Sometimes the press box can be a dangerous place. Earlier this month in Winter Haven, a snake of unknown species sent reporters scurrying at Chain of Lakes Park during the Mets-Indians game. And tonight, I'm sitting in the front row here at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, with an ominous dent in the wall right behind my head. It's the calling card of a foul ball that smacked into that very spot, leaving a tell-tale red stitch mark. Some witty scribe even penned an epitaph right below that says, "3/23/07 NEARLY KILLED ROB PARKER."
Rob used to be a columnist at Newsday, and he's a good guy, so I'm glad he ducked in time. I hope I'm as fortunate and stay conscious through tonight's game. Anyway, here's a few in-game notes:
-- GM Omar MInaya must have been thrilled today to hear Carlos Zambrano's comments to Sports Illustrated. Zambrano is a free agent after this season and is not making much progress in contract discussions with the Cubs.
"I like the Yankees, but I don't see myself pitching at Yankee Stadium. Too many rules," Zambrano said with a laugh. "If I play in New York, it's going to be with the Mets. First of all, because I get to hit. And I love hitting."
When told about the story, Minaya smiled and said, "Who's his agent?"
-- Lastings Milledge reported no improvement with his bruised right hand but is hopeful that he can play by the end of the week.
-- Minaya said he talked to Carlos Delgado, but made no mention of when the first baseman might rejoin the team. Delgado left the Mets on Friday to be in Puerto Rico for the birth of his son, Carlos Antonio.
Comments (1)
If Omar Minaya was smart, he would respond "no comment" when a player inquires about the Mets publicly while under contract to another team. Tampering is not funny when it can cost you a draft pick, cash and or a minor league player. The Chicago Cubs have excusivity to speak to Carlos Zambrano and his agent. If the Cubs wanted to let Zambrano go, they would have non-tendered him and not signed him to the one year deal for 2007. This may come back to haunt Omar especially if Jim Hendry is ordered by the Tribune Company to dump all the nonsensical and outrageous payroll the Cubs have saddled themselves with. Ted Lilly anyone? How about Jason Marquis? There may be a firesale and I believe everyone "EXCEPT" Zambrano, Pie, Murton, Derek Lee, Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano will be available. Omar may need to acquire a player from Jim Hendry and you really don't want to make Hendry upset while he is negotiating with his own player...a player who is considered "the franchise" in Chicago. Omar, relax.