David Cone earned $12 million, went 4-14 with a 6.91 ERA and pitched in front of one of the most demanding audiences in professional sports last season. Yet, Cone was so beloved for his past contributions to the Yankees, he was not booed often or with much passion by the Stadium crowd.
That’s all about to change. Now Cone will be wearing the uniform that inspires hatred and he will wear it after saying no to the Yankees.
Cone long ago rejected the Yankees’ offer of a $500,000 guarantee and decided to seek employment elsewhere. He found it in Boston.
Cone and the Red Sox reached agreement on a non-guaranteed contract that could pay Cone close to $5 million if he reaches all the incentives in the deal.
Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette added fuel to the ever-hot rivalry by saying, “He wants to beat the Yankees. Why else would he sign with the Red Sox?”
Agent Steve Fehr modified Duquette’s sentiments, saying, “I think it added a little bit of sex appeal to the equation because the notion of pitching against the Yankees at Fenway Park was very appealing, but this should not be termed the revenge of David Cone.”
Going into last season’s disaster, Cone had a 60-26 regular season record with the Yankees. He takes a 184-116 lifetime record into this season.
Fehr said the Red Sox became serious players for Cone in the past week and Cone became sold on them when he was impressed with the advice he received from pitching coach Joe Kerrigan, who, with manager Jimy Williams, watched Cone work out late last week in Florida.
The Royals talked to Cone about becoming their closer before dealing for Roberto Hernandez. The Rangers, at the urging of franchise player Alex Rodriguez, talked to Cone about joining their thin rotation and the Expos also courted the veteran who once pitched a perfect game at the Stadium against the Expos.
In the end, Cone opted for the Yankees’ chief rival. As always, it wasn’t about the money.
“It was the comfort level of the manager and the pitching coach, which was a major part of the decision,” Fehr said. “He turned down more money elsewhere. This is where he wanted to be.”
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The Yankees announced their 2001 coaching staff: Hitting coach Gary Denbo and catching instructor Tom Nieto, both promoted from the minors, join holdovers Tony Cloninger, Lee Mazzilli, Willie Randolph, Mel Stottlemyre and Don Zimmer. Nieto, manager of Class A Tampa the past two seasons, replaces Bob Didier, who returns to his past role as advance scout. Denbo, who has worked closely with Jeter since the All-Star shortstop was drafted by the Yankees, replaces canned Chris Chambliss.
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John Franco has seen so many relievers come and go through the bullpen gate at Shea Stadium, but he has no plans to bid farewell to pal Armando Benitez, the man who turned Franco from a closer into a setup man.
Benitez has had a rough offseason, having been accused by his former fiancee, Stacey O’Neill, of punching her in the face and scratching her. Benitez is scheduled for a fact-finding day in court Jan. 24 in Baltimore.
“I’m sure everything will turn out OK for Armando,” Franco said. “Armando’s the closer and I’m the setup man. Nothing has changed there.”
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The Mets acquired the left-hander they have been pursuing for so long.
His name?
Drum roll, please.
No, not David Wells. Tom Martin.
A reliever, Martin split last season between the Indians and Triple A Buffalo. Martin, 30, went 1-0, 4.05 in 31 games for the Indians. The Mets surrendered minor league catcher Javier Ochoa to get Martin.