Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Mets Fire Manager Green, Choose Valentine To Take His Place

From Wire Reports

The New York Mets, frustrated that their young players failed to play up to expectations, fired manager Dallas Green on Monday and replaced him with former Texas Rangers manager Bobby Valentine.

Injuries and inconsistency, especially to the highly touted trio of young pitchers Bill Pulsipher, Jason Isringhausen and Paul Wilson, were prime reasons for the poor mark.

Last week, Green, 62, lashed out at Wilson and Isringhasuen, saying they didn’t belong in the majors. Those comments, general manager Joe McIlvaine said, contributed to costing Green his job. Valentine, 46, was promoted from managing the Mets’ Triple-A Norfolk team. Valentine played for the Spokane Indians from 1969-71 and was the Pacific Coast League’s Most Valuable Player in ‘70.

The Mets also dismissed pitching coach Greg Pavlick and bench coach Bobby Wine. Bob Apodaca, Norfolk’s pitching coach, takes Pavlick’s spot, and part-time coach Rafael Landestoy was made full-time.

Gooden bids Green good riddance

As was the case with many of his pitchers, there never was any love lost between Dallas Green and Dwight Gooden. So it was no surprise when Gooden unleashed a verbal barrage at the fired Mets manager.

“I’m surprised he lasted that long,” said Gooden, who played under Green in parts of 1993 and 1994. “I have no respect for him, either as a manager or a person.

“I wasn’t surprised by the things he said. I saw how he handled players in the past. I was not surprised at all. When he first came in, things were OK. When you did well he was your best friend. When you struggled he was against you.”

Cone ready to rejoin Yankees

Last week David Cone was just happy to be on the mound again, throwing pitches that counted for the first time in more than three months. But Monday night, Cone was on a mission to prove to the Yankees he’s ready to rejoin the rotation.

And after throwing 83 pitches in a smooth six innings for the Norwich Navigators, he felt so good about his outing he was campaigning for a start in Anaheim, Calif., this weekend.

“I think I’m ready to take that next step,” he said. “I think I can help the team now. I’ve just gotta get some people to agree with me.”

Rodriguez, Caminiti honored

Alex Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners, the fifth shortstop ever to hit 30 homers in a season, was selected the American League player of the week.

Rodriguez, 21, was 12 for 29 last week to raise his major league-best average to .366. He hit four homers and drove in 10 runs. Ernie Banks, Rico Petrocelli, Vern Stephens and Cal Ripken are the only other shortstops with 30-homer seasons.

San Diego’s Ken Caminiti was honored in the National League. He was 10 for 22 last week with three homers and 14 RBIs.