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Hyannis Mets Look for More Success in 2004

05/27/2004 4:39 PM

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for immediate release: 27 May, 2004

Hyannis Mets Look for more Success in 2004


HYANNIS, Mass. -- Buoyed by their second playoff appearance in the past four years, the Hyannis Mets welcome back three starters and a new field manager in 2004.

     Last season, the Go-Go Mets led the league in stolen bases (73), were fourth in runs scored (162) and third in team batting (.236). They set a team record with a .972 fielding percentage and their 47 errors were the least in team history.

     Fleet center fielder Sam Fuld enjoyed a spectacular summer for the Mets, leading the league in on-base percentage (.450), while finishing second (.361) behind league leader J.C. Holt of Brewster in batting. Speedy Jonathan Tucker tied for the lead in stolen bases (16), while pacing league second basemen in fielding (.977) and assists (134). Others enjoying solid seasons were outfielder Ben Harrison (.325 BA), first baseman Ryan Baty (.274) and reliever Austin Tubb (team-record 10 saves).

     The Mets play their 29th Cape League season this summer, with home games at newly-renovated McKeon Park in downtown Hyannis, just a tape measure home run from historic Hyannis Harbor.

     During the off-season, Hyannis hired new field manager Greg King, head coach at Thomas College. He led Thomas to NAIA New England titles in 2001 and 2003 and was twice named Maine Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. King has held assistant coaching positions in the Cape League with Harwich, Y-D, and most recently Cotuit in 2003. King replaces Keith Stohr, hired as full-time scout for the Chicago Cubs.

    Three important cogs to the Hyannis Mets’ success return for the ’04 campaign, including slick-fielding shortstop Justin Tordi (Florida), RHP Mark Sauls and LHP Graham Taylor (Miami). Last summer, Tordi led all CCBL shortstops in fielding percentage (.958) and putouts (70) and improved his hitting this spring for the Gators. Sauls finished strong last season, compiling a 1-2 record with a sparkling 2.38 ERA along with a two-hit, 8-0 shutout win over Bourne in the playoffs. Taylor posted a 2-0 record with a 1.14 ERA for the Mets last summer. Top newcomers are expected to be pitcher-first baseman Mike Costanzo (Coastal Carolina) and fleet outfielder Jay Miller (Washington State).

     For the third straight season, the Mets play 20 regular season home games at McKeon Park and also take their show on the road with home games at Tom Nevers Field on Nanucket Island vs. the Y-D Red Sox, June 22 at 2 p.m. and at Fenton Field in Sandwich, July 11 at 7 p.m against the Wareham Gatemen. 

     There are several notable Hyannis Mets alumni playing in the major leagues, including Texas Rangers manager Buck Showalter, Boston Red Sox catchers Jason Varitek and Doug Mirabelli, right-handed hurlers Matt Morris of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kris Benson of the Pittsburgh Pirates, hard-hitting Pat Burrell of the Philadelphia Phillies and third baseman Eric Hinske of the Toronto Blue Jays.

John Garner, Jr.
CCBL Director of
Public Relations & Broadcasting
(508) 790-0394 [email protected]