Mets Notes

CUOMO TO MEDIATE BETWEEN METS AND PICARD

A federal judge has appointed former New York Governor Mario Cuomo as the mediator between the New York Mets and Bernie Madoff trustee Irving Picard.  Judge Burton R. Liftland said that Cuomo is a good fit for the job.  Cuomo first gained prominence and national notoriety as a mediator.

Picard is suing the Wilpon family for $1 billion for the activities related to the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme.

SANTANA BEGINS THROWING

New York Mets LHP Johan Santana has begun throwing at his home in Florida.  Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen has said that Santana has played catch three times.  Santana reported to Spring Training today along with all of the other Mets pitchers and catchers.

Santana went 11-9 with a 2.98 ERA last season.  He is still tentatively scheduled to return near the All-Star break.

IZZY SEEKS COMEBACK

RHP Jason Isringhausen threw in New York Mets camp today  as the official report date for pitchers and catchers came and went (most of the players on the Spring Training roster were already there).  Isringhausen threw in front of assistant GM J. P. Ricciardi.  No official statement has been made and Isringhausen has not been offered a contract.

Izzy pitched briefly in the Minors last season with the Louisville River Bats and was offered another Minor League contract by the Cincinnati Reds earlier this off season but turned it down citing a belief that he had little or no chance to make the team.  He believes that he has a bigger chance to make the team with the Mets and their sparse bullpen.  Isringhausen was a top prospect with the Mets in the 1990s and pitched with them from 1995 to 1999.

Izzy was a member of "Generation K," along with RHP Paul Wilson and LHP Bill Pulsipher, who were seen as the next Big Three after the Atlanta Braves' RHP Greg Maddux, LHP Tom Glavine, and RHP John Smoltz.  However, all three pitchers saw their careers derailed at young ages due to injuries.  Isringhausen never truly recovered from his injuries but was healthy enough to see a strong career as a closer.  Wilson eventually recovered fully and became an ace with the Cincinnati Reds (Cincinnati's pitching wasn't very good in those days).  Pulsipher's arm was essentially ruined though he labored as a Minor League veteran for several seasons.