Chris Woodward, who is currently starting at 3B for the Seattle Mariners (LS/Bill Menzel)

NEW YORK--Former Met utility player, Chris Woodward, who is currently starting at 3B for the Seattle Mariners arrived at the new Yankee Stadium surely not thinking someone would be asking him about his former ballclub, the New York Mets.

From a Mets to a Mariner who has stopped at this New York port. (LS/Bill Menzel)

Yet, ‘Woody’ as he is affectionately called by his teammates since being called up to the majors in 1999 sat down in the visitors dugout and reflected on what could have been in 2006. He also shared his thoughts on the importance of the role player with any ballclub, his former manager, Willie Randolph, his bench coach, Jerry Manuel and what possibly is going wrong with the 2009 Mets. 

Danny Torres: This year marks ten years for you in the major leagues, you started your career with the Blue Jays, do you feel like a veteran?

Chris Woodward: (Laughter) Actually, I do now. After my last year with Atlanta in 2007, they kinda treated me like a veteran. It seems like yesterday, but at the same time, a lot of memories in between. It’s been a fun ride.

DT: Specifically, what are your earliest recollections of putting on that Met uniform?

CW: I was excited. When I got to Port St. Lucie, I got to witness the fans right away. Fans were already lining up in the parking lot by the hundred asking who I was and what’s my number. I felt the support right away. I loved Toronto but it isn’t as prolific as New York. In Toronto, baseball isn’t their number one sport but obviously coming to New York, I got to see it first hand. I know how important baseball is to New Yorkers.

DT: I find fans tend to remember utility players because sometimes they tend to make that team come together. When you look back at the 2006 Mets, what brought that team together to the brink of a World Series?

CW: Well, I believe we should have won the World Series. It was unfortunate that we lost Game seven. When you talk about the role players, firstly we had tremendous starters like Beltran, Delgado and Wright who carried us but as role players, we didn’t just want to fill in but try to do something to help us win. I remember Ramon Castro getting big hits. It’s the pride factor for a role player. If you’re gonna play once a week, you want to win that game. It’s important for the role player to prepare everyday as if you are playing.

DT: The 2009 Mets team are suffering, it seems that they don’t have a role player who is really dominating and taking charge, how important is it for the organization to consider that role player in the off-season?

CW: It’s really important. Sometimes, the role players tend to have up and down years. It’s tough to hit .340 every year as a role player. That’s the hard part when you’re putting a team together. Guys like Alex Cora, I think he’s a great role player. He’ll come up with hits and good defense. I think the Mets may be trying too hard. When things aren’t going too well especially in this city, it escalates and maybe too many players tend to do too much.

DT: The Mets would fireWillie Randolph and replace him with his bench coach, Jerry Manuel, talk about how your relationship was with these guys?

CW: I loved both of those guys. Willie was always honest with me and would try to get me in as much as possible. He really respected what I had to do as a player. He understood when things weren’t going right. In 2006, I didn’t hit as well as 2005. It’s kinda what a role player goes through. Jerry [ Manuel] and I got along great. It’s different when you’re a bench coach and then become manager. You can’t be buddy-buddy and you have to make important decisions. It’s tough in New York especially after having consecutive losses like the Mets did. Jerry was great at motivating me. He told me what I should be thinking about when I wasn’t playing. There were a number of times he would put me to the side and say how much he appreciated what I did. That meant a lot to me.

DT: Your last memories of Shea Stadium?

CW: I hate to say it but that last pitch to Beltran. I really thought we were gonna win.

DT: Thanks Chris. Good Luck for the remainder of the season.

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