Alderson to step down as the Mets president

Sandy Alderson will step down as president of the New York Mets when the team finds his replacement. The 74-year-old Alderson, a cancer survivor who has served two stints as New York’s general manager, will move to a new role as special advisor to owners Steve and Alex Cohen and the senior leadership team.

The first-place Mets announced the plans Thursday before hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates on Roberto Clemente Day in Major League Baseball. Alderson was the Mets’ general manager from 2010 to 2018.

He returned to the club as president when Cohen bought the team in November 2020 and assumed general manager responsibilities running baseball operations once again for a while before Billy Eppler was hired as GM last offseason.

“For me personally and for the organization, it’s the right time for this transition,” Alderson said in a statement. “We are having a successful season, we have made several key additions to our senior leadership team and we have built a strong and forward-thinking culture. When the time comes, I am looking forward to continuing to support Steve, Alex and the organization in a new role.”

Etc.

The Tampa Bay Rays made major league history by starting nine Latin American players against the Toronto Blue Jays. It happened as baseball celebrated Roberto Clemente Day, honoring the late Hall of Fame outfielder from Puerto Rico. All nine players as well as base coaches Chris Prieto at first and Rodney Linares at third wore No. 21 to honor Clemente, who played 18 seasons with Pittsburgh.