Ramirez, Ordoñez & Jackson are all smiles (Photo Lisa Luevanos)

Detroit, MI: Detroit Tiger fans attended the annual Tiger Fest at Comerica Park in Detroit.  The event gives Tiger Fans a chance to get autographs from their favorite Tiger players. The players are seated in different areas throughout the park, the fans also have the opportunity to see the club house, dugout, media room, and attend interviews with Q&A that is aired live on local radio.

Miguel Cabrera & Fan @ Tiger Fest (Photo Lisa Luevanos)

Earlier in the week the Tigers hosted a media event where Miguel Cabrera spoke with Detroit media where he stated that he was undergoing rehabilitation and counseling for alcohol use and that he feels better and happier for his family.  The Detroit Media witnessed a Miguel Cabrera that appeared genuine, honest and comfortable.  It was also announced that Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez have donated a total of $190,000.00 to the American Red Cross and the Project Medishare for Haiti, Inc.

Alex & Avila

 

The image of the late, great Thurman Munson lives on through his foundation.

NEW YORK – There are certain events that happen in our life that we can recall exactly what we were doing at the time we got the news. The assassination of JFK, the attack on America on 9-11 and more recently the death of Michael Jackson, just to name a few.

For Yankee fans, this one included, the day in 1979, when legendary New York Yankee captain Thurman Munson was killed in a airplane accident on Aug. 2. His sudden tragic death shook not only the sports world but an organization that was coming off two consecutive World Series Championships.

The team would make only one more World Series appearance two years later, losing to the Dodgers in 1981. They then would go into a playoff drought for the next 14 years. It’s hard to imagine the Yankees going that long without making the postseason had Munson been alive.

To qualify the boys had to show an improvement in their education. Photo Aris Sakellaridis

The NY Yankees got an early start to their 2010 season, with the theme of 2009, which was appropriately named HOPE.  When Yankees Special Assistant Ray Negron approached owner Hank Steinbrenner and Vice President Felix Lopez with a plan to have twelve underprivileged kids from New York and Long Island area come to Tampa and play baseball on its facilities, they both gave the thumbs up.  It was in Yogi Berra’s words, “Déjà vu all over again,” as Negron and Steinbrenner continue the Yankees way of giving back.  It’s been the staple of Hank’s dad George Steinbrenner trademark since he purchased the team in 1973, and implodes into each employee as evidenced by the team’s foundation.  To qualify the boys had to show an improvement in their education. 

Ricky Negron, Ray’s youngest son, led off the trip being the first one to arrive via a 25 hour train ride.  Ricky got his first lesson of the trip as ex-baseball player and current broadcaster Tim Mc Carver was also on board.  After Mc Carver learned that Negron’s son aspired to become a major leaguer, he responded to Ricky, “How bad do you want it?”  With those words the tone of the trip was set.

Upon arrival in Tampa, the senior Negron took Ricky straight to Steinbrenner Field, where the top high school juniors and seniors were working on their swing for the 5th Annual Power Showcase which was held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.  The freshman Ricky was introduced to Yankees Minor League Coach Jody Reed.  When Reed was told of Ricky’s goal, his response was “you gotta really want it bad.  You have to make certain sacrifices.”  Into the cage stepped Ricky under the watchful eyes of Power Showcase Coordinator Brian Domenico.  Ricky was invited to the next day’s showcase, where he shagged fly balls and got a feel of the event.

On Wednesday, the eleven other players arrived, they were immediately taken to the spring training home of the 2009 World Champion NY Yankees.  The kids were in awe of their surroundings and couldn’t wait to get started.  They stretched and ran drills under the tutelage of fitness coach Rob Malichio, who Negron recruited for the week.  Malichio’s training regimen is what shapes up pro athletes, and each youth held his own.  A quick infield and outfield workout helped work out the kinks of these lucky kids as the “Baby Boss,” Steinbrenner observed from his balcony during a break from the office. 

