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A3rdrightwing
03-23-2005, 12:50 AM
In RL this was known as the begining of the dark ages for the New York Met franchise of the late 70's. They later of course resserected in the 80's when Wilpon and Doubleday bought the team and Cashen shrewdly drafted and traded for its core players. In my opinion however the Mets teams of the 80's wasted so much of their potential on stupidity and if they were more responsible could have been known as one of the greatest dynasties of all time. Yeah they won a World Series and a divison title but with the teams they had in the mid 80's - 1990 they could of done so much more. 1989 -90 seasons are perfect examples of this they were beaten by younger hungrier teams who at the time were not neccessarly better. Any way it is my hope I can do more than what the Wilpon's did. So here goes nothing.

Daily News - March 1st

Joan Payson sells Mets citing lost interest

New York - Today Joan Payson amid rumors of her selling the team and they are confirmed. Today she has sold the team to real estate mogul, and entepreur Roger Pineda. He is known for helping revive the City of Miami through his real estate deals and business development plans helping put Miami on the world map. He was the leading developer for the site of the 1968 Republican Convention, the location is now a profitable Arena mostly used for rock concerts and minor league hockey and basketball.

The dollar amount for the sale of the franchise has not be disclosed at press time, but Ms. Payson offered a couple of reasons why she decided to sell the team. " I felt it was time for a change and our family was losing interest in dealing with the day to day operation of dealing with a professional sports franchise. For the past several years the Mets have been in a state of stagnancy and some of that may of rubbed off from me to the players for this I apologize to our fans and wish Mr. Pineda best of luck with turning the Mets around. Pineda commented at the press conference " The Mets need a new energy and a new reason to get excited about this team. We need to make changes for the long term success of this team and stop trying to have quick fix bandaid solutions. The Mets had the city of New York captivated for most of this decade as the number one team in New York. We must make sure we stay number one for the long term even if it means taking a back seat for a year or two. We have exciting youngsters in the minor leagues and a solid pitching staff to build around. The Mets will be a team to reckoned for years to come."

Strong words from a new owner, however he failed to speculate how he felt about the new phemenon of Free Agency and Arbitration. Mr. Pineda this is New York, not Miami talk is cheap and we will need you to back your words up with action not rhetoric. But since he is new we will give him a chance to show us what he is about.

A3rdrightwing
03-24-2005, 06:16 PM
Now that the Mets have new ownership they need a new direction for the future. That means getting rid of some familar faces for new and hopefully better faces. Here are the trades made before the first game.

APRIL 1, 1977
White Sox receive Neil Allen (RP), Len Randle (2B), Ron Hodges (C) and Ed Lynch (SP)
Mets receive La Marr Hoyt (SP) and Jack Brohamer (2B)
Mets receive $1 million

Comments - We get a good young arm and a retread. For two inconisient pitchers, a mediocre catcher, and a second basemen who knocked out his own manager.

APRIL 1, 1977
Dodgers receive Roy Staiger (3B), Joe Torre (1B), Bob Apodaca (RP), Pepe Mangual (CF) and Brent Gaff (RP)
Mets receive Steve Garvey (1B), Orel Hershiser (SP) and Ed Goodson (3B)
Mets receive $2 million

Comments - This is a big deal. We get a gold glove first baseman, and a potential cy young award winnger in the same year. Garvey will hit third, and along with Dave Kingman will be relied heavily to help the Mets power numbers.

APRIL 1, 1977
Expos receive Lee Mazzilli (CF), Mario Ramirez (SS) and Scott Holman (SP)
Mets receive Ellis Valentine (CF)

Comments - Ellis Valentine was rotting away on the Expos Bench and had a peak rate of 90. While Mazzilli was at 79 with a peak of 87, plus Ellis brings a 3rd power bat to the Mets Lineup. We lose some speed but we will get that back.

APRIL 1, 1977
Yankees receive Jack Brohamer (2B), Skip Lockwood (SP), Mookie Wilson (CF) and Alex Trevino (C)
Mets receive Willie Randolph (2B) and D**K(for some reason it won't let me write the whole name. Perverts!)Tidrow (SP)
Yankees receive $4 Million

Comments - We get a legitmate starting second baseman that hits for average and has speed in Willie Randolph. He will be the Mets leadoff hitter to start the year and hopefully for many years to come. Wilson and Lockwood are losses but are not irreplaceable.

APRIL 1, 1977
Tigers receive Jon Matlack (SP), Ron Gardenhire (SS) and Rick Anderson (SP)
Mets receive Alan Trammell (SS)
Tigers receive $1 Million

Comments - We give up our Number 2 starter for potential star and the makings of a memorable double play combo are in makings with Randolph and Trammell.

A3rdrightwing
03-24-2005, 06:45 PM
1977 New York Mets Opening Day Roster

Opening Day Payroll: $50,780,000

Starting Lineup
1. Willie Randolph 2B
2. Alan Trammell SS
3. Steve Garvey 1B
4. Dave Kingman RF
5. Ellis Valentine CF
6. John Milner LF
7. Ed Goodson 3B
8. John Stearns C

Bench
Mike Vail RF
Bud Harrelson SS
Bruce Boisclair CF
Mike Phillips SS
Jerry Grote C
Steve Henderson LF

Starters
1. Tom Seaver
2. Jerry Koosman
3. Craig Swan
4. Nino Espinosa
5. Mike Scott

Bullpen
Closer - Jesse Orosco
Setup - Rick Baldwin
Short - Roy Lee Jackson
Middle - D**k Tidrow
Long - Orel Hershiser
Alternate - Ray Sadecki

Key Prospects(those with peaks over 85 listed)
AAA
Dan Norman RF
Walt Terrell SP
LaMarr Hoyt SP
Tim Leary SP

AA
Mike Bishop C
Jeff Reardon RP
Doug Sisk RP

A
Luis Rosado 1B
Jose Moreno RF
Ray Searage RP
Greg Harris RP

R
Hubie Brooks RF
Ronn Reynolds C
Mike Howard LF

A3rdrightwing
03-27-2005, 03:20 PM
This was almost too easy with the Trades I was able to make and after playing for 5 years I made the playoffs every year and won the world series two times. I think this was because the rookies were set back to when they were 18 years old instead of their actual year of existance, so I could get really good players back cheaply. I'll do another Mets one where it's a bit more challenging. Maybe 1962 as the starting point or a team in a smaller market.