A big player in the big city
By Chris Tropeano
Mets Magazine

When some batters swing, you can just hear the difference.

There is a sharp, loud cracking sound that resonates throughout a ballpark when a baseball meets the sweet spot of a bat in perfect harmony. It meets the sweet spot of a bat in perfect harmony. It is a very distinctive sound, a sound that can make fans rise from their seats and gaze toward the outfield upon hearing it. That solid “thwacking” can be heard on a regular basis when the Mets’ new outfielder Cliff Floyd is taking his swings.

The 30 year old outfielder has made a living by scorching the baseball and is ready to help put the Mets in the thick of things come September in the NL East.

“His ball comes off the bat in a special way - it just jumps off the bat,” said manager Art Howe. “When Cliff hits the ball, it gets out there in a hurry. He certainly can put a charge into the baseball.”

The All-Star outfielder has been putting charges into the baseball for the past five seasons, accumulating a .297 batting average and 114 home runs over that span. Essentially a line-drive hitter. Floyd has the power to pop out 30 home runs in a season, as evidenced by this 2001 season, when he ripped 31 home runs as a member of the Florida Marlins. He has the reputation of punishing opposing pitchers and has already earned the praise of some of his new teammates.

“Cliff is an outstanding hitter,” said Mike Piazza. “He’s one of those guys who I feel hasn’t reached his full potential yet. That’s not to put any pressure on him; he’s just going to get better.”

Floyd will certainly be in position conducive to his reaching that full potential. Batting in between two potential Hall of Famers - Mike Piazza and Roberto Alomar - Cliff should have the opportunity to see a healthy of hittable pitches.

“Mike (Piazza) always told me, ‘Why don’t you come play on my teams?’” Floyd recalled. “I told him, ‘I’d love to. I’ll hit behind you, in front of you, whatever you want.’ Well, here we are.”

It did not take long into the season for Cliff to get going. In the second game of 2003, Floyd smoked a Matt Clement fastball over the rightfield fence that took about two seconds to exit the ballpark. The two-run home run was his first as a Met, and sent the teams on its way to its first victory of the season.

“Mets fans are knowledgeable fans. When you can contribute to a victory and hear them chanting your name - that’s something I look forward to doing again and again,” said Floyd.
One thing is certain: When Cliff is standing in the batter’s box, his intentions are to hit the ball and hit the ball hard. He begins with his hands stretched up and then quickly snaps them down into hitting position, as if he is cocking a weapon, taking aim and getting ready to explode on the ball.

Floyd has a long, fluid swing that just glides through the strike zone and, unlike many power-hitting outfielders, he has the ability to shorten his swing to ensure contact, especially with two strikes. He also possesses the skill of being able to hit the ball to all parts of the field, making him difficult to pitch to and keeping his average consistently in the .300 range.

“In the beginning of my career I had that high, looping swing, and I would get a lot of those high, flyball home runs. I never hit the line drives I hit now,” said Floyd.
His ability to lace line drives into the gap has helped him compile three seasons with 40 or more doubles and 90 or more RBI during his career. “My career high is 31 home runs, and I won’t be disappointed is that is still my best after this season. I think I can hit for average, hit doubles, run… I can do more than just hit the ball over the fence to help us win.”

General Manager Steve Phillips was thrilled this off-season when he got the call from Floyd’s agent alerting him that Cliff was extremely interested in coming to New York to play for the Mets. The call prompted the organization to sign the sweet-swinging lefty to a four-year contract.

Floyd’s physique and desire to win had his new General Manager gushing. “Cliff keeps maturing as a hitter, and I think we are getting him at the perfect times in his career,” said Phillips. “I think his power numbers may continue to climb; not too many parks can contain this guy.”

“This is a great place for me,” stated Floyd. “I’ve got security - four years is a lot of security these days. Plus, I’ve got a team that wants to win and has what is takes to win. These guys want to win every game and the fans want it, too. I haven’t been in a good place like this before.”

The Chicago native is donning new threads for the fourth time in the past two seasons, having played withy the Marlins, Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox last year. The low-key slugger was bounced around from team to team and league to league and never truly found his comfort zone. Despite the uncertainly of not knowing where he might be playing the next day, Floyd still posted solid numbers, finishing the season batting .288 with 28 home runs, 43 doubles, 86 runs and 79 RBI.

“Last year was just crazy,” said Floyd. “It was the worst time of my life, constantly wondering what would happen next. I had never encountered anything like that before. But sometimes, you go through things that make you aware of the really good things in life.”

It appears as if Cliff’s tour of baseball teams has come to a screeching halt, and he is ready to let the good times begin. Obviously, there will be a period of adjustment to new teammates, new fans and a new stadium, but he is happy to finally be settled in a city that is passionate about baseball.

Despite his reputation for being a man who avoids the spotlight, let alone the bright lights of a big city, Floyd relishes the fact that he is now a New Yorker.

“To be in New York is a dream come true for me,” said Floyd. “You can’t get better than this. You miss out on what the game is about when you don’t play meaningful games in front of big crowds.”

Cliff made an impression on the Shea crowds rather quickly with his bat and glove. He has been patrolling leftfield with success and has displayed a cannon of an arm. The 6-4, 240-pound outfielder has prved to be quick enough to cover ground in left and has thrown out three runners trying to advance bases over the first 13 games of the season. The three outfield assists led the team in the first two weeks of the season. Since then, opposing runners have thought twice before attempting to test Floyd’s arm.

“He brings a lot of tools to the table both offensively and defensively,” said Howe. “We look forward to watching Cliff progress in all facets of the game this season, and to be a main contributor towards our common goal.”

The Mets’ common goal this season is to return to the winning ways of the glorious years of the past. With the addition of Cliff Floyd, the Mets feel they’re one step closer to the ultimate prize. “I am ready to be a winner,” said Floyd. “I’m looking to have a big finish to my career.” What better place for a big finish than New York? (go to list)