The next day was the same routine as juniors Herman Hernandez, Bryan Dromerhauser, Jonathan Vasquez, and Erik Kondak, took their cuts in an impressive batting practice session.  V. P. Felix Lopez appeared on the field to get acquainted with the possible future Yankees.  Jeffrey Rodriguez, Matt Duran and Andrew Sesto took in every word that Lopez spoke, as he stressed on the importance of education.  He posed for photos and answered questions from the youths.  As an extra bonus, members of the 1977 Championship team, led by Mickey Rivers, Bucky Dent, Mike Torrez and Chris Chambliss took a break from their fantasy camp duties to spend some time with the youths.  The camera crew from the show “Yankees Magazine,” captured every moment.  The group was also amused by Tampa Yankees mascot “Sultan,” who happened to be in the neighborhood.  The young boys displayed their skills by showing their glove work.  They scooped up groundballs and made crisp throws as the cameras rolled.  Before they called it a day there was a special treat.  The 2009 Championship trophy was on display on the main field as each youngster was in awe of the crown jewel.  They each posed for a photo to the patience of Tampa Security Director John Sabean who was the keeper of the trophy. 

The next day was a trip to IMG Baseball Academies, were a team was awaiting their presence thanks to IMG advisor, Kit Carlson.  After a quick warm up led by Malichio, it was play ball!  To their surprised the youngsters were shocked to be facing an ex-major league pitcher in Steve Frey.  What a show as the boys from New York held their own against the crafty lefthander.  IMG prevailed at the end, but on this day there were no losers.  Afterwards Frey spoke to the kids about how he was impressed with their approach to the game.  His inspiring words of perseverance and going after your dreams, was felt by all.

 The next day was a trip down memory lane, as Negron took the boys to the Huggins/ Stengel complex in St. Pete.  He enriched the boys on the history of the old spring training home of the Yankees.  Negron reminded them that Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig got ready for their seasons on this same field where they were getting ready to practice on.  The youngsters got the message of being on sacred grounds and were humbled by the number 430ft. sign down the right field line, which was all made possible by Director Shawn Drouin.

The trip was more than just about baseball as most of these youngsters were on their first trip away from home.  They were even lectured on the evils of drugs and steroids from Vice President of the Christopher D. Smithers Foundation Tom Croce and Yankees Minor League Team Doctor Joe Calandra, who were in town to participate in the Yankees Fantasy Camp.  The boys wouldn’t blink as they visioned every word that Croce and Calandra spoke.

A visit to future Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar’s home was priceless. Photo Aris Sakellaridis

The youths got to see Alomar’s Gold Gloves and other awards he gained in his storied career.  Alomar stressed the importance of focus and preparation in anything they strived for in life.  He then outfitted each member with his new dry-fit shirts entitled “Second 2 None,”  which will soon hit the market.

The finale came when they packed to leave for their trip back home.  Upon leaving Negron’s home, where they spent the week, their “baseball boot camp” was about to end, and on the last day they hit.  It was back to Steinbrenner Field, where they got their last licks in the indoor hitting cage.  They put on an impressive display, and for these student athletes, they go back home on this January day being a better person.  They got a taste of life’s lessons brought to them by Hank Steinbrenner, Felix Lopez and the 27th time World Champion NY Yankees.

Roberto Alomar in a previously held ceremony (Web Photo)

Nine voters left Hank Aaron off their Hall of Fame ballot. Joe DiMaggio wasn’t even elected until his third try. So, Roberto Alomar you are in good company.        

Let’s look at the record.        

An All-Star for 12 consecutive years (1990-2001), he was a defensive wizard (10 Gold Gloves) who could hit (.301 lifetime), hit with power (206 home runs), and run (474 stolen bases). Add his prowess with fielding and throwing and Alomar ranks right up there with Ryne Sandberg and Joe Morgan, both already in Cooperstown, and ahead of both Nellie Fox and Bill Mazeroski, who made it mainly for their defense.      

Some writers remembered the spitting incident, when Alomar allegedly responded to a verbal insult from umpire John Hirschbeck, or his last two seasons, when the switch-hitting Puerto Rican suddenly lost his skills after the New York Mets traded a bundle to coax him from Cleveland.       

Alomar was hardly the first Hall of Fame candidate to implode. Brooks Robinson was a mere shadow of himself during three tortuous seasons at the end of his career. Willie Mays and Warren Spahn were outright embarrassments. So were Steve Carlton and Phil Niekro.       

