PORT ST. LUCIE — Because the Mets undergo one other spring coaching hoping it’s the starting of a championship season, they’ve introduced again a member of their final World Sequence-winning staff.
Mookie Wilson joined Mike Piazza as a visitor teacher in camp this week, working with the outfielders throughout exercises and sharing his wealth of data.
“I’m simply making an attempt to maintain from pulling a hammy out right here,” Wilson mentioned with amusing at Clover Park. “However simply being on a ballfield, you get excited. You begin having flashbacks. … I’m so joyful to be on the sphere once more, sharing no matter data that I’ve, no matter perception — granted that ain’t a complete lot — however I’m prepared to share what I do have.”
Wilson mentioned he’s nonetheless attending to know loads of the gamers — partly due to new additions to the roster and in addition as a result of the pandemic had stored him from latest camps — however for these comfy with selecting his mind about his time with the Mets, he’s greater than prepared to assist.
“I welcome it,” mentioned Wilson, who performed for the Mets from 1980-89. “Just a few guys that I’ve spoken to, I allow them to know, it’s a distinct animal taking part in in New York. It’s a distinct animal altogether. Loads of occasions it’s not all about your efficiency. As soon as gamers perceive that, I believe they’ll adapt to New York a complete lot simpler.”
Along with Wilson and Piazza, former Mets Al Leiter and David Wright are additionally scheduled to function visitor instructors earlier than camp breaks.
“I believe it’s necessary to us,” supervisor Buck Showalter mentioned. “There are lots of guys to choose from. You’ll see different guys as we go ahead. A few of it was COVID and a few of them mentioned no and a few of them weren’t comfy with the place they had been with the vaccinations. We had been fortunate to get an incredible group. Al’s coming and David’s coming. He’ll be with us for that final a part of spring, so trying ahead to seeing him.
“Mookie’s getting after it. He’s finished this earlier than. It doesn’t shock anyone. He all the time uplifts the room when he walks in.”
As for his perspective on this yr’s version of the Mets, Wilson was appreciative of the velocity they added in Starling Marte, who led the majors with 47 stolen bases final yr.
“For lack of a greater time period, the one flaw that we had the previous couple years is we had been one-dimensional,” Wilson mentioned. “Velocity is a superb asset to have. It covers up lots of errors, however it could additionally provide you with one other aspect. We don’t should have 4 hits to attain a run.”
