Ozzie Virgil Jr. Era in Queens Comes to an End
Jun 11, 2020 15:43:25 GMT -5
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Post by Sha-Le Unique on Jun 11, 2020 15:43:25 GMT -5
The Mets have certainly had a busy 1991 season. Coming off a trip tot he 1990 NLCS that ended with a loss to the Giants, GM Shale Briskin knew it was time to start over. "The team is pretty much all over 30, and with not a lot of financial capital to work with, it's time for a rebuild," Briskin said during the 1990-1991 Winter Meetings this past December.
With ace caliber pitching being as valuable as ever, the Mets were able to send veteran pitchers Dave Dravecky, Scott Sanderson and Mike Paxton to the Mariners, Cubs and Pirates, respectively. Dravecky developed into a great pitcher later in his career, which was highlighted by a career-best 21 wins and a sparkling 1.98 ERA in 1989. Sanderson was a bigger loss, since he had spent almost 11 full seasons in a Mets uniform. Sanderson's best year came in 1990 with 21 wins and a career-best 1.96 ERA. Paxton meanwhile came over in 1986 from the Angels. His dominance from 1987-1990 was hard to match, since his highest ERA in that span was 2.17.
However, it was a second trade the Mets made with the Mariners in July that really drew headlines. On July 31, the Mets dealt their leader, 9-time All-Star catcher Ozzie Virgil Jr. for pitcher Ed Vande Berg and catching prospect Clemente Alvarez. "I will admit that Ozzie's $20 million salary had a lot to do with why we decided to trade Ozzie when we did. We knew that with the rebuild coming up, it wouldn't make sense for him to want to stay, so we figured why not let him get another crack at the postseason?", stated Briskin in the press conference that day.
Despite not putting up the most gaudy of stats, Virgil has arguably been one of the very most elite HOFFBL catchers since he arrived in 1980, along with Lance Parrish, of course. Virgil arrived immediately after future Hall of Fame backstop Joe Torre announced his retirement after a 17-year career spent entirely with the Mets. Those were understandably huge shoes to fill, but Virgil came out swinging his rookie season with a .315 average and made his first trip to the All-Star Game.
Virgil was beloved by his teammates and as a Puerto Rico native and the son of a former major leaguer, he became a mentor for his fellow Latino teammates. "I remember when I first got to the big leagues in 1986, Ozzie talked to me in the locker room the first day and told me that if I ever needed anything at the stadium or any advice on how to get around New York City, I could always ask him. He helped me get tickets for my family when they flew over to see my debut and I will never forget his leadership. I wish him well wherever he goes," stated current Mets utility man Juan Bonilla, a fellow Puerto Rico native himself.
Virgil also had great relationships with his pitchers, all of whom when asked stated he knew how to call a good game. "I loved working with Ozzie for years and he was always there for me when I had a bad inning and would get frustrated at myself. He always kept reminding me that I was one of the most talented pitchers he'd ever seen and that if I used more control to better locate my pitches, the sky would be the limit," Sanderson mentioned through telephone from Chicago. "Ozzie was the perfect balance as a catcher. He would comfort you when you needed it, but he also was never afraid to get in my face and really keep me focused on the mound," said current Mets pitcher Gordie Pladson.
Virgil though was not just a regular season phenomenon. In the 1990 postseason, he batted .310 and hit 3 home runs during the Mets' failed quest for another trip to the World Series. "I was hoping to get a ring in New York, but it just wasn't meant to be. The Braves were always tough and the Giants of late have been unreal as well. Better days are coming though for Mets fans. Their front office has worked too hard to let up. I wish them well with the rebuild, and I'm definitely gonna be rooting for Piazza (the Mets prized catching prospect). I knew he was going to get called up soon enough. I spent time with him in spring training and his raw power is out of this world. The kid is a hard worker and I'm confident he will be able to handle New York City," Virgil stated at the press conference on the day of the trade.
The aforementioned Mike Piazza is the Mets' top prospect and although he can play other positions, the Mets view him as a primary catcher. "I've worked hard on my defense this year and the ball is definitely coming out of my arm quicker on the throws to second base. Catchers are always expected to provide more on defense than offense, so I'm trying to balance excelling at both as much as I can," said Piazza at the Mets' Triple A facility in Norfolk, VA.
The Mets have been very fortunate to have strong leadership at catcher since their inception from Torre to Virgil and now Piazza, who should be ready to come up for the 1992 season. "His hitting has not stopped since we drafted him and the defense has definitely improved over recent time, so as long as he stays healthy, a promotion looks very likely at this point," Briskin recently stated last week when asked by reporters if it was a foregone conclusion Piazza would come up next season.
It's never easy for a team to trade players like Virgil and Sanderson who have put in over 10 years with the same team, but the Mets felt the timing was right for the rebuild. That being said, the Mets are certainly hoping to be back on top before too long. "I'm hoping around the mid 90s, maybe like 96 or so, this team can find its way back on top, regardless of how stacked the Braves will continue to be by then. I'm very disappointed I could not deliver the Mets and their loyal fans a title just yet, but I won't stop or get much rest until I find a way to bring that title here. The Yankees should not be the only New York team celebrating titles. This team wants its own legacy to fall back on. I promise to do everything I can to make it happen," stated Briskin at the Virgil press conference.