But they’re in Cooperstown while Alomar isn’t. Apparently, the voters didn’t pay much attention to ESPN punster Chris Berman.      

To be sure, Alomar came excruciatingly close, with only a handful of ballots separating him from first-ballot enshrinement.          

Some writers refuse to vote for anyone on the first ballot. Some are still protesting the exclusion of Pete Rose, the banned-for-life career hits king. And others – especially the ones who voted for Eric Karros and Pat Hentgen – aren’t worth retaining as members of the Baseball Writers Association of America, the group that does the voting.        

Milo Hamilton, venerable radio voice of the Houston Astros, says with some merit that broadcasters should be voters because they see the game every day.      

“Who would you rather have voting – Vin Scully, Ernie Harwell, and Milo Hamilton, or some guys who take vacations in the middle of the season and see only half the games?”          

Hamilton also decries the fact that some BBWAA voters no longer cover the game, while others are too young to remember seeing Dale Murphy, Bert Blyleven, and Lee Smith – other greats who, like Alomar, were turned away at the door by the Hall of Fame.   

The biggest problem, from this perspective, is a voting structure that provides 10 spaces on each ballot but does not eliminate ballots that contain fewer than 10 times – as the MVP voting rules dictate.         

This is not to say that writers must pick 10 candidates for Cooperstown in every election but that they should list their Top 10 preferences. Without making that change, the odds of anyone reaching the required 75 per cent are astronomical.     

Writers also need to do their homework. How many voters knew that Dale Murphy was the only man to lead a decade in total bases and not be elected? Or that Murphy was second in home runs and RBI during the ‘80s, trailing Mike Schmidt and Eddie Murray, respectively? Or that Murphy was not only the youngest man to win back-to-back MVPs but one of two, with Roger Maris, not in Cooperstown? The other seven consecutive-MVP winners are already in the gallery.           

Speaking of that 75 per cent, how about rounding off the number? Bert Blyleven had 74.2 per cent of the vote – more than 74 per cent but not quite the required 75 per cent. So now the author of 60 shutouts has to wait another year?         

Every eligible 300-game winner is enshrined, along with many pitchers who won considerably less, but Blyleven (287) and Jim Kaat (283) are consistently turned away. How about Tommy John (288) who surely would have won 300 if he had not been the first victim of the elbow ligament transplant commonly called “Tommy John surgery”?

And what are the arguments against Alomar, spitting aside? Okay, so he only led his league in one department in a single season (138 runs scored for the 1999 Cleveland Indians). But he was so consistently good, topping .320 five times and topping 40 steals four times.     

There’s no doubt he was the best second baseman in the American League, if not the majors, throughout the decade of the ‘90s. Thanks largely to his play, Alomar participated in postseason play seven times. That should count with the voters too.      

Assured that he was a lock for enshrinement, Alomar waited anxiously by the phone for word of the Jan. 6 announcement. Informed that both he and Blyleven missed by an eyelash while Andre Dawson suddenly surged past the 75 per cent cutoff, Alomar admitted disappointment.        

But the process has disappointed many others too.       

Although he’s an odds-on favorite for next year, Alomar will have to spend another year hearing his name included in a Bob Feller anecdote about Cooperstown.     

During his heyday with the Cleveland Indians, Alomar pulled into the Winter Haven parking lot one spring training morning. With only one car ahead of him, Alomar figured he had plenty of time to get ready.    

But the other car wouldn’t move. It was Feller, the ancient goodwill ambassador, exercising his penchant for schmoozing. He was talking it up with the security guard. And talking. And talking.    

Finally, Alomar honked. The indignant Feller, who hates to be rushed, demanded to know who was behind him. The security guard looked and said, “Hey, that’s Roberto Alomar!”    

Feller, not about to budge for the team’s top star, said: “You tell him that when he gets into the Hall of Fame, he can honk at me!”   

It may take a year longer than expected, but Alomar’s time is coming.

Dan Schlossberg of Fair Lawn, NJ writes about baseball for LatinoSports.com. His 35th book, The 300 Club: Last of a Breed, will be published in March by Ascend.

