10-13-2005, 04:03 AM
Dear Keyser,
Last winter, I wrote to you about our plans for the Mets. Now
that our season is over, I want to follow up with a review of
our 2005 season, and our goals for 2006. But before we talk
baseball, I want to thank you for your support of the Mets this
year, including the best home attendance total since 1989. Your
loyalty and commitment gives our ownership, staff and players
the inspiration to strive for even more in 2006 and beyond.
We are pleased with the progress the team made this year.
Pleased, but not by any means satisfied. I wrote to you this
winter that I would settle for nothing less than a championship,
and that remains the standard for success. I believe that we
have made great strides toward our goal, and have shown flashes
of tremendous potential - but I am also the first to admit that
there is still work to be done.
Our lineup has a combination of speed and power that makes us
dangerous - we were second in all of baseball with 153 stolen
bases and in the top half with 175 home runs. Our starting
pitchers, particularly the front of the rotation, performed
well, and when Kris Benson and Steve Trachsel were both healthy,
we found ourselves with an abundance of quality starters. Our
bullpen pitched well at times, but we had difficulty closing out
games toward the end of the season. Overall, our pitching staff
was one of our strengths, finishing third in the League and
eighth in MLB with a team ERA of 3.76. However, we have said
that our team will be built on pitching and defense, and the
gloves did not support the arms well enough this year. As a team
we made 106 errors, which permitted 49 unearned runs to score.
These figures ranked us in the lower half of all clubs. We will
certainly be working to correct these and other areas needing
improvement in the coming months.
The Mets finished the 2005 season with our highest win total,
and highest standing in the division, since the World Series
year of 2000. The wins and losses alone, however, do not tell
a complete story. There was a tangible change in the atmosphere
at Shea Stadium, with a new sense of enthusiasm and belief that
extends beyond just the fans. Our players, having briefly tasted
again how sweet it is to be in playoff contention, are hungrier
than ever to get to the post-season next year. Our core group of
young players and new acquisitions joined our veterans to
provide our fans with countless memories as we fought late into
the season for a playoff spot. Here are just a few of the
reasons to look back on 2005 with pride and toward the future
with optimism:
++++++++++++++++++++
The "Kiddie Corps."
++++++++++++++++++++
A group of youngsters from our minor league system made a
tremendous impact on the 2005 season. They gave our team energy,
with an obvious love of the game and youthful bravado that had
the whole city cheering them on. A few in particular stand out:
- The 2005 Mets were the first team in MLB history to have both
the starting 3B and SS be 22 years old or younger and play 150
games or more. You cannot say enough good things about, David
Wright. Only 22 years old and in his first full season, he
finished either first or second on the team in virtually every
offensive category: games (160), runs (99), hits (176),
doubles (42), home runs (27), RBI (102), total bases (301),
walks (72), stolen bases (17), on-base percentage (.388),
slugging percentage (.523), and batting average (.306).
Impressive as they are, though, those numbers, again, do not
tell the whole story. He also provided the team with character,
hustle, heart, and a leadership that belies his age. In
addition, his no-holds-barred pursuit of foul balls gained
him a cult following, and we became almost accustomed to his
penchant for the spectacular (Who can ever forget his
over-the-shoulder, diving, barehanded catch in San Diego?).
While he made several spectacular plays, David muffed too many
balls this year; he would be the first to tell you he is not
happy with his error total of 24. However, with his
extraordinary work ethic, we are confident that David will
improve in that area next season. It will be a joy to continue
to watch one of the game's top young talents continue to blossom
for the Mets.
- There is, perhaps, no more exciting player in baseball to
watch than Jose Reyes. He attacks the game with abandon and
can energize a crowd with one thrilling race around the bases.
Having played a full season, he has put to rest any questions
about the leg injuries of the past and showed us all how speed
can truly change the game. His 60 stolen bases are the
second-highest single-season total in Mets history, as are his
17 triples. To get the most of his speed, however, Jose must
get on base more often. His on-base percentage of .300 is too
low for a premium lead-off hitter. On defense, his range,
quickness and arm-strength make him one of the best young
shortstops in the game.
- Aaron Heilman and Jae Seo re-established themselves as
promising young pitchers this season. Having heard about their
prospect status for so long, we tend to forget that they are
still young pitchers by MLB standards. At 26, Heilman posted
the lowest ERA (0.68) in the majors among relievers with
30-or-more innings after the All-Star break. Aaron was
particularly effective in front of the home crowd. He went 4-1
with a 1.62 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 61.0 innings at Shea.
