SB Nation New York - Sandy Alderson: Mets General Manager Post Is 'Best Job Available In Baseball'https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2010-10-29T15:12:38-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14942252010-10-29T15:12:38-04:002010-10-29T15:12:38-04:00Mets Introduce Sandy Alderson In Press Conference
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<p>When Sandy Alderson took to the podium at Citi Field, the new General Manager of the Mets surveyed the media in attendance and quipped, "Today's gathering represents about 17 years of press coverage in Oakland," in reference to his 15-year tenure as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a>' GM. That comment drew laughter from everyone in attendance and set the tone for the press conference. Alderson showed himself to be witty, but also insightful.</p>
<p>"I view the position of the General Manager of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> as the best job available in baseball," said Alderson in his opening statement, "not only now but for the foreseeable future." He said the Mets are "an iconic franchise in a great city, a city that inspires all of us to dream big," which is one of the reasons why he took the position. He also said New York's "stable, caring ownership" and "committed, very passionate fans" were factors that made the Mets attractive.</p>
<p>Under his leadership, Alderson said, the Mets "will strive for consistency and, above all, excellence." But he is not strictly about business: "Baseball is a game. It's entertainment. We all ought to have fun in the process."</p>
<p>But the main topic today, understandably, was indeed business. "The baseball calendar waits for no one," Alderson said, which is why the team is eager to begin interviewing managerial candidates. He says that process will begin next week and he is "excited" about who might be available. Alderson wants a manager who will "reflect the general philosophy of the organization." He also desires a manager who is "somewhat analytical," but who can be "intuitive" when the situation calls for it.</p>
<p>The Mets also need to make some free-agency decisions soon, and Alderson said he is addressing the situation of left-handed reliever <span>Hisanori Takahashi</span> "at the moment."</p>
<p>Notably, Alderson said "I think a fiery manager is actually quite desirable," noting that the manager is often "a proxy" for fans who want to see their team succeed.</p>
<p>Alderson was bound to face questions about the current roster, and he indeed was asked how he planned to deal with the situations of underachieving, unhappy, overpaid veterans such as Luis Castillo and <span>Oliver Perez</span>. "I'm certainly mindful of public opinion," Alderson said, "but from a personal and organizational standpoint, we have to be circumspect." Later, he added, "We need to be careful about writing off any player or asset we may have."</p>
<p>A key for Alderson is flexibility. "You need to be agile," he said, in listing what he looks for in an organization. But he probably won't enjoy that level of flexibility this season, however much he'd like to. "In the free-agent market, we want to be in the market every year. Will we be in the market this year? Unlikely."</p>
<p>However, Alderson made it clear that he takes 2011 very seriously; he is not biding his time until 2012. "I am by no means thinking past 2011. I'm very optimistic about 2011." Of importance to him this year is "to set up a situation where we're as active and aggressive as possible."</p>
<p>The Mets have their new GM, and he's already trying to change the organizational culture. We'll have to wait just a bit to see if his efforts will translate into more success on the field.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-mets/2010/10/29/1782224/sandy-alderson-mets-press-conference-general-manager-mlbEvan Dunlap2010-10-28T18:59:34-04:002010-10-28T18:59:34-04:00Sandy Alderson To Be introduced As GM By Mets On Friday
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<p>Sandy Alderson has been named general manager of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a>, <a href="http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2010/10/28/alderson-officially-announced-as-new-mets-gm/" target="new">the team confirmed today</a>.</p>
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<p>Alderson, the former president and GM of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> and chief executive officer of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a>, will have to leave his current job with Major League Baseball in which he’s leading efforts to reform operations in the Dominican Republic.</p>
<p>Alderson, who turns 63 next month, was Oakland’s general manager from 1983-97, also serving as team president from 1993-95 and 1996-97. He built power-packed teams led by the Bash Brothers of Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco that won three straight pennants from 1988-90 and a World Series title in ‘89.</p>
<p>Well-respected among <span class="caps">MLB</span> executives, Alderson was executive vice president for baseball operations in the commissioner’s office from 1998-05. He was the Padres’ <span class="caps">CEO</span> from 2005-09.</p>
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<p>The team will officially introduce Alderson during a press conference Friday at Citi Field.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-mets/2010/10/28/1780658/sandy-alderson-to-be-introduced-as-gm-by-ny-mets-on-fridayEd Valentine2010-10-27T09:30:50-04:002010-10-27T09:30:50-04:00Sandy Alderson Will Be New York Mets' General Manager
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<p>Sports Illustrated <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/10/26/mets.hire.alderson/index.html" target="new">reported this morning</a> that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> will hire <strong>Sandy Alderson</strong> to succeed <strong>Omar Minaya</strong> as the team’s general manager.</p>
<p>From SI:</p>
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<p>The Mets made the choice after bringing back Alderson and former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> GM Josh Byrnes as finalists.</p>
<p>The official hire of Alderson could come as early as Friday, as announcements are discouraged on days of World Series games.</p>
<p>Alderson, 62, brings instant added credibility to the Mets, who have had two straight losing seasons.</p>
<p>Alderson was a longtime GM of the A’s, building the successful teams of the late ‘80s and early ’90s, and more recently served as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>’ <span class="caps">CEO</span>. He worked in several big jobs at the commissioner’s office, as well.</p>
