Cameron, Floyd rested
Spencer makes first career start in center field
By Charlie Nobels / Special to MLB.com
05/30/2004

MIAMI -- The day after their collision in the outfield, neither Cliff Floyd nor Mike Cameron were in the Mets' lineup Sunday against the Marlins. Part of that was because fire-balling Josh Beckett started for Florida.

"It's tough enough if you're 100 percent to hit off this guy," Mets manager Art Howe said. "He's one of the better pitchers in the game, especially with his velocity. You've got to be ready."

Floyd, who came away with a stiff and bruised left hip from the collision with Cameron in Saturday night's first inning, was ruled out of Sunday's game by the team trainers.

Cameron, who has a bruised left shoulder, was considered before the game to be an option for a defensive role or as a pinch-hitter.

"The shoulder is part of your swing and that makes it tough to face a guy like Beckett," Howe said. "There's just no sense in putting him out there when, in my opinion, he's not 100 percent."

As it turned out, Beckett was forced to leave the game after just 2 2/3 innings with a blister on his right middle finger.

Floyd said he deferred to the Mets' pregame decision, in large part, because he didn't want to be a defensive liability.

"It wouldn't be fair to the pitchers," he said. But he left no doubt about his availability for Monday's game at Philadelphia.

"I'm definitely going to play tomorrow -- I don't care how bad it is," he said. Floyd acknowledged more soreness Sunday than he felt Saturday night.

"The things that didn't hurt yesterday are sore today," he said. "I think that's why it's important that I get out there and do something."

He slept on his back, which he said left him with sore buttocks, in addition to his legs.

Yet he slipped on his uniform and went out and took batting practice and threw some.

"When you hurt yourself, you can start being too cautious," he said. "You've got to put it out of your head and go play."

As for Cameron, who is hitting .197, he had to be prodded by the media to give a frank evaluation off his condition. Originally he said, "I'm good." Then he smiled and added, "I'll tell you that every day unless I'm flat on my back or something."

Cameron said the shoulder felt sore when he awoke, but that he could play.

"I look for opportunities to add on to my one-game hitting streak," he said with a smile. He went 1-for-4 in Saturday's game, with the hit coming in his last plate appearance.

Spencer in center: With Howe's decision to sit Cameron, the manager searched his roster for someone to play center field. Then he remembered that Shane Spencer, who's played the corner outfield positions, told him he could play center. And just like that, Spencer became the Mets' starting center fielder Sunday.

"Don't show the lineup to Steve," Spencer said with a chuckle, referring to starting pitcher Steve Trachsel. Spencer didn't want Trachsel to get nervous about his inexperience at the position.

Spencer did play center field in high school. He said he also played there extensively in the minor leagues and thought he last did it in the Majors in 1999. The Elias Sports Bureau has no such record of that happening, according to Mets VP of media reations Jay Horwitz.

"I feel I can play a lot of positions, and that's what I told [Howe]," Spencer said. "I've even pitched some, and caught."

From his perspective, Spencer believes left field is the most difficult outfield position to play. He said there are more power-hitting right-handed hitters who are capable of sending the ball to left with tough-to-gauge topspin.

Mets coach Gary Pettis, a former center fielder, was asked if he planned to give Spencer any advice about the position before the game.

"Just [to] catch the ball," Pettis said. "That's the same thing I would tell him playing left or right, too. Center field really is easier in that you're looking straight on at the ball. You should be able to get the same or better jump as you did in left or right."

In starting Spencer in center, Howe passed over Karim Garcia, who started instead in right. Garcia played center field just last season for both the Indians and Yankees. Howe didn't know that, but said, shrugging, "It's six of one, half dozen of the other."

Spencer, who stole two bases in a game recently, not bad for a stocky 220-pounder, was asked if he deceptively fast.

"No," he blurted. "But I get good jumps. Heck, [Marlins third baseman] Mike Lowell has three steals, and I know I'm faster than him."

Danny confident: Danny Garcia has been starting at second base most of the time for the Mets over the last five weeks, but there are plenty who view Garcia as simply a fill-in there until Jose Reyes is healthy. Garcia isn't among them.

"Look, I think I've shown I can play in the big leagues," he said, "and I'm going to have my shot. I'm not worried about [getting] my shot. I just want it to happen right now."

Garcia has shown some pop with two home runs and has driven in 11 runs with the Mets. And he stole a base Saturday -- his second of the season -- in eventually scoring one of the Mets' runs in a 3-2, 10-inning loss.

Yet almost everywhere he turns, he hears Reyes' name.

"I'm trying so hard not to concentrate on that," he said. "I've got so much on my own plate. All my focus has to be on the game we're playing that day. When that sun does come around and they have a decision to make, I'm not going to be part of the decision, anyway. So it's something I can't control."

Garcia is determined to do his part in making a win-win situation out of this for the Mets and himself. He is trying to certify beyond a doubt that he belongs in the Majors, making him more valuable to the Mets, either as a player or trade-bait.