However, Heilman's breakthrough performance actually came as a
starter when he hurled the 23rd complete-game one-hitter in
franchise history on April 15th vs. Florida in a 4-0 victory.
Seo, 27, developed a devastating curveball and splitter this
season to go along with his outstanding fastball/change-up
combination. Jae won six consecutive decisions from May through
September and was 8-2 overall with a miniscule 2.59 ERA. Seo's
brilliance allowed the Mets to go 11-3 in his 14 starts.
- When Mike Piazza broke his hand in August, 24-year-old Mike
Jacobs was called up as an emergency back-up; he promptly made
history. "Jake" became the first player ever to hit four home
runs in his first four games, including a pinch-hit home run in
his first big league at-bat that put him on the map. And though
it would have been impossible to keep up that kind of
production, he continued to impress. He went on another power
surge at the end of the year to finish with 11 total home runs
and a batting average of .310 in 100 at-bats. While Jacobs may
have been a bit of an unknown to those outside the Mets, he has
been on the organization's radar for years: this year he won his
second Sterling Award as the top position player in our minor
league system.
+++++++++++++++
The New Faces.
+++++++++++++++
When we acquired Pedro Martinez, and then Carlos Beltran,
the identity of the Mets changed overnight. Those two players
made us serious contenders, not only on the field, but also
in the free agent and trade markets. We will continue to see
the benefits of those signings for years.
- What can you say about Pedro? He is one of the greatest
pitchers of all time, and he injected our team with pride
and energy, both on the mound and in the clubhouse. He has
the ability to light up a room with his personality, and to
carry a team with his talent. Each time Pedro pitched for us,
it was more than a game. It was an event. He responded to the
challenge, and turned in one of his finest overall seasons in
years. He gave us a chance to win in every time out. He tossed
four complete games, and piled up 217 innings. Pedro finished
the year with 15 wins, a 2.82 ERA (fourth lowest in all of
baseball among starters), an opponents' batting average of .204
(second lowest in MLB) and 208 strikeouts (tied for fifth-most
in baseball). He showed us that his brilliant Hall of Fame
career is still going strong, and that we are in store for
much more from him in the coming years.
- Coming into this season, expectations were set perhaps
unreasonably high for Carlos Beltran - in part because of his
salary, and in part because he hit .435 with eight home runs
in 12 postseason games last year. He was viewed as a savior
to the offense, and that expectation is unfair to any player.
Carlos remains a special player ... one who can change a game
with speed, power or defense. In addition, at 28, he is still
a young man and now has under his belt a full year on a new team
in a new city. We are all tremendously proud of the effort he
gave and the way he handled himself this season, and recognize
that he played through pain for most of the year - first,
playing with a strained quadriceps, and then with a facial
fracture after the horrific collision with Mike Cameron. Even
so, he finished the year with respectable numbers, hitting .266
with 16 home runs, and 34 doubles, while scoring 83 times and
driving in 78. As I said, I think expectations were too high for
Carlos before the year, and right now, they may be too low. Next
season I am confident we will all see his true abilities shine
through.
+++++++++++++++++++
Valuable Veterans.
+++++++++++++++++++
Cliff Floyd and Tom Glavine enjoyed resurgent seasons in 2005.
- The chants of "MVP" that filled Shea when Cliff stepped into
the batter's box illustrated his capability when healthy for a
whole year. He was a leader on this team, nurturing some of our
younger players and coming up with clutch hits to help us win
ballgames. Cliff has heard the word "potential" used all too
often, as injuries have robbed him of years of production. He
has a fiery desire to win, and seems to respond best when the
spotlight is on him - a trait that is invaluable on a stage
like New York. Cliff's big bat slugged a career-best 34 home
runs and drove in 98, and was a consistent force in the middle
of our lineup. In addition, he made more than one highlight reel
with his defense in left field and led the National League with
15 outfield assists. Despite being a big leaguer for more than
decade, Cliff turns just 33 this winter. When he stays on the
field, we can count on him to produce.
- Tom Glavine continued to build upon his Hall of Fame
credentials. Glavine, who is closing in on 300 career wins,
became the 29th major league pitcher to win 275 or more games
with a brilliant, two-hit, 11-strikeout performance in an 11-0
victory over Colorado on September 29th. Tom relied more on his
curveball and splitter to baffle National League hitters. The
results were simply amazing. Tom posted a sparkling 2.22 ERA
in 15 starts after the All-Star break.