Guayama, PR: I arrived in Puerto Rico on Wednesday January 6, Three Kings Day. I came here to finalize construction plans and continue my research on a project that will be announced in the near future. My usual trips to Puerto Rico always involve some participation in a sporting event, program, or interview. As President and Chairman of Latino Sports and National Coordinator of the Retire 21 Campaign I am frequently asked to participate, or comment on some issue.

I thought that this trip would be different. I thought that I would be able to just deal with my other non-sports issues and concentrate on research. Just as I was enjoying Puerto Rico and all of its cultural and historical beauty on one of its most popular holidays, 3 Kings Day I was jolted when I received a text message from Danny Torres, a Latinosports.com contributor which read: “No Alomar.” Danny was referring to Roberto Alomar not being inducted into the 2010 class of inductee’s to the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame. Edgar Martinez was another Puerto Rican candidate, but many knew that Martinez would be a long shot because his primary contributions were as a Designated Hitter (DH), something new and different from the standard.

I read the text message to my Puerto Rico radio sports host, José "Bebo" Avellanet who was with me at the time. He did not believe it. I answered Danny with my text, “No Way?” Danny confirmed with his last txt to me: “Yes Way.” Avellanet still refused to believe me so he placed a call to the radio station. I saw the look on his face when it was confirmed, he looked disappointed and surprised.  I heard him say, “that is discrimination against Boricuas.”

Avellanet was the first of a growing wave of protest comments that I heard everywhere. Driving by the coast, listening to the radio and looking out into the Caribbean Sea I kept hearing a variety of comments from different commentators all surprised and angry at the results with Alomar being inducted to the HOF. I was beginning to see a Tsunami coming from the tranquil sea, a people’s Tsunami.

I confirmed the Tsunami when I reached my final destination, Guayama having stopped off in four different establishments on the way in: Mayagüez Cabo Rojo, Coamo and finally Guayama.

The word disgust would be mild to the reaction I was getting from everyone that I asked for an opinion, or from those I overheard in the conversations already in progress. I received a call from my good friend and activist, Lucky Rivera, President of Positive Work Force, a construction training and placement organizations that probably understands the Alomar vote better than most because he has had to fight to gain respect in his industry. “This is Bull Shit!” That was all Lucky had to say. Lucky is a Dean in fighting to get justice for Puerto Ricans,  Latinos and people of color in the streets of New York, especially in an area that really counts, Jobs. “Count on Positive Work Force for any action that you hear about,” was his last comment to me. I also received calls from my son in New York and several other friends all expressing thier surprise, disgust and anger.

Back in Puerto Rico the wave continued to grow as next day, January 7th, 2010 all the Puerto Rican newspapers had titles like La Primera Hora’s: ¡INSOLITO!- They Don’t Elect Alomar to the Hall Of Fame, to El Vocero’s: “LOW BLOW – BWAA Closes Door on Alomar”. The radio programs of all genres were commenting, or mentioning their strong opposition to the BWAA voting results. The fact that he did not get in by eight votes was more insulting because it demonstrated that it was not Alomar’s credentials as a baseball player that were in question, but his spitting incident with umpire John Hirschbeck back in 1996 that still had some of the writers living in the distant past of a non-baseball action. In fact I dare say that perhaps very few of those writers ever interviewed Alomar after the incident, since all that was reported was what was seen on national TV, a restrained Alomar spitting at Hirscbeck.

Robbie doing one of his defensive plays which earned him the title of "the best defensive second baseman in the game." (Photo Google Images)

We in Latino Sports went out of our way in 1996. We dodged through all of the sports headlines of Alomar spitting and went straight to the source. Though Alomar was not talking too much to the press (his non-accessibility to the press did not help), he knew Latino Sports and granted us an exclusive interview. We published our interview then and stated that we understood why Alomar did it. I don’t want to stir negativity from the past, but let me say that Hirschbeck “went there” with Alomar, he mentioned his mother (something many Latinos wil not tolerate) and he questioned his manhood, Ooops, another no-no for a Latino.  I mention this only because if you want to be fair and punish Alomar for something, then at least have both sides of the story straight. Alomar should have been given praise for restraining himself and just spitting. 