<p>Alderson appeared to have the backing of commissioner Bud Selig and, more importantly, Mets team owner Fred Wilpon from the start. Though he hasn’t been a GM since 1997, Mets people say he was "well versed’’ on current players.</p>
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<p>I guess we are about to find out just how “well versed” Alderson is. Like this move, Mets fans?</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-mets/2010/10/27/1777267/sandy-alderson-will-be-new-york-mets-general-managerEd Valentine2010-10-26T21:53:28-04:002010-10-26T21:53:28-04:00Sandy Alderson Interviews, Concluding Mets Search For A General Manager
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> Tuesday c<a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101026&content_id=15853696&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym&partnerId=rss_nym" target="new">oncluded interviews for their vacant general manager position</a> when they spoke with former Oakland general manager <strong>Sandy Alderson</strong> for a second time.</p>
<p>The team has also interviewed form Arizona general manager Josh Byrnes twice.</p>
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<p>“Fred, Saul and I met with Sandy Alderson today at Citi Field,” Jeff Wilpon said Tuesday in a statement. “We will have no further comment on the process until we are ready to announce our new general manager.”</p>
<p>Alderson, 62, is considered the clear frontrunner after helping construct an A’s team that won four division titles, three pennants and one World Series during 15 seasons as general manager from 1983-97. He later worked for Major League Baseball before heading San Diego’s baseball operations department for four years.</p>
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<p>So, Mets’ fans. Alderson or Byrnes? Which one do you want?</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-mets/2010/10/26/1776630/sandy-alderson-interviews-concluding-mets-search-for-a-general-managerEd Valentine2010-10-21T20:46:59-04:002010-10-21T20:46:59-04:00Mets' GM Search Down To Six Finalists
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> have reportedly <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101021&content_id=15777570&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym&partnerId=rss_nym" target="new">narrowed their search for a new general manager</a> to six candidates.</p>
<p>Former Oakland GM Sandy Alderson, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> assistant to the GM Allard Baird, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> assistant GM Rick Hahn, former D-backs GM Josh Byrnes, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> assistant GM Logan White and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a> special assistant to the GM Dana Brown are the finalists.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-mets/2010/10/21/1766817/mets-gm-search-down-to-six-finalistsEd Valentine2010-10-18T09:08:12-04:002010-10-18T09:08:12-04:00Sandy Alderson To Get Second Interview For Mets' GM Job
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<p>SB Nation's <b>Amazin' Avenue</b> has your latest update on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/2010/10/18/1758631/second-interview-applesauce-alderson-to-meet-mets-again-wilpons-wait">search for a general manager</a>.</p>
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<p>I'll lead off again with the Met GM speculation as the New York Post is reporting that <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/alderson_to_get_nd_interview_with_X8vSrttza9iLK6YjFuzGVK?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=" target="_blank">Sandy Alderson has been asked to interview for a second time with New York</a>. No decision, however, is imminent and the Mets still need to interview a candidate who can qualify under MLB's minority quota rules as the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a> <a href="http://7traintoshea.com/?p=2438" target="_blank">denied them the chance to speak with Al Avila</a>. The Mets also continue to <a href="http://7traintoshea.com/?p=2433" target="_blank">wait for the possible chance to speak with Texas and Queens native Jon Daniels</a>.</p>
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<p>It will be an upset if Alderson does not get this job. He has been the front-runner since the beginning, and nothing seems to have changed that.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-mets/2010/10/18/1758728/sandy-alderson-to-get-second-interview-for-mets-gm-jobEd Valentine2010-10-16T13:04:24-04:002010-10-16T13:04:24-04:00Mets Continuing To Interview General Manager Candidates
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<p>Forget all that stuff about the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> wanting to have a general manager <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/general_delay_EaqsKevCqhsYMTlAmFbECN" target="new">in place by the World Series</a>. The team is now saying the decision might take “weeks.”</p>
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<p>“We are continuing our search and expect to hire our new GM in the next few weeks,” said <span class="caps">COO</span> Jeff Wilpon.</p>
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<p>The Mets already interviewed former Kansas City GM Allard Baird, former Oakland GM Sandy Alderson, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> assistant GM Logan White, former Arizona GM Josh Byrnes</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-mets/2010/10/16/1755518/mlb-new-york-mets-continuing-to-interview-general-manager-candidatesEd Valentine2010-10-14T14:06:36-04:002010-10-14T14:06:36-04:00Bobby Valentine Waiting For Mets' Managerial Job?
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<p><strong>Bobby Valentine</strong> has <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101013&content_id=15622402&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb" target="new">turned down an offer</a> to manage the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/florida-marlins">Florida Marlins</a>.</p>
<p>That, of course, leads to speculation that the former Met skipper is <a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/10/14/report-valentine-turns-down-marlins-still-available-for-mets/" target="new">hoping for another shot with the team</a>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> need a new manager after firing <strong>Jerry Manuel</strong>.</p>
<p>Valentine did lead the Mets to the 2000 World Series, but the possibility of him returning to the team is certain to bring a mixed reaction from the fanbase.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-mets/2010/10/14/1751295/bobby-valentine-waiting-for-mets-managerial-jobEd Valentine