mikesmate
Would love to be Piazza's Fling
USA
Posts: 520
(2/21/02 7:15 am)
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2B and not 2B
Alomar arrives, holds summit with displaced Alfonzo
Posted: Wednesday February 20, 2002 4:37 PM
Updated: Wednesday February 20, 2002 5:41 PM
 Roberto Alomar brings 10 Gold Gloves to the Mets infield. AP
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -- Roberto Alomar walked into the New York Mets' clubhouse for the first time on Wednesday and quickly found the new teammate most affected by his arrival.
As Alomar sat at his locker, the All-Star second baseman talked with Edgardo Alfonzo, who's been forced to move from second back to third base.
"I just want him to be happy, I want him to understand what's going on," Alomar said. "He's a great player and I just want to talk to him to see how his feelings are, to make sure he's doing good and that he's happy."
Alomar and Alfonzo will be joined in the infield by shortstop Rey Ordonez and another newcomer, first baseman Mo Vaughn.
"I got to see Mo Vaughn through the years and he'll surprise you the way he can play first base," Alomar said. "You've got Rey Ordonez and I don't have to say a lot because he's one of the best at his position and Alfonzo is one of my idols, so it's going to be fun to play with those guys."
Alomar, acquired in December in a major trade with Cleveland, will bring more than his 10 Gold Gloves and .315 career average to the Mets. He'll also share a knowledge of the game that is seldom seen in the modern-day players.
Alomar has been playing the game since he was 4 years old under the guidance of his father, Sandy Sr., who was an accomplished major league player. His brother, Sandy Jr., is a catcher for the Chicago White Sox.
"My dad's still my best coach, he's the one I always call if something goes on and he calls me and always gives me advice," Alomar said. "I call my mother every day, I call my dad four times a week and call my brother maybe a couple of times a week."
Alomar credits his mother, Maria, with teaching him certain aspects of the game when his father was playing ball.
"I think he's rare, I think he's what New Yorkers have thought of when they watch Derek Jeter," Mets manager Bobby Valentine said. "That's a similar image, even though Robbie's done it a lot longer."
Alomar brings those type skills to his fourth major league team, having played for Toronto, Baltimore and Cleveland.
"You're coming to a new team, you're coming to a team that's looking forward to win and you have a great bunch on guys," Alomar said. "I think we have it all, now it's up to us to go out on the field and do what we get paid to do."
Notes: The only thing that didn't go right for Alomar during his first day was that his shipment of bats arrived with his name misspelled on the barrel. The manufacturer dropped the second "A" in his last name. "They missed a letter," Alomar said. "But that's OK I'll use anything that works." ... The Mets had no further update on OF Timo Perez. He's experiencing visa problems and did not arrive. ... New OF Jeromy Burnitz checked into camp and appeared to have flu symptoms. However, Valentine said, "He looks like he's in better shape than he has been in the last three years." ... The Mets came to terms with RHPs Tyler Walker and Eric Cammack for the 2002 season.
 
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