"If he [Reyes] does come around and settle into the position, I'm sure they probably won't want me to be here anyway," Garcia said. "Maybe here in the next year or so I'll be some value to them, one way or the other."

Yet Garcia isn't assuming that Reyes will overcome the assorted hamstring and back problems that have plagued him this year.

"At this time I'm in their plans because there's not somebody who's settled in at the position," he said. "I might not be the top candidate, but I'm one of the candidates." (go to list)

Floyd day-to-day after collision
By Charlie Nobles / Special to MLB.com
05/29/2004

Cliff Floyd was able to walk off the field under his own power.

MIAMI -- Cliff Floyd felt fortunate to escape from a collision with teammate Mike Cameron in the first inning of Saturday night's game against the Marlins with seemingly minimal effect.

Floyd suffered a left quad contusion and Cameron a bruised left shoulder after they collided just after Floyd caught Jeff Conine's inning-ending fly ball in left-center field.

When first asked if he might be able to play in Sunday's game, Floyd said no. But then he hoped that his leg would feel better after a night's rest.

"If I can go on the field and manage to do a half-decent run, I'm playing," Floyd said, weary of having so many injuries. "At this point now, pin me up, whatever, I'm playing."

Mets manager Art Howe was also relieved that the collision wasn't worse.

"I just worried that it was a real serious," said Howe, who ran out to check on his players. "You have two pretty good size men hitting each other."

Floyd said he and Cameron had a miscommunication in the outfield against Colorado, allowing Jeremy Burnitz's fly ball to drop for a double, and he vowed that he would catch the next one in a similar situation.

"I said, 'This one ain't dropping,'" Floyd said. "Unfortunately I'm paying the price."

Floyd acknowledged that right after the collision, in which Cameron bent over so his shoulder collided with Floyd's hip, so many body parts hurt that he thought the worst. It was Floyd's first serious outfield collision, but he has been riddled with knee troubles throughot his career.

"I'm not hanging my head on it," he said. "I'm disappointed. I'm trying to figure -- why me? I'm not living bad. It's not like I'm playing ball by day and robbing people by night. I'm just tired of getting hurt so much."

Cameron, who stayed in the game, said he felt he'd been "hit by a car. I never got hit that hard in football," he said. (go to list)

Floyd leaves game after outfield collision with Cameron
Mets lose on 10th-inning homer
By Charlie Nobles / Special to MLB.com
05/29/2004

MIAMI -- The Mets lost another game to the Marlins on Saturday night, this one a heartbreaker, 3-2, in 10 innings. They felt fortunate that they didn't lose more.

The Mets got a major scare in the first inning, when Jeff Conine lofted a fly ball to deep left-center. Left fielder Cliff Floyd moved to his left to make the catch, just as center fielder Mike Cameron was moving to his right for the same purpose. Floyd clutched the ball just before the two bumped shoulders, with both falling hard to the ground.

Floyd held his left leg as he grimaced, while Cameron seemed dazed as he sat there, then propped himself up on one knee and looked down. Trainer Scott Lawrenson raced to help them, followed by manager Art Howe.

As it turned out, Floyd left the game with a contusion to his left quadricep, and was replaced by Shane Spencer. Cameron stayed in the game, despite a left shoulder bruise.

A raucous crowd of 31,325 would see the Marlins win in the 10th on Mike Lowell's one-out home run to left off Mets reliever Braden Looper. It came on a 1-0 pitch and left the Mets at 23-25.

Right-hander Jae Seo, who pitched well against the Marlins last season, showed the effects of having eight days of rest between starts, instead of the normal four. It clearly affected his control. He walked five batters in the six innings he worked -- one intentional -- though he used four double plays to hold the Marlins to two runs.

Seo walked the first three batters he faced, but then got Lenny Harris -- a journeyman inexplicably hitting cleanup -- to hit into a run-scoring double play. Seo then retired Conine on the fly ball that prompted the outfield collision.

Ty Wigginton then tied the game at 1 with his fifth home run. It was estimated to travel 374 feet to right field.

The Mets manufactured a run in the fourth to take a 2-1 lead. Danny Garcia led off with a single to right, stole second and moved to third on a groundout. Karim Garcia then hit a grounder to first baseman Hee Seop Choi, who arced a throw to pitcher Carl Pavano, allowing Garcia to beat it by half a step.

The Marlins tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Seo walked Conine to start the inning, then with one out, Seo hit Mike Redmond with a pitch. That brought up Alex Gonzalez, a .213 hitter coming into the game. Gonzalez promptly tattooed a shot off the left-field wall. Luckily for the Mets, the ball was hit so hard that only Conine could score and Gonzalez was held to a single.

Seo then got Pavano, trying to bunt, to hit into a catcher-to-third-to-first double play, with the second baseman covering.

Seo, who allowed five hits in the game, issued a two-out triple to Lowell in the fifth, but forced Harris to pop out to third.

The Mets stranded two runners against Pavano in the fifth when Danny Garcia struck out. Then the visitors loaded the bases in the sixth with one out and couldn't cash in. A single by Spencer and walks to Piazza and Wigginton brought up Vance Wilson, who fell behind 1-2 then hit a routine bouncer to shortstop to start an inning-ending double play.

