![]() This is the best news I have heard in a long time. My friend Omar Minaya is coming back, restoring his talent and personality to the Mets. This is what I wrote about Minaya's homecoming in 2006: www.nytimes.com/2006/04/09/sports/baseball/touching-all-the-bases-on-minayas-trip-home.html I will let fans and writers have their opinions of Minaya's regime as general manager. I only know what with his eye for talent and his positive view of the world he makes the Mets better on this homecoming. Bienvenido a casa. Benvenuto a casa. Welcome Home. METS NAME OMAR MINAYA SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO GM FLUSHING, N.Y., December 22, 2017 – The New York Mets today announced that the club has named Omar Minaya a Special Assistant to General Manager Sandy Alderson. Minaya, 59, spent the last three years as the Senior Advisor to the Executive Director for the Major League Baseball Players Association. Minaya worked for the Mets from September 23, 1997-February 11, 2002 where he was a Senior Assistant GM who was responsible for overseeing the Mets International Scouting department. He returned to the organization on September 30, 2004 as the club’s General Manager, a role he held until October 4, 2010. “Omar has a long history with the Mets,” said Alderson. “He has served the club well in many different areas. Omar will be a resource on scouting and player development, will consult on player acquisitions and will serve as a community ambassador. We are very happy to have him back in the organization.” Minaya became baseball’s first Hispanic GM when he was appointed by MLB as the Vice President and General Manager of the Montreal Expos on February 12, 2002. Minaya served as the San Diego Padres VP of Baseball Operations from December, 2011-January, 2015. He worked for the Texas Rangers from 1985-1997 in the scouting department. Minaya was a member of the Selection Committee for the United States Olympic and Pan American Baseball teams in 2000, when both won gold medals. “I’m excited to return to an organization that I love,” said Minaya. “I’m thrilled I can return to scouting and developing young talent. I look forward to working for Sandy and his staff.” 12/22/2017 02:20:08 pm
George, thanks for bringing this piece of hopeful news to my attention. I can't argue with the points you make about Minaya being a somewhat brilliant talent scout. Here's to hoping that this improves our odds for a successful (if not dominant) 2018, when much local attention will be back focused on the Bronx. And Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Brian Savin
12/22/2017 06:46:19 pm
Glad you’re happy, George. Reading this as I await my own family homecoming for Christmas. All great.
George Vecsey
12/22/2017 09:16:32 pm
Good to hear from both of you. 12/23/2017 01:36:18 pm
Just when things seem at their bleakest a ray of hope somehow shines through. Although one person cannot usually do it all, hiring Minaya is a positive step in the right direction.
Gene Palumbo
12/24/2017 05:39:22 pm
George, Comments are closed.
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