Mets strike first

Okay, the Mets strike first as in they have secured first base. I mean, the first base coaching box.

On the first day of free agency, the Mets made a move that wasn't going to stop the presses, or even the blogs. The Mets completed their coaching staff for 2009, finally naming a first base coach to succeed Ken Oberkfell, who succeeded Tom Nieto. It's Luis Alicea, who served in a similar capacity with the Red Sox for the last two years. Actually, it looks from the photo like Manny Ramirez owes him one - so maybe it's not such a small move after all.

Here's the release:

Manager Jerry Manuel completed the New York Mets’ coaching staff today by naming Luis Alicea the team’s first base coach.

 

For the last two years, Alicea was the first base coach for the Boston Red Sox. Luis also was a manager in the Red Sox minor league system for three seasons. He directed Lowell (A) of the New York-Penn League from 2004-2005, Greenville (A) of the South Atlantic League in 2006 and Peoria of the Arizona (A) Fall League, also in 2006

 

Luis, 43, a native of Santurce, PR, played in the major leagues for 13 years with the St. Louis Cardinals (1988, 1991-1994 and 1996), Boston Red Sox (1995), Anaheim Angels (1997), Texas Rangers (1998-2000) and the Kansas City Royals (2001-2002).  He compiled a .260 batting average with 47 home runs and 422 RBI in 1,341 games.

 

Primarily a second baseman, he also saw action at the other three infield spots and in the outfield during his big league career. Luis, a switch hitter, experienced his best season in the majors with the Rangers in 2000, establishing career highs with a .294 bating average, 139 games, 85 runs, 159 hits and 63 RBI. In 1992 with the Cardinals, he ranked fourth in the National League with 11 triples. In 1995, Alicea hit .270 and was the Red Sox regular second baseman, helping them capture the American League East Division crown.

 

Luis was St. Louis’ first round pick in the 1986 First Year Player Draft. He earned first team All-America honors at Florida State University in 1986.

 

Alicea joins Dan Warthen (pitching), Howard Johnson (hitting), Sandy Alomar, Sr. (bench); Razor Shines (third base), Randy Niemann (bullpen) and Sandy Alomar, Jr. (catching instructor) on the Mets coaching staff.