As Joe Janish noted, this was buried at the bottom of Adam Rubin’s game story from Sunday, but it’s a fairly big deal.
Both Mako Oliveras and Julio Franco have been fired as minor-league coaches.
Oliveras managed Double-A Binghamton and Franco was at the helm of the Gulf Coast League team.
Interesting. Who’s going to be left after all these firings? And who is going to fill those holes?
This morning, Joe Budd over at Amazin’ Avenue (one of my favorite Mets sites), wrote this “Where did Kirk Nieuwenhuis come from? If I thought it was hard to learn how to spell Francoeur, it's going to be a nightmare season if Nieuwenhuis becomes something.”
Which got me thinking about weird names. And off the top of my head, I could think of a few strangely named Mets players (at the major and minor league level). Here’s a rough list…
Mets
Jeff Francoeur – OF - I know his family is French, but I’m just not used to the combination of “c-o-e-u-r” and don’t think I ever will be. I always think I spell his name wrong.
Omir Santos – C - “Omar” would be one thing. “Omir” is something different. Only 208 people pop up with the name Omir on Facebook.
Tobi Stoner – P - I mean…come on!
Bisons
Ricky Bones – Coach – This guy?
Derrick Ellison – P – There are too many letters in the “Derek.”
Chip Ambres – OF – Anyone (nick)named “Chip” must have been mocked in middle school.
B-Mets
Mako Oliveras – Manager – What is he, a shark?
Emary Frederick – P – Um…Emary? I don’t even know where that comes from. Heck, he’s from Florida!
John Madden – P – BOOM! FOOTBALL!
German Marte – P – Have you met his brother, Polish? They used to not get along, but now they’re OK.
Jenrry Mejia – P – But hey, he’s good.
Elvys Quezada – P – Was he named for The King?
Kirk Nieuwenhuis – OF – Is that “new-when-house” or…um…something?
St. Lucie
Tim Teufel – Manager – I always found this name funny. Like he’s a character on a children’s show or something.
Reese Havens – IF – Yum.
Brahiam Maldonado – OF – I will name my first child Brahiam. Just don’t tell my future wife.
Sand Gnats
Jimmy Johnson – P – Nice hair.
Jean Luc Blaquiere – C – Oui oui!
Imbewer Alvarez – IF – I’ve got nothing here. I’ve never seen this name before. Ever.
Cyclones
Dock Doyle – C – Awesome name.
Jordany Valdespin – IF – I’m going to go by “Andrewy” from now on. Just add a “y” to your name and you can be equally cool.
Kingsport
Yohan Almonte – P – If he ends up half as good as Johan, I’ll be happy.
Guillaume Leduc – P – Another name I can’t pronounce. Is that “Gee-yam-me”?
GCL
ZeErika Hall – OF – I knew he existed, but I just couldn’t find him on any of the rosters. He was drafted this year. And he may have the greatest name of them all. (H/T to Ted Berg, a.k.a. OGTedBerg) – Update: Further investigations finds him on the roster of the Gulf Coast League affiliate.
Jeurys Familia – P – Sounds like a really bad television show on Univision. And let me tell you, there is some quality programming on that channel.
Lachlan Hodge – P – Lachlan spends his free time hunting kangaroos in the brush down under.
Jimber Mueses – P – My goodness. This GCL team might beat out the B-Mets for greatest names.
Nelfi Zapata – C – Anyone named Nelfi is OK in my book.
Aderlin Rodriguez – IF – Aderlin! Aderlin! Aderlin!
Wilfredo Tovar – IF – By far my favorite name.
Ray Van Gurp – IF – No, this is my favorite.
Marinus Vernooij – IF – Actually, it’s this one.
There were a few others along the way that I snickered at, but didn’t think belonged on the list. Did I miss anyone? How about some historic silly Mets names? Let’s hear them in the comments.
Tobi Stoner, a 24-year-old righthander, is expected to be called up to the Mets for Tuesday’s game at Citi Field, reports Adam Rubin.
Stoner went 9-9 between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Buffalo this season. He went 2-2 with Binghamton and 7-7 with Buffalo.
He compiled a 3.55 ERA and a 1.154 WHIP in 144 2-3 innings. He allowed 14 home runs while striking out 92 and walking 47.
Stoner is likely up for insurance purposes, as John Maine is starting in the second game of a doubleheader on Sunday. Maine is coming back from a long stint on the DL with shoulder issues.
Does anyone else foresee a whole lot of “Stoner” jerseys selling out?
This is one for the ages.
A source tells the Daily News that Mets VP Tony Bernazard attempted to fight players from the Double-A Binghamton Mets, and removed his shirt in the process.
It’s so weird I can’t even process this, so I’ll leave it to Adam Rubin to fill you in.
Bernazard particularly went after middle infield prospect Jose Coronado, using a slang term associated with a woman's anatomy, a source indicated. The confrontation happened about 10 days before the All-Star break, according to insiders.
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GM Omar Minaya acknowledged Bernazard spoke to the B-Mets in a "stern voice," but said he had no knowledge of the scope being portrayed."I know he did have a team meeting with them," Minaya told the Daily News. "It was not a 'you-guys-have-been-great meeting.' I know he spoke to them in a stern voice. But as far as what he was wearing, what kind of shoes he was wearing, I don't know anything about that."
Um…what?
Rubin goes on to note that Bernazard recently verbally attacked his deputy during a recent game at Citi Field.
For the whole story, head over to the Daily News. Prepare to shake your head in disbelief and mutter things to yourself about Bernazard and the Mets.
Brad Holt was drafted 33rd overall by the New York Mets last season. Today, just days away from this years amateur draft, Holt has been promoted to Double-A Binghamton.
Holt is 9-4 in 22 career professional starts. In 2009, he’s 4-1 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.049 WHIP with Advanced-A St. Lucie.
According to Adam Rubin, Mets officials say Holt is on a similar path that Mike Pelfrey took to the major leagues. Hopefully he doesn’t take as many lumps once he makes it to the MLB level.
Holt makes his first start for Binghamton on Friday.
Will Sommer from MetsFansForever.com recently sat down with Josh Thole, one of the Mets top catching prospects. Thole is currently playing for the Double-A Binghamton Mets.
Will Sommer
Now last season, you were basically a full-time first baseman. Has the transition from first base to catcher been difficult for you?Josh Thole
No it hasn’t been that difficult at all. It definitely takes a lot more time and a lot more work and a lot more preparation but I feel like I’m picking all that up pretty easily and I’m having no issue with that.
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Will Sommer
Growing up did you ever envision that you would be where you are right now?Josh Thole
I mean it’s definitely a dream when you’re a little kid but you just never know where that dream’s going to take you, so I never knew what to expect. But this is something I always wanted to do since I’ve been really little.
To read the rest of the Q&A, head over to MetsFansForever.com.
