,” said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. “Luis managed many of our current players during his time in our organization. He is fully prepared for this exciting opportunity.”

 

Rojas, 38, will begin his 15th year with the Mets, including eight as a minor league manager. He spent last season as the Mets’ quality control coach. In that role, he served as a conduit between the front office and coaching staff on all issues including game preparation, strategy and analytics.

 

“I will work tirelessly to help this team win,” said Rojas. “I believe this team and coaching staff can do special things, and I look forward to working together with everyone to reach our goals.”

 

“I would like to thank Fred, Jeff, Saul and the entire ownership group for their support as we worked diligently through this process,” said Mets Executive Vice President and General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen. “Luis’ leadership, knowledge of the game as well as his ability to connect with the players create a formula for success. We are excited for Mets fans to get to know him.”

 

Previously, Rojas managed at several levels in the organization including Double-A Binghamton (2017-18), Class-A St. Lucie (2015-16), Class-A Savannah (2012-14) and Rookie-level Gulf Coast (2011). He was voted by his peers as the Best Managerial Prospect in the Florida State League in 2015 and 2016 and the Best Managerial Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2014 in Baseball America. Rojas guided Savannah to the South Atlantic League Championship in 2013 and was named the South Atlantic League Manager of the Year in 2014. He also coached with Savannah in 2010, Gulf Coast from 2008-2009 and the Dominican Mets in 2006 and 2007.

 

In addition to his experience with the Mets, Rojas managed Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League from 2015-18. This offseason, he managed the Dominican Republic in the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament.

 

Rojas is the son of Felipe Alou, who played 17 years in the big leagues and later managed for another 14 years, and the brother of Moises Alou, who played 17 years in the majors, including in 2007-2008 for the Mets. Rojas’ uncles Jesús and Matty Alou also played in the majors.

 

Luis becomes the sixth Dominican-born manager in major league history. His father became the first when he helmed the Montreal Expos from 1992-2001. He joins Manny Acta, Tony Peña, Juan Samuel and Luis Pujols as the only other mangers from Dominican heritage.

 

In addition, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Luis and Felipe are the fifth father-son duo to both serve as major league managers, joining Buddy and David Bell, Aaron and Bob Boone, George and Dick Sisler and Bob and Joel Skinner.

 

Rojas played in the Orioles, Marlins and Expos/Nationals Minor League systems from 1999-2005. He makes his home in Santo Domingo, DR with his wife, Laura, and son, Luis Felipe.

 

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Mets Police Morning Laziness: Wags makes a bet, but 86 wins ain’t gonna cut it bro

Do I know my Mets or what?  As I said yesterday morning, they would take he opportunity of knowing I was super-busy to announce things.

We have a new manager in Luis Rojas (I for the life of me cannot remember this guy’s name and have to look it up every time.)   The Mets announced some FanFest details but seem unwilling to let you know JDG, Matz, Vulgar Pete, and Rosario will be there.  They also don’t want you to know Jon Matlack has made the Mets HOF.  I guess they think they have all sorts of surprises – and I look forward to the MSM discovering the Matlack story when Jon shows up this weekend – but you read Mets Police and not those Content Farmer AAIMBR sites so you are well informed.

The only thing that DIDN’T happen as predicted was that MLB didn’t release the Spring jerseys and caps.  Maybe Nike didn’t feel like making any jerseys and everyone decided not to do it?  Nah, there’s money on the table, they will have something.

SLACKISH REACTION:  OK I seriously cannot remember the manager’s name from two paragraphs ago.   Anyway, I was pleased to learn (remember?) that he managed in the Mets org at AA.  That’s good.  The players who played for him – guys like Vulgar Pete – were very enthusiastic about him on twitter.  That’s good.

So since the guy has actually managed, and actually managed these players already makes me feel like he’s a better choice than Inexperienced Carlos Beltran was.

That said, I think my man Wags is playing high stakes poker as usual.   Rojas (remembered his name) can’t hand in 86 wins, a Cy Young and 50HRs out of Pete and a good clubhouse.  That’s standing still.  This team needs to go deeeeeeeeep into the playoffs.  I mean deeeeeeeep.   Like “we’re one play away from winning it all and now we’ve added XXXX for 2021” deep.

From the enthusiasm I saw from his AA players, hopefully these Mets will run up hill for him.

One day until Fan Fest.  Bet you wish the Mets would tell you who is coming.

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Mets announce some actual Fanfest Information!

Wow do I know my Mets or what?  I told you this morning they would announce all kinds of stuff today because I was super busy (actually STILL working now).

Anyway, there’s a video but MLB thinks you want to sit through a commercial to find out if you can bring a backpack (no).

So here’s some screen grabs and then the video – and I will tell you right now PARKING IS GONNA BE A DISASTER AND PEOPLE ARE GONNA GET MAD.  If you’re not in that first session, good luck parking.

The video mentions some pane-like events and some games and stuff.  Seems like it might be cool.  I will be home playing video games with my backpack.  Actually no joke, I am still working and I am mobile and my backpack is right here with me for real.

There is still no official word of what players but it’s (at least) JDG, Matz, Vulgar Pete and Rosario.

I suspect Jon Matlack will be around since it looks like he has been added to the Mets Hall of Fame but shhhh that’s a secret.

And I will bet some Mets Money that new manager – whatshisname…..looks it up….Luis Rojas (I had actually forgotten) will be there, although since it’s not officially announced maybe the Mets will be stubborn with this one and not have him come.

FYI I did have the opportunity to cover the Fest as “media” but I’m kinda done driving to Queens.  I do thank the Mets for the invite.