- I also want to acknowledge the contributions of our perennial
All-Star and future Hall of Famer, Mike Piazza. It is unclear
what the future will hold, but there is no question about Mike's
many accomplishments in a Mets uniform. Mike's arrival in 1998
turned our team around. His big bat and on-field leadership
sent us to the playoffs in 1999, and to the World Series the
following year. Mike Piazza has given us many great Mets
memories. It was a personal privilege to witness the warm
reception by our fans during our two final homestands and the
extraordinary honor of a 10-minute standing ovation during our
final game this season. An ovation like that says it all.
++++++++++++++++++++
Rookie of the Year.
++++++++++++++++++++
Willie Randolph did as much as anyone to change the direction
of the Mets this year. He is a perennial winner who helped
every member of this team believe that they had a chance to win
every time they took the field. With 83 wins, Willie finished
tied for the fourth highest win total in Mets' history for a
first-year manager. The last two MLB rookie managers to finish
with a winning record after inheriting a team that finished at
least 20 games below .500 the previous year were Mike Scioscia
(2000) and Davey Johnson (1984) - each went on to win the World
Series two years later. Willie's poised demeanor helped our
young club ride through some slumps and keep the resolve to
bounce back every time. With that being said, I also know that
Willie is not happy to be on the outside of the playoffs looking
in, and that he will do everything in his power to change that
situation by next October.
Like many Mets fans, I am a dreamer. I have always tried to
think big and reach for goals that may, to others, seem beyond
reach. However, I am also a realist who knows that dreams often
go unrealized without hard work to back them up. In baseball,
that means bolstering your strengths and addressing your
weaknesses. This off-season, I will continue to dream big dreams
for the future of the New York Mets. I can promise you that our
entire organization, with the support and resources provided by our
committed owners, will be working tirelessly to ensure that we are
doing all we can to turn those dreams into a reality.
I thank you again for believing in the Mets, and look forward
to a productive winter. I hope to see you back at Shea in a few
months.
Sincerely,
Omar Minaya
Executive Vice President & General Manager
New York Mets
Last winter, I wrote to you about our plans for the Mets. Now
that our season is over, I want to follow up with a review of
our 2005 season, and our goals for 2006. But before we talk
baseball, I want to thank you for your support of the Mets this
year, including the best home attendance total since 1989. Your
loyalty and commitment gives our ownership, staff and players
the inspiration to strive for even more in 2006 and beyond.
We are pleased with the progress the team made this year.
Pleased, but not by any means satisfied. I wrote to you this
winter that I would settle for nothing less than a championship,
and that remains the standard for success. I believe that we
have made great strides toward our goal, and have shown flashes
of tremendous potential - but I am also the first to admit that
there is still work to be done.
Our lineup has a combination of speed and power that makes us
dangerous - we were second in all of baseball with 153 stolen
bases and in the top half with 175 home runs. Our starting
pitchers, particularly the front of the rotation, performed
well, and when Kris Benson and Steve Trachsel were both healthy,
we found ourselves with an abundance of quality starters. Our
bullpen pitched well at times, but we had difficulty closing out
games toward the end of the season. Overall, our pitching staff
was one of our strengths, finishing third in the League and
eighth in MLB with a team ERA of 3.76. However, we have said
that our team will be built on pitching and defense, and the
gloves did not support the arms well enough this year. As a team
we made 106 errors, which permitted 49 unearned runs to score.
These figures ranked us in the lower half of all clubs. We will
certainly be working to correct these and other areas needing
improvement in the coming months.
The Mets finished the 2005 season with our highest win total,
and highest standing in the division, since the World Series
year of 2000. The wins and losses alone, however, do not tell
a complete story. There was a tangible change in the atmosphere
at Shea Stadium, with a new sense of enthusiasm and belief that
extends beyond just the fans. Our players, having briefly tasted
again how sweet it is to be in playoff contention, are hungrier
than ever to get to the post-season next year. Our core group of
young players and new acquisitions joined our veterans to
provide our fans with countless memories as we fought late into
the season for a playoff spot. Here are just a few of the
reasons to look back on 2005 with pride and toward the future
with optimism:
++++++++++++++++++++
The "Kiddie Corps."