There is no argument that Alomar should be in the Hall Of Fame, his numbers speak for themselves. The argument should be, who votes and what are the criteria for voting? Should personal, non-baseball issues be measured? We all know that the Hall of Fame is not a sanctuary for saints, since there are a few in there that had committed much worst crimes to themselves, their families and society that Alomar’s spitting incident. Ken Rosenthal, a tenured sports field reporter with Major League Baseball on Fox and a voting member of the BWAA expressed it accurately, “Our membership is too bloated too riddled with voters who do not take the process seriously enough to EDUCATE themselves properly.”

I will join Lucky Rivera and many other Boricuas, Latino, and non-Latino’s in the demonstration that I am sure will take place sometime soon in a BWAA chapter near you.

In addition, I will present a motion at the next meeting of the Latino Sports Writers & Broadcasters Association (LSWBA). The motion will ask the organization to dedicate all of the 2009 LatinoMVP awards (to be given in 2010) to Roberto Alomar, because in our world, Roberto Alomar is already a member of the Latino Hall of Fame and he was a LatinMVP.

Finally, I urge all our readers to remember that in 1999/2000 we were insulted when not one Latino appeared in the MLB selection of the best 100 players in the first 100 years of baseball. In addition, there is a growing campaign to retire Roberto Clemente’s #21, a number that needs to be retired from all of baseball and now this incident with Alomar. I believe that this makes strike 3 and now it’s up to all Boricuas, Latinos and people of good conscious to come out of this baseball/political slump and bat a hit, or perhaps a home run. Respetame!

Roberto Alomar and his wife handing out gifts to children at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital., NYC (Photo:LSV Aris Sakellaridis)

Danny Torres: Opinion on Alomar and Hall of Fame

“Shocked…Denied…Snubbed? These are just a few reactionary words that appeared in numerous websites and newspapers throughout the country. Future HOF’er, Roberto Alomar Velázquez, in his first year of eligibility would have to wait another year to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

Will it happen in 2011? Absolutely!!!

Because of the overwhelming response after it was announced that Alomar only received 397 votes (73.7) and missed being able to stand along side Andre Dawson by only eight votes, many wondered…what happened? Firstly, his stats- 2,724 career hits, 474 stolen bases, 10 Gold-gloves, 12 All-Star appearances, a lifetime batting average of .300 and let’s not forget 2 World Series rings. No brainer…He’s got my vote, first ballot, hands down…

The reason he’s not in…A watery, clear substance called saliva or as we like to call it using the nonscientific term-SPIT. In 1996, Alomar became enraged with umpire John Hirschbeck and took it upon himself in spitting in the umpire’s direction. Was all forgiven between the two parties? Yes. Did this occur 14 years ago? Yes. I’m sure the BBWAA writers have heard of this biblical quote… “He who is without sin cast the first stone".

Ken Rosenthal, a senior sports journalist stated in his piece, “Our membership is too bloated too riddled with voters who do not take the process seriously enough to EDUCATE themselves properly.”

I take it a step further...of the 539 votes, how many BBWAA writers are of Latino, African-American ancestry? Would a site such as LatinoSports.com where writers go to practically every game throughout the season be considered for membership? Sign me up for the BBWAA.

Hey Robbie…you’re in 2011. Enough said…See you in Cooperstown and when you step up to the podium, don’t forget Roberto Clemente didn’t have the opportunity to speak to his family, friends and fans that memorable, historic day. Remember, he was the first native Latino inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In 2011, speak for him and every Puerto Rican who will be so very proud of your accomplishments-on the field and hopefully off the field in EDUCATING as you will be officially introduced as an inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

---------------------------------

Aris Sakellaridis: Roberto Velasquez Alomar, Second 2 None

On this Three Kings Day, 2pm came and went.  There will be no Hall of Fame induction for possibly the greatest second baseman in the history of the game.  The cry of wait till next year took the place of the absent 2pm phone call.  But don’t cry for Roberto Alomar, he’s headed back to his new home in Tampa, Florida, with his new wife Maripily and their son Jose.  For Alomar life goes on and with his .300 lifetime batting average to go with his ten Gold Gloves (most by any second baseman) lets just say the writers blew it.

