Mets, Cedeño optimistic after '02 struggles
<a href=www.stamfordadvocate.com>Feeling Centered By Mark Herrmann STAFF CORRESPONDENT March 23, 2003
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. - While Roger Cedeño's defensive ability remains one of the biggest question marks in Mets camp, he believes he knows how to make a grab. After all, he caught hell all of last season.
He caught it from Mets fans, who recognized right away that he wasn't nearly living up to the four-year, $18-million contract he signed. He caught it as he walked to his car in the Shea Stadium parking lot. "They called me a --," he said. "I understand the fans were upset, but ... "
Cedeño knows he would have been finished if he had shouted back. He also knows he will be in line for more of the same this year, especially now that he has moved from leftfield - where he had an admittedly awful season - to the more prestigious and demanding role of centerfielder.
He knows all he can do is try. At least on that score, he has caught the Mets' attention in spring training.
"If you watch him out there, he's playing and having a good time," said Mets coach Gary Pettis, a former Gold Glove centerfielder who has worked hard with Cedeño, hitting him fungoes and giving him advice. "He's comfortable with what he's doing out there. That's the sign of being a good outfielder: becoming comfortable."
Added general manager Steve Phillips: "He and Gary have found a few technique areas to work on and that has allowed him to get more comfortable there. I've seen him much more confident defensively than I've seen him in the last several years. He's going to make a mistake here and there. Most everybody does. But I think overall we're going to be pretty happy with the results."
All of that might be wishful thinking, typical spring training optimism or positive spin on an optionless situation. Cliff Floyd and Jeromy Burnitz are strictly corner outfielders and the Mets believe they have to play Cedeño someplace because of their investment in him. One scout for an American League team said of the Cedeño centerfield experiment: "I don't think they're going to be able to play him there."
If nothing else, Cedeño has earned his club's admiration for his outlook and his production. He doubled in yesterday's 4-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves (one of only three hits against Mike Hampton) and his average is .348. Also, a good throw to the plate resulted in Javy Lopez getting caught in a rundown off second base.
If learning to keep your head up is a good trait for a centerfielder, Cedeño has made a big step in the right direction. He was smiling this past week, even after a root canal procedure, even after a winter during which he was shopped unsuccessfully by the Mets and arrested for driving under the influence.
"Sometimes things happen in a season. Things happen that you can't control," he said, thinking back to last year. "You try to concentrate. But it gets out of your hands."
As much as he knew he played poorly, the personal criticism stung.
"You know what's a good thing? This is why all the players love their families so much: It doesn't matter how bad we do, we can go 0-for-14, and we can come back home and see a wonderful smile. They say, 'Come on, you'll get it tomorrow.' That really gets in your heart."
He said he heard that from his wife and daughter, and in phone calls from his mother in Venezuela. "She would say, 'Hang in there. Come on, son, you know what you can do. Do what you have to do. Work hard.'"
That came from someone who never has seen him play in the big leagues. His mom doesn't like to leave Venezuela. "And she can't watch it on TV. She's too nervous," he said.
Cedeño insists the Mets won't have as much to be nervous about this year. "I can play centerfield. I came up as a centerfielder," he said, sounding a little like the John Fogerty song lyric he said he has never heard ("Look at me, I can be, Centerfield!"). He believes the Mets can win and that the fans will offer praise this year.
That, he will catch.
Today Mets vs. Braves 1 p.m. TV: FSNY Radio: WFAN (660)