++++++++++++++++++++
A group of youngsters from our minor league system made a
tremendous impact on the 2005 season. They gave our team energy,
with an obvious love of the game and youthful bravado that had
the whole city cheering them on. A few in particular stand out:
- The 2005 Mets were the first team in MLB history to have both
the starting 3B and SS be 22 years old or younger and play 150
games or more. You cannot say enough good things about, David
Wright. Only 22 years old and in his first full season, he
finished either first or second on the team in virtually every
offensive category: games (160), runs (99), hits (176),
doubles (42), home runs (27), RBI (102), total bases (301),
walks (72), stolen bases (17), on-base percentage (.388),
slugging percentage (.523), and batting average (.306).
Impressive as they are, though, those numbers, again, do not
tell the whole story. He also provided the team with character,
hustle, heart, and a leadership that belies his age. In
addition, his no-holds-barred pursuit of foul balls gained
him a cult following, and we became almost accustomed to his
penchant for the spectacular (Who can ever forget his
over-the-shoulder, diving, barehanded catch in San Diego?).
While he made several spectacular plays, David muffed too many
balls this year; he would be the first to tell you he is not
happy with his error total of 24. However, with his
extraordinary work ethic, we are confident that David will
improve in that area next season. It will be a joy to continue
to watch one of the game's top young talents continue to blossom
for the Mets.
- There is, perhaps, no more exciting player in baseball to
watch than Jose Reyes. He attacks the game with abandon and
can energize a crowd with one thrilling race around the bases.
Having played a full season, he has put to rest any questions
about the leg injuries of the past and showed us all how speed
can truly change the game. His 60 stolen bases are the
second-highest single-season total in Mets history, as are his
17 triples. To get the most of his speed, however, Jose must
get on base more often. His on-base percentage of .300 is too
low for a premium lead-off hitter. On defense, his range,
quickness and arm-strength make him one of the best young
shortstops in the game.
- Aaron Heilman and Jae Seo re-established themselves as
promising young pitchers this season. Having heard about their
prospect status for so long, we tend to forget that they are
still young pitchers by MLB standards. At 26, Heilman posted
the lowest ERA (0.68) in the majors among relievers with
30-or-more innings after the All-Star break. Aaron was
particularly effective in front of the home crowd. He went 4-1
with a 1.62 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 61.0 innings at Shea.
However, Heilman's breakthrough performance actually came as a
starter when he hurled the 23rd complete-game one-hitter in
franchise history on April 15th vs. Florida in a 4-0 victory.
Seo, 27, developed a devastating curveball and splitter this
season to go along with his outstanding fastball/change-up
combination. Jae won six consecutive decisions from May through
September and was 8-2 overall with a miniscule 2.59 ERA. Seo's
brilliance allowed the Mets to go 11-3 in his 14 starts.
- When Mike Piazza broke his hand in August, 24-year-old Mike
Jacobs was called up as an emergency back-up; he promptly made
history. "Jake" became the first player ever to hit four home
runs in his first four games, including a pinch-hit home run in
his first big league at-bat that put him on the map. And though
it would have been impossible to keep up that kind of
production, he continued to impress. He went on another power
surge at the end of the year to finish with 11 total home runs
and a batting average of .310 in 100 at-bats. While Jacobs may
have been a bit of an unknown to those outside the Mets, he has
been on the organization's radar for years: this year he won his
second Sterling Award as the top position player in our minor
league system.
+++++++++++++++
The New Faces.
+++++++++++++++
When we acquired Pedro Martinez, and then Carlos Beltran,
the identity of the Mets changed overnight. Those two players
made us serious contenders, not only on the field, but also
in the free agent and trade markets. We will continue to see
the benefits of those signings for years.
- What can you say about Pedro? He is one of the greatest
pitchers of all time, and he injected our team with pride
and energy, both on the mound and in the clubhouse. He has
the ability to light up a room with his personality, and to
carry a team with his talent. Each time Pedro pitched for us,
it was more than a game. It was an event. He responded to the
challenge, and turned in one of his finest overall seasons in
years. He gave us a chance to win in every time out. He tossed
four complete games, and piled up 217 innings. Pedro finished
the year with 15 wins, a 2.82 ERA (fourth lowest in all of
baseball among starters), an opponents' batting average of .204
(second lowest in MLB) and 208 strikeouts (tied for fifth-most
in baseball). He showed us that his brilliant Hall of Fame
career is still going strong, and that we are in store for
much more from him in the coming years.
