Young Rojas to replace Beltran as Mets manager
The New York Mets are finalizing a multiyear agreement with quality control coach Luis Rojas to make him the team’s manager, staying in-house to replace the ousted Carlos Beltrán, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Wednesday.
“I think it’s the fit. It’s where the team is. I think it’s the culture we’re trying to create,” Van Wagenen said.
Rojas would take over for Beltrán, who left the Mets last week before managing a single game as part of the fallout from the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.
The 38-year-old Rojas is the son of former Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants manager Felipe Alou and the brother of ex-big leaguer Moises Alou. The former minor league manager has been with the organization since 2007 but had never coached in the majors before joining Mickey Callaway’s staff last season.
“He has a good finger on the pulse of this team,” Van Wagenen said.
Callaway was fired after the season, and Rojas interviewed for the vacancy in November before New York hired Beltrán.
Beltrán’s tenure lasted 2½ months and ended after baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred singled him out in a report on a cheating scheme used by the Astros during their World Series championship season in 2017. The Mets announced he was out as manager three days later.
WALKER’S PLAQUE WILL FEATURE ROCKIES CAP » Larry Walker’s plaque in the Baseball Hall of Fame will include a Colorado Rockies hat rather than one from the Montreal Expos. The longtime outfielder and first baseman divided his time between the Rockies (1,170 games), Expos (674 games) and Cardinals (144 games).
“It’s a hard decision, being a Canadian,” Walker said to reporters.
MLB TO TEST BUT NOT USE COMPUTER UMPS AT SPRING TRAINING » Major League Baseball will test computer plate umpires during spring training but will not use the system for decisions in any exhibition games.
MLB experimented with the automated balls and strikes system during the second half of last season in the independent Atlantic League, and the Arizona Fall League used it for a few dozen games at Salt River Fields. The Major League Baseball Umpires Association agreed last month to cooperate and assist if commissioner Rob Manfred decides to utilize the system at the major league level.
Plate umpires hear the computerized ball/strike calls via earpieces. The human umps decide on checked swings and other plays.
ROYALS SIGN VETERAN OF ALEX GORDON » The Kansas City Royals signed outfielder Alex Gordon to a $4 million contract for next season, giving the rebuilding club a veteran presence in what is expected to be a young lineup under new manager Mike Matheny.
The 35-year-old Gordon, a threetime All-Star, won his seventh Gold Glove last season to move within one of Frank White for the most in franchise history. He committed just one error in 146 games played in the outfield. His seven outfield assists tied him for third among big league left fielders.
WIETERS FINALIZES $2 MILLION DEAL WITH CARDINALS » Matt Wieters finalized a $2 million, one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, a deal that brought back the 33-year-old to again back up Yadier Molina.
Golf
MCILROY EYES NO. 1 AGAIN » Rory McIlroy on Wednesday said he has achieved everything he ever wanted to on the golf course and that success gives him the freedom to play an aggressive style that could see him retake the world No. 1 position this week.
McIlroy, who makes his season debut at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego today, said he reflected on his approach to the game after narrowly missing the cut at the British Open in Royal Portrush in July.
“I basically said to myself after Portrush, I’m 30 years old, I have basically achieved everything that I’ve wanted to achieve in the game, so why would I be careful?” he said.
“Why would I not go out there with the most carefree attitude and think everything beyond this is just gravy.
“That’s something that I’ve learned, that’s the mindset that I’m going to try to replicate each and every time that I tee it up.”
McIlroy, No. 2 in the world rankings, can retake the top position from Brooks Koepka with a win at the tournament this week. McIlroy last held the position in September 2015.
Soccer
TORONTO FC’S BRADLEY HAS ANKLE SURGERY » Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley underwent surgery on his right ankle Tuesday night, with the 32-year-old midfielder expected to return to full fitness in approximately four months.
The injury occurred during the team’s MLS Cup loss to the Seattle Sounders on Nov. 10.
High schools
LEGENDARY DEMATHA COACH WOOTTEN DIES AT 88 » Hall of Fame member Morgan Wootten, one of the winningest boys’ high school basketball coaches of all time, died at his Maryland home on Tuesday. He was 88.
Wootten transformed DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, into a national powerhouse. He retired in 2002 after compiling a remarkable record of 1,274192 (.869) over 46 years.
Wootten never had a losing season and won at least 30 games in 10 different seasons. Graduates of his program who went on to the NBA included Adrian Dantley, Sidney Lowe, Danny Ferry, Kenny Carr, Mike Brey and Adrian Branch.
In 2000, Wootten was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
College football
HAWAII HIRES FORMER ARIZONA STATE COACH» Hawaii hired former Arizona State coach Todd Graham to lead the Rainbow Warriors. Graham replaces Nick Rolovich, who left Hawaii after four seasons to become Washington State head coach. The Warriors are coming off a 10-5 season in which they appeared in the Mountain West championship game for the first time.
With the Sun Devils, Graham was 46-32 and 31-23 in the Pac-12 with five bowl appearances in six seasons.
WNBA
LYNX STAR MAYA MOORE OPTS TO STAY ON HIATUS FROM LEAGUE » Minnesota Lynx star Maya Moore will sit out a second straight WNBA season to continue her push for criminal justice reform. Moore told The New York Times of her choice to stay off the court for 2020.
Head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve said Wednesday in a statement issued by the club that the Lynx have “been in frequent contact” with Moore over the last year and praised her “fully engaged” effort in criminal justice reform and ministry.
“We are proud of the ways that Maya is advocating for justice and using her platform to impact social change,” Reeve said.