At 73.7 percent of the vote Alomar just missed being inducted by only eight votes.  He should be a cinch to get into Cooperstown next year, but with these so called expertise voters, who knows?  Alomar will still have a .300 lifetime average and ten Gold Gloves next year, the year after and every year after that.  What kept him from getting in this year, was it the famed spitting incident?  The first person Alomar called after finding out this won’t be his year was umpire John Hirschbeck.  Alomar informed him he was okay and we’ll get them next year.  He made sure to let Hirschbeck know the incident was a thing of the past and it’s all good.  He then addressed reporters in his Queens home with the style and grace that made him one of the slickest fielders of all time. 

Twenty-four hours earlier Alomar and his family shared the love by handing out gifts to children at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.  This time his family loved him back by comforting his near miss.

Congratulations Andre Dawson, you most definitely belong, and for Bert Blyleven your time will come.  Roberto Velasquez Alomar got dissed and he handled it like a champ and just for that alone he’ll continue to be “Second 2 None.”

Roberto Alomar being interviewed by Latino Sports at Shea. (Photo Piñero)

Mayaguez, PR: Today is a holiday in Puerto Rico; it is Three Kings Days, the Puerto Rican equivalent of Christmas in the states. Besides the cultural reasons for celebrating Three Kings, the fact is that it is much easier for young children here to believe in three kings bringing them gifts than a Santa Claus that would require snow to drive his reindeer.

This Three Kings Day is going to be a very special day for not just the children of Puerto Rico, but for the entire island since today two Puerto Ricans, Roberto Alomar and Edgar Martinez will be considered for induction into the prestigious baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

Thus today, Three Kings Day is a great day for Puerto Rican, Latino baseball lovers and fans of both, Edgar Martinez and Roberto Clemente to feel proud that both are being considered and that at least one will have a good opportunity to enter the hall of baseball immortals.  In baseball terms and stats that is a .500%, not bad odds at all. Therefore, Boricuas here and in the states will be paying close attention to see the results of the ballots that were submitted by the members of the National Baseball Writers Association of America (BWAA) today in New York City.

Roberto Alomar is the stronger of the two to get inducted since anyone that had seen him play, or has followed the game can easily attest that Alomar is probably one of the best second basemen of all time. It was not only that he had an impressive record during his 17 year baseball career with 12 All Star appearances, 10 Gold Gloves, .300 Batting Average, 2,724 hits and 474 stolen bases. He was also the Most Valuable Player of the American League Playoffs Series in 1992. Though he never officially won an MVP award, there were at least two seasons that he should have, in 1992 with the Blue Jays and in 199? with the Cleveland Indians. However, he did win the prestigious Latino Most Valuable Player award in 199?. When he received the award in New York City he said, “I want to thank Latino Sports for this award because this is the only MVP award that I have won.”

The other candidate, Edgar Martinez is being considered because it is hard to ignore the awesome numbers that he accumulated as the pivotal designated hitter for the Seattle Mariners during the majority of his 18-year career. His two batting titles beginning with his first one as a designated hitter in 1990 and his .312 Batting Average, 309 Homeruns, 1,261can not be ignored. If you consider his .418 On Base Percentage as well as his incredible .515 Slugging Percentage you can understand why this “designated hitter” has to be considered. However, the fact that he is the first designated hitter to be considered might also be the reason that he will not be selected; this is a new area for the mainly conservative BWAA writers to consider.

Whatever happens later today, the fact is that Roberto Alomar’s home town of Salinas, Puerto Rico, as well as Edgar Martinez’ Dorado, Puerto Rico will be waiting today to celebrate their Three Kings gift.

One thing is certain Puerto Rico needs something to help distract the population from the financial crisis that it finds itself in, This issue of the HOF for Roberto Alomar and Edgar Martinez can be a temporary relief, no matter what happens.

New York Mets new outfielder (LSV/Bill Menzel)

FLUSHING, N.Y., January 5, 2010 – The New York Mets today announced that they have signed outfielder Jason Bay to a four-year contract with a vesting option for a fifth year.

Bay hit .267 with a career-high 36 home runs, 119 RBI, and scored 103 runs with the Boston Red Sox in 2009.  It was his second consecutive season of at least 30 home runs, 100 RBI, and 100 runs.   

Bay, 31, was second in the American League in RBI and tied for third in home runs last season.   Among major league outfielders, Bay finished with the most RBI, tied for first in home runs with the Phillies’ Jayson Werth, and was third with a .537 slugging percentage and a .921 OPS.

