A day in the life: Mets Spring Training
We began the day with a live interview for the PIX Morning News. JJ Putz was our guest and told us about his role to "close it out in the 8th." He expressed his affinity for pizza. Sorry Suki, I didn't get an answer to "boxers or briefs?"
The team had an hour long meeting where they watched video of the last pieces of Shea going down. Then there was a music video of Citifield. It seems they were trying to impress upon the guys all the history that was made at the old stadium and bringing some momentum to Citifield. Jerry Manuel uses video a lot. After his 80 pitches in 6 minutes drill yesterday (batters must swing at all 80 pitches--going opposite field only), every monitor in the locker room had Mets "At bats" from 2008 where an opposite field led to a successful play. There is a constant push to instill the fundamentals to all his players.
On the field, the guys teamed up with infielders working together and outfielders, pitchers, etc...we noticed Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, Daniel Murphy and Fernando Martinez taking batting practice (the 80 pitches drill with machine again). It was not lost on us how Murphy seems to be with the core outfielders in all the drills. Martinez's shoulder is not ready for throwing but he got in some hits in the cage.
Taking ground balls by position were: Nick Evans and Carlos Delgado at 1st, Luis Castillo and Ramon Martinez at 2nd, Fernando Tatis and David Wright at 3rd, and Jose Reyes and Alex Cora at SS.
Catchers hit off live pitching, going opposite field only. Robinson Cancel was very consistent and looked solid. Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro are both really physically fit and better than I have seen them.
We ended the day with an Interview with the Skipper. Manuel's relaxed nature makes it so easy to do my job. His precise responses come after much thought. He takes the time to think about the question being asked and not simply answer....much appreciated on my part! He spoke about the focus he must have to go to the post season this year and also about enjoying the ride. Stay tuned for our Mets Preseason Special (air date tentatively set April 4, 12:30PM), there will be so many more good tidbits about this team that we learned from being down here.
Off to a cold NYC...Lolita
|
The Huddle is operated by WPIX-TV, New York |
|
| Search Blog
|
Comments: 1
Comprehensive recapitulation of your Friday February 20, 2009 day in New York Metropolitans camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Now, it is back to reality, the cold and snow and rain of our fair Metropolis.
Jerry Manuel is certainly pressing the matter of selfless hitting, in the theme of going the opposite way. In video and in the 80 pitches in 6 minutes drill.
Heard Jerry's address to the team was inspiring.
Lolita, fortunate you did not get a pie in the face like our friend, Kevin Burkhardt of SNY, a week ago Thursday at Duffy's Sports Bar during his Live "Mets Hot Stove Report."
Enjoyed your report on the PIX Morning News.
Daniel Murphy has truly entrenched himself as a core outfielder, along with Carlos Beltran and Ryan Church.
Jerry wants Fernando Tatis is work on his throwing after his shoulder injury late in 2008. That is why he was taking ground balls with the infielders.
Robinson Cancel played winter ball, so he should be game ready. Brian Schneider is more comfortable with his surroundings, so he should get off to a good start. Ramon Castro is a wonderful hitter and an adequate defensive catcher, but must stay healthy.
Camp seems to be progressing well. The games start on Wednesday, then twelve Mets leave for their respective countries training locations around March 1, 2009 for the much anticipated World Baseball Classic.
Great Week of reporting for the WPIX News at Ten and the WPIX Morning News.
Lolita Lopez, The Best Sports Anchor In The World's Greatest City!!!
Lets Go Mets
and
Lets Go Lolita Lopez!!!