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This Day in Mets History
December 1st

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5 Fact(s) Found
1998 The Mets sign 31-year-old Gold Glove third baseman Robin Ventura (.263, 21, 91) to a four-year, 32 million dollar free-agent deal. The former White Sox infielder joins two-time Gold Glove shortstop Rey Ordonez, second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, and first baseman John Olerud to make up one of the best fielding infields in history, according to Sports Illustrated.

1998 Due to the acquisition of All-Star backstop Mike Piazza, the Mets deal fan favorite Todd Hundley, along with right-hander Arnold Gooch, to the Dodgers for outfielder Roger Cedeno and catcher Charles Johnson. New York then sends Johnson to Baltimore to obtain closer Armando Benitez.
2000 Turk Wendell, who wears uniform number 99, agrees to a three-year deal worth $9,999,999.99 with the Mets. The New York reliever had asked that his pact include an option year in which he would play for free, but that plan was unworkable because baseball's collective bargaining agreement sets a $200,000 minimum salary.

2011 The Red Sox introduce Bobby Valentine as the team's new manager at a news conference covered by approximately 100 members of the media, many from the New York papers and broadcast outlets. Boston announces the 61-year-old skipper, who hasn't managed since being fired by the Mets in 2002, agreed to a two-year deal, having options for 2014 and 2015.

(Ed. Note: Valentine's tenure in Boston will be brief, being dismissed a day after the regular season ends when the team finishes last with a 69-93 record, their worst campaign since 1965. - LP)

2021 Max Scherzer and the Mets agree on a three-year, $130 million contract, making the right-hander's $43.3 million annual average the most in major league history. The 37-year-old joins Jacob deGrom at the top of the rotation, giving the team a formidable one-two punch, with the two hurlers copping five Cy Young Awards between them, including four of the last six in the National League.
5 Fact(s) Found