Mets’ Minaya apologizes to beat reporter
July 31, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Mets general manager Omar Minaya apologized to a beat reporterfor questioning his motives and credibility during a bizarre news conference.The writer accepted, saying the GM’s “remorse was sincere.”
Minaya said Thursday he had a good meeting with New York Daily News reporterAdam Rubin a day earlier. But the GM didn’t retract his remarks when askedrepeatedly if he stood by his critical comments Monday while announcing thefiring of executive Tony Bernazard.
“Me and Adam had a conversation, we had a conversation that stays betweenus,” Minaya said in the Mets’ dugout before New York split a day-nightdoubleheader against Colorado. “I’m very comfortable that in the conversationand my apology to Adam, and, as I said before, those are comments that I shouldnot have made.”
In a statement posted on the Daily News’ Web site, Rubin said: “Iappreciated Omar traveling into Manhattan on Wednesday to meet with me inperson. His remorse was sincere. I’ve accepted his apology and I am ready tocontinue my job as Mets beat writer for the Daily News.”
Minaya’s job security has come into question in the wake of a series ofembarrassing articles written by Rubin about Bernazard, a top Minaya lieutenantand longtime friend.
After announcing Bernazard’s dismissal Monday, Minaya said Rubin had“lobbied” him and others in the front office, including Bernazard, for a jobin player development. Rubin denied he had asked Minaya for a job and insistedhe had merely sought career advice.
Minaya said Thursday he let his emotions get to him and felt bad about hisremarks.
“I should have never talked about those things that day,” he said. “Ishould’ve never said those things and that’s what I told Adam and I apologize.”
Asked whether he believes Rubin was trying to get a job with the Mets, hesaid: “My thoughts were what they were. For me to think those things, thosethoughts were wrong.”
Minaya also apologized to the club’s owners and fans, admitting thesituation had become a distraction. Chief operating officer Jeff Wilponacknowledged Tuesday that Minaya made a mistake by singling out Rubin. Wilponsaid Minaya would remain the GM but also put him on notice, saying “ownershipis not happy with the direction of the team.”
The front-office mess had cast a shadow over an encouraging week for theMets, who have won five of six heading into a four-game series against Arizona.New York also received a couple of encouraging reports about their injured starsover the past couple of days.
Center fielder Carlos Beltran(notes), on the disabled list since June 22 with abone bruise on his right knee, said Wednesday he hopes to return in two to threeweeks. Gary Sheffield(notes) (strained right hamstring) is expected to be ready whenhe’s eligible to come off the DL this weekend, and former closer Billy Wagner(notes)could start a rehab assignment Saturday after missing the entire seasonfollowing elbow surgery.
“I heard he was pitching awfully well,” manager Jerry Manuel said.
Noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews also confirmed the original diagnosis ofshoulder weakness for right-hander John Maine(notes), who will continue his rehabprogram at the club’s spring facility in Florida.
Manuel wasn’t anticipating any major moves ahead of Friday’s non-waivertrade deadline but Minaya said he was continuing to work the phones, even withthe controversy swirling around him.
“I’ve been calling around. We have some ideas,” he said. “The fact is itis a distraction but as far as on the baseball side for the past couple of daysI’ve been talking to teams.”
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