Mets fans will just have to be patient for a while as a new crop of young talent starts coming together.
With ace caliber pitching being as valuable as ever, the Mets were able to send veteran pitchers Dave Dravecky, Scott Sanderson and Mike Paxton to the Mariners, Cubs and Pirates, respectively. Dravecky developed into a great pitcher later in his career, which was highlighted by a career-best 21 wins and a sparkling 1.98 ERA in 1989. Sanderson was a bigger loss, since he had spent almost 11 full seasons in a Mets uniform. Sanderson's best year came in 1990 with 21 wins and a career-best 1.96 ERA. Paxton meanwhile came over in 1986 from the Angels. His dominance from 1987-1990 was hard to match, since his highest ERA in that span was 2.17.
Former Mets ace Scott Sanderson pitched in Queens from 1980 until May of this season.
However, it was a second trade the Mets made with the Mariners in July that really drew headlines. On July 31, the Mets dealt their leader, 9-time All-Star catcher Ozzie Virgil Jr. for pitcher Ed Vande Berg and catching prospect Clemente Alvarez. "I will admit that Ozzie's $20 million salary had a lot to do with why we decided to trade Ozzie when we did. We knew that with the rebuild coming up, it wouldn't make sense for him to want to stay, so we figured why not let him get another crack at the postseason?", stated Briskin in the press conference that day.
Despite not putting up the most gaudy of stats, Virgil has arguably been one of the very most elite HOFFBL catchers since he arrived in 1980, along with Lance Parrish, of course. Virgil arrived immediately after future Hall of Fame backstop Joe Torre announced his retirement after a 17-year career spent entirely with the Mets. Those were understandably huge shoes to fill, but Virgil came out swinging his rookie season with a .315 average and made his first trip to the All-Star Game.
Virgil was beloved by his teammates and as a Puerto Rico native and the son of a former major leaguer, he became a mentor for his fellow Latino teammates. "I remember when I first got to the big leagues in 1986, Ozzie talked to me in the locker room the first day and told me that if I ever needed anything at the stadium or any advice on how to get around New York City, I could always ask him. He helped me get tickets for my family when they flew over to see my debut and I will never forget his leadership. I wish him well wherever he goes," stated current Mets utility man Juan Bonilla, a fellow Puerto Rico native himself.
Catcher Ozzie Virgil Jr. led the Mets to five playoff appearances from 1984-1990 and defined an entire decade of Mets baseball.
Virgil also had great relationships with his pitchers, all of whom when asked stated he knew how to call a good game. "I loved working with Ozzie for years and he was always there for me when I had a bad inning and would get frustrated at myself. He always kept reminding me that I was one of the most talented pitchers he'd ever seen and that if I used more control to better locate my pitches, the sky would be the limit," Sanderson mentioned through telephone from Chicago. "Ozzie was the perfect balance as a catcher. He would comfort you when you needed it, but he also was never afraid to get in my face and really keep me focused on the mound," said current Mets pitcher Gordie Pladson.
Virgil though was not just a regular season phenomenon. In the 1990 postseason, he batted .310 and hit 3 home runs during the Mets' failed quest for another trip to the World Series. "I was hoping to get a ring in New York, but it just wasn't meant to be. The Braves were always tough and the Giants of late have been unreal as well. Better days are coming though for Mets fans. Their front office has worked too hard to let up. I wish them well with the rebuild, and I'm definitely gonna be rooting for Piazza (the Mets prized catching prospect). I knew he was going to get called up soon enough. I spent time with him in spring training and his raw power is out of this world. The kid is a hard worker and I'm confident he will be able to handle New York City," Virgil stated at the press conference on the day of the trade.
The aforementioned Mike Piazza is the Mets' top prospect and although he can play other positions, the Mets view him as a primary catcher. "I've worked hard on my defense this year and the ball is definitely coming out of my arm quicker on the throws to second base. Catchers are always expected to provide more on defense than offense, so I'm trying to balance excelling at both as much as I can," said Piazza at the Mets' Triple A facility in Norfolk, VA.
Mets catching prospect Mike Piazza looks primed to make his own mark behind the plate in 1992.
The Mets have been very fortunate to have strong leadership at catcher since their inception from Torre to Virgil and now Piazza, who should be ready to come up for the 1992 season. "His hitting has not stopped since we drafted him and the defense has definitely improved over recent time, so as long as he stays healthy, a promotion looks very likely at this point," Briskin recently stated last week when asked by reporters if it was a foregone conclusion Piazza would come up next season.
It's never easy for a team to trade players like Virgil and Sanderson who have put in over 10 years with the same team, but the Mets felt the timing was right for the rebuild. That being said, the Mets are certainly hoping to be back on top before too long. "I'm hoping around the mid 90s, maybe like 96 or so, this team can find its way back on top, regardless of how stacked the Braves will continue to be by then. I'm very disappointed I could not deliver the Mets and their loyal fans a title just yet, but I won't stop or get much rest until I find a way to bring that title here. The Yankees should not be the only New York team celebrating titles. This team wants its own legacy to fall back on. I promise to do everything I can to make it happen," stated Briskin at the Virgil press conference.
Mets fans will just have to be patient for a while as a new crop of young talent starts coming together.
