Post by Sha-Le Unique on Sept 18, 2014 0:35:30 GMT -5
The 1960 HOFFBL draft is the first draft in league history to feature 20 teams. The 1959 draft introduced two new American League teams (Los Angeles Angels and the second edition of the Washington Senators) that will begin play in 1961, but this time around, two new National League teams will be in the next two drafts in preparation for the 1962 season.
Those teams are the Houston Colt 45's and the New York Mets. The Colt 45's begin their franchise history by selecting pitcher Pat Jarvis 5th overall in the current 1960 draft. Jarvis will hopefully turn into the first great pitcher in Colt 45's history. He has very good ratings, a lot of stamina, and seems to have the personality for an expansion team as well with very good character ratings.
Pat Jarvis became the first ever player in Colt 45's history.
The city of Houston has never had a major league baseball team around, so it should certainly be something for people there to look forward to.
Colt 45's GM Jennifer Goble unfortunately was unavailable for comment. She was too busy pouring out fires and saving lives. Just another busy day for a firefighter!
The eventual arrival of the Mets will finally restore National League baseball in New York. Fans are still reeling over the loss of the Giants and Dodgers to California, but with the Mets, those fans will be able to identify with a new team. The Mets will reportedly base their uniform colors around their predecessors, with blue representing the Dodgers and orange representing the Giants. There's also talk of pinstripe uniforms at home to pay respect to the crosstown Yankees. We will have to see how the uniforms end up looking 2 seasons from now.
The Mets in the current draft selected catcher and Brooklyn native Joe Torre 6th overall. Torre looks to be a very promising backstop and has been well regarded as a hard worker that leaves everything he has on the field. "It's a dream come true to be drafted in my home city. I loved the Dodgers while growing up, but as much as I loved them at the time, I'm absolutely thrilled to continue to call New York my home. The look on my mother's face when I got the call today was the happiest I have ever seen her. I can't wait to see this Mets team get started in a couple seasons," Torre stated after being interviewed today.
Joe Torre hopes to one day be the iconic catcher for the Mets that Yogi Berra has been for the Yankees.
HOFFBL commissioner Chris Cosenza also announced today that current Pirates GM Shale Briskin will be leaving the Pirates after the 1961 season to run the Mets in 1962. Briskin yesterday had a press conference in Pittsburgh.
"The rumors are true. As much as I love this Pirates team I have put together and have gotten to know these guys really well, this was something I could not resist. Going home to New York and running a new National League team there from the inception of its history is literally a dream come true. I was very saddened to see the Dodgers and Giants go west as a baseball fan and because I liked the Dodgers as a kid. But we finally got it right with expansion and now the Mets will represent New York in the National League.
"This was a very difficult decision, especially after taking this Pirates team to its first World Series in over 30 years. Again, I love these guys here and can honestly call many, if not all of them my friends. And I talked to them about my decision earlier and said that I wouldn't have made such a decision to start a team anywhere else but in New York. I could go on and say that I want to be closer to family and what not, and of course I do, but still, I was perfectly fine here for quite a few years.
"This was just a once in a lifetime opportunity I couldn't turn down. To be a pioneer for a new team in New York. Aside from World Series championships and good relations with everyone I work with, I can't ask for much more in baseball. Something just didn't feel right in the past few seasons not visiting New York a few times a year and hopefully, New York will always have a National League baseball team for all eternity.
"I was recently asked about which stadium the Mets will play in starting in 1962. I have heard that the Polo Grounds will be the Mets' original home, but hopefully not for too long. The first thing I did when Chris asked me if I wanted to have this job in a couple seasons was seeing if the Mets could one day have an original stadium of their own. He said that if the money is there, it's definitely possible, so I cannot wait to see the new stadium the Mets will have in the future.
"Also, I just want to clarify that I'm still the Pirates GM for this season and in 1961 and that my top priority is getting the Pirates a pair of World Series championships before I depart. Furthermore, I will do everything I can to make sure the Pirates are in good hands when I relocate to New York. I will make sure the next GM is passionate and willing to do everything possible to keep this newfound Pirates success going for a long time. I will not leave them to dry. I've put in too much work to even consider that. So to all Pirates fans across the country, do not worry about the future too much. We've got a young core of elite talent and I will make sure your next GM is more than qualified to succeed me.
"Thank you for listening in and understanding the decision I made today. I completely stand by it and hope everyone will be as supportive as possible for both the Pirates right now and for my transition to the Mets in two years."
The Colt 45's and Mets will look to make more good draft picks in later rounds as the two teams continue to prepare for the future.
