| Charlie Hayes is playing for New York again, but this time with the Mets. Hayes, 34 years old, played for the San Fransisco Giants last season. The Mets signed him to a minor-league contract and the Mets said that if he makes the team in spring training, they will pay him $500,000. And during the second half of the season he did bad. He had an injury to his left wrist and had to get arthroscopic sugery done. In 1999, he batted .205, with 6 homers, and 48 RBI in 95 games. That was the poorest season of his 11-year career. Yankee fans will remember this-in 1996, Haes caught the last out of the World Series. He thought about retiring but he said the Mets gave him a chance. GM Steve Phillips, the Mets GM, said that he will likely be a back-up for first and third base, and maybe in the outfield. With Todd Zeile and Robin Ventura at the corners he says that he will not play on a regular day basis. He will also take over one of those positions if Ventura or Zeile get injured. But the Mets hope Hayes will play as he did in 1998--- .338 vs. left-handed pitchers, .294 with runners in scoring position. In his career Hayes had batted .264 with 135 homers, and 690 RBI in 1,395 games. The Mets will be his 6th team, he has played for in his career. I'll keep you posted. |