- Coming into this season, expectations were set perhaps
unreasonably high for Carlos Beltran - in part because of his
salary, and in part because he hit .435 with eight home runs
in 12 postseason games last year. He was viewed as a savior
to the offense, and that expectation is unfair to any player.
Carlos remains a special player ... one who can change a game
with speed, power or defense. In addition, at 28, he is still
a young man and now has under his belt a full year on a new team
in a new city. We are all tremendously proud of the effort he
gave and the way he handled himself this season, and recognize
that he played through pain for most of the year - first,
playing with a strained quadriceps, and then with a facial
fracture after the horrific collision with Mike Cameron. Even
so, he finished the year with respectable numbers, hitting .266
with 16 home runs, and 34 doubles, while scoring 83 times and
driving in 78. As I said, I think expectations were too high for
Carlos before the year, and right now, they may be too low. Next
season I am confident we will all see his true abilities shine
through.
+++++++++++++++++++
Valuable Veterans.
+++++++++++++++++++
Cliff Floyd and Tom Glavine enjoyed resurgent seasons in 2005.
- The chants of "MVP" that filled Shea when Cliff stepped into
the batter's box illustrated his capability when healthy for a
whole year. He was a leader on this team, nurturing some of our
younger players and coming up with clutch hits to help us win
ballgames. Cliff has heard the word "potential" used all too
often, as injuries have robbed him of years of production. He
has a fiery desire to win, and seems to respond best when the
spotlight is on him - a trait that is invaluable on a stage
like New York. Cliff's big bat slugged a career-best 34 home
runs and drove in 98, and was a consistent force in the middle
of our lineup. In addition, he made more than one highlight reel
with his defense in left field and led the National League with
15 outfield assists. Despite being a big leaguer for more than
decade, Cliff turns just 33 this winter. When he stays on the
field, we can count on him to produce.
- Tom Glavine continued to build upon his Hall of Fame
credentials. Glavine, who is closing in on 300 career wins,
became the 29th major league pitcher to win 275 or more games
with a brilliant, two-hit, 11-strikeout performance in an 11-0
victory over Colorado on September 29th. Tom relied more on his
curveball and splitter to baffle National League hitters. The
results were simply amazing. Tom posted a sparkling 2.22 ERA
in 15 starts after the All-Star break.
- I also want to acknowledge the contributions of our perennial
All-Star and future Hall of Famer, Mike Piazza. It is unclear
what the future will hold, but there is no question about Mike's
many accomplishments in a Mets uniform. Mike's arrival in 1998
turned our team around. His big bat and on-field leadership
sent us to the playoffs in 1999, and to the World Series the
following year. Mike Piazza has given us many great Mets
memories. It was a personal privilege to witness the warm
reception by our fans during our two final homestands and the
extraordinary honor of a 10-minute standing ovation during our
final game this season. An ovation like that says it all.
++++++++++++++++++++
Rookie of the Year.
++++++++++++++++++++
Willie Randolph did as much as anyone to change the direction
of the Mets this year. He is a perennial winner who helped
every member of this team believe that they had a chance to win
every time they took the field. With 83 wins, Willie finished
tied for the fourth highest win total in Mets' history for a
first-year manager. The last two MLB rookie managers to finish
with a winning record after inheriting a team that finished at
least 20 games below .500 the previous year were Mike Scioscia
(2000) and Davey Johnson (1984) - each went on to win the World
Series two years later. Willie's poised demeanor helped our
young club ride through some slumps and keep the resolve to
bounce back every time. With that being said, I also know that
Willie is not happy to be on the outside of the playoffs looking
in, and that he will do everything in his power to change that
situation by next October.
Like many Mets fans, I am a dreamer. I have always tried to
think big and reach for goals that may, to others, seem beyond
reach. However, I am also a realist who knows that dreams often
go unrealized without hard work to back them up. In baseball,
that means bolstering your strengths and addressing your
weaknesses. This off-season, I will continue to dream big dreams
for the future of the New York Mets. I can promise you that our
entire organization, with the support and resources provided by our
committed owners, will be working tirelessly to ensure that we are
doing all we can to turn those dreams into a reality.
I thank you again for believing in the Mets, and look forward
to a productive winter. I hope to see you back at Shea in a few
months.
Sincerely,
Omar Minaya
Executive Vice President & General Manager
New York Mets