The right-handed hitter ranked among the league leaders in runs, extra-base hits (68), and batting average with runners in scoring position (.360).  The 2009 AL Silver Slugger has averaged more than 30 home runs and 99 RBI over his six full major league seasons.

“Jason provides us with a big bat in the middle of our lineup, which will help us score more runs,” said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya.  “He has pull power and that will play well at Citi Field.  Jason has excelled in a big-city environment, and we look forward to adding his winning attitude and grit to our clubhouse.”

“It’s exciting for me to come to New York to join Carlos Beltran, David Wright, and Jose Reyes in the lineup to help the Mets get back to the postseason,” said Bay.  “I’m looking forward to returning to the National League and playing at Citi Field in front of passionate fans who care about winning.”

Bay led the AL last season with 15 outfield assists and did not make an error in 325 total chances.  Bay has played 184 errorless games in the field since August 17, 2008, a span of 385 total chances without an error.

The 6-2, 205-pound native of Trail, British Columbia, Canada, last season was named to his third All-Star team (2009, 2006, 2005) with more than 4 million votes, the most of any AL outfielder.

The 2004 National League Rookie of the Year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bay was originally drafted by the Montreal Expos in 2000.  He spent 2002 with the Mets organization, splitting time between St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League and Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League.            

In his major league career with Boston, Pittsburgh, and San Diego, he has a lifetime .280 batting average with 193 doubles, 23 triples, 185 home runs, and 610 RBI in 922 games.   In 14 postseason games, he has batted .306 with three home runs, and nine RBI.

Kal Waggenheim though retired took time to come from New Jersey to participate as the keynote in the last symposium on the 21 Days of Clemente. (Photo LSV)

Bronx, New York - Last night Latino Sports Ventures hosted its third symposium in honor of Roberto Clemente, the last of three such discussions held weekly (Dec. 14, 21 & 27) at the Applebee's restaurant inside the Bronx Gateway Center mall, to cap off "21 Days of Clemente," an annual period in which LSV has esteemed guests give presentations on the impact Clemente had on them, the sport of baseball and beyond. 
 
The evening's featured guest, former New York Times journalist Kal Wagenheim, author of "Clemente!" - the first published biography of Roberto Clemente following the Dec. 31, 1972 plane crash that claimed his life - made his way to the South Bronx on a cold night to speak before 40-plus attendees about the process he underwent to write the book, which, till this day, is the most vivid literary portrait of Number 21. 

Kal & LSV President, Julio Pabón share a laugh at this interesting, funny and educational presentation given by Mr. Waggenheim. (Photo LSV)

 
"Leon King, a book editor at [New York] Praeger Publishers, had suggested that I should do a biography on Clemente, since I had previously lived in Puerto Rico for a long time and written a book with my wife about the history of the island," said Kal Wagenheim of how the idea spawned. 
 
Wagenheim, who never got to meet Roberto Clemente, was in Puerto Rico with his wife, Olga Jimenez de Wagenheim, with whom he co-authored "The Puerto Ricans: A Documentary History," and two kids on a holiday vacation at the time of the tragedy. Though aware of the great Pittsburgh Pirate's athletic achievements, it wasn't until he attended the January 2, 1973 inauguration of the newly-elected governor, Rafael Hernández Colón, merely two days after the incident, that Wagenheim realized the sheer weight of Clemente's untimely death and its effect on Puerto Rican society.

Applebee's Manager, Waggenheim, Paul Kutch all pose with the limited bats they received from Mr. Pabón courtesy of Verdero Sports. (Photo LSV)

Marty Torres was the lucky guest that won one of the limited edition bats in the evening's raffle. (Photo LSV)

On December 28th the last Day of 21 Days of Clemente comes to its conclusion (LS)

Camarada's owner Orlando Plaza (www.camaradaselbarrio.com) wrote this college paper (date of writing not known, but once you read it visit Camaradas and meet the author) and  Latino Sports in proud to post the piece as the 21 Days of December, commemorating the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente in the month of his tragic death draws to an end. In his piece Mr. Plaza makes a number of observations that will be of interest to the baseball fan in general, social activists and Clemente fan in particular.  Editor's Note.