The New York Mets have announced the long coaching search is over. Highly sought after Eric Graham agreed to a one year, $100,000 contract this morning. Rumors were he might go to the bayside and coach the Oakland Athletics, but after a meeting with Mets GM Joe McIlvaine, those talks broke down and Graham agreed to come to New York.
"We believe this is the right guy- he understands the responsibility of managing this team, and the pressures that come with New York." Graham will inherit a team that finished 71-91 last year, and has had a losing record since 1991. "We got this.... strong lineup, decent pitching; no excuses this year, losing teams make excuses...were not a losing team anymore"
Graham will be introduced during a press conference, shortly thereafter spring training will commence. The fans expectations are already sky high for the 97' campaign. "I'm not guaranteeing a championship this early" Graham declared, shortly after being reached by New York media.
The Mets encourage fans to come out and meet the new team and skipper during spring training. The mets schedule opens up against the San Diego Padres, who were equally awful last year (75-87)