The Mets also threatened in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Todd Zeile's one-out fly to left landed just several feet from the fence, causing a stir among the large number of Mets fans in attendance. Then Matsui tripled to right, only to see Danny Garcia ground out to short.

That was the Mets' last threat of the game. (go to list)

Floyd gives Mets healthy outlook
Baseball Perspectives
Tom Singer
05/27/2004

The Mets are 7-4 since Cliff Floyd returned to the lineup on May 13.

NEW YORK -- In the Majors, this so far has been a season straight out of Broadway. To be exact, "42nd Street," in which an understudy converts the star's absence into the break to stardom.

The Red Sox do without Nomar Garciaparra, Trot Nixon and now Bill Mueller, and the Angels are missing half their regular lineup, yet those teams share the American League's best record. In the other league, the Reds lead the Central despite only recently reuniting their starting outfield of Kearns, Junior, Dunn.

And on and on, best-laid plans have given way to "Boy, where would we be without so-and-so."

In Flushing, the Mets work on a different kind of Plan B. Their offseason optimism had been fanned by the high-profile acquisitions of Mike Cameron and Kaz Matsui, but their budding contention is being energized by a couple of old faces.

The outfielder from Seattle and the shortstop from Japan are in the parade, but leading it are Cliff Floyd and Mike Piazza, who only had to come from the doctor's office.

Teams spend offseasons loading up here and there, but not many can pick up a new Nos. 3-4 tandem for their lineup, which essentially is what the Mets did by nursing those two back to health.

Piazza is only one homer short of his total of 2003, when he was abducted by a groin injury. The apprentice first baseman is on a tear, approaching Barry Bonds levels in the eyes of at least one rival manager.

More on that later.

But it is Floyd who brings the biggest upgrade. Because he can still flash leather and cannon in the outfield. Because he can be a more forceful and vocal clubhouse leader. And because he swings from the left side.

But mostly because he's the one who has Piazza lurking over his shoulder, on deck. Teams can't afford to pitch around him. And if he exploits that, big innings can result.

"We did a study this past winter," says Jim Duquette, the Mets' general manager, "and I think we averaged two more runs a game when he was playing."

Which wasn't often enough. Hobbled by an Achilles injury he finally gave in to in mid-August, Floyd started only 94 games in his first Mets season.

Then, the high revival hopes for this season were spoiled six games in when a strained quad muscle shelved him for a month.

The Mets were 16-19 when Floyd finally made it back into the lineup on May 13.
He has driven in 13 runs in the 11 games since.

"I don't think it's a coincidence that we've played better since he's been back," Duquette says. "I don't want to put it all on Cliff's shoulders, but his presence has benefited the entire lineup."

Adds manager Art Howe, "Just look at the record since he's been back. He's tough with the game on the line. He'll be the first to say it's not about him, but he puts everyone in the right spot."

Sure enough, Floyd says it's about putting the Mets in the right spot, that being atop the NL East.

The recently-concluded two-game series with the Phillies felt right to Floyd, who signed with the Mets as a free agent in search of the vibes he felt those two nights from the Shea Stadium stands.

"This is why I came here," he said. "The fans were really into it, cheering everything."

Friday night, the Mets will at least visit the top of the division: they open a series in Florida, again a frontrunner after its World Series title season.

Miami of course was Floyd's home for half of his 11-season career. He expects to be reminded of it, often, during the weekend.

"I'm getting tired of hearing, 'Do you wish you were here?'" said Floyd, referring to his typical Pro Player Stadium greeting. "I'm happy here. The days of missing [the Marlins] are over.

"We're trying to beat up on them. We're trying to crush them."

This little May taste of September stretch-drive fever has turned up the clubhouse mood a notch.

The Mets are nurturing confidence, concocting a chemistry. They fall out of bed in the morning anticipating that night's game. "You wake up thinking about [what pitcher] you'll be facing," Floyd says.

Says Howe, "We believe in ourselves." Don't dismiss the power of belief. "Last year," Howe adds, "we believed the opposite" and the Mets were right 95 times.

Now, two big reasons for those negative thoughts are at the pulpit of positive thinking.

"I know I've been able to come back," Floyd says, nodding across the clubhouse, "but Mike is a big building block as far as everything around here is concerned."

Maybe so big, only people in San Francisco can truly appreciate it.

Consider this exchange during the eighth inning of Wednesday night's game, between Phillies manager Larry Bowa and his left-handed reliever, Rheal Cormier. The Phillies led 6-3, but the bases were loaded with Mets so Piazza came to bat representing the lead run.

Cormier: "What do you want to do with him?"

Bowa: "I don't give a shout-out if you walk in a run."

Cormier walked Piazza on four straight wide ones, moving the tying runs into tying position virtually intentionally.

After the game, Bowa was still shrugging. "When Piazza steps in the batter's box, the ballpark gets real small." (go to list)

Floyd, Matsui save day for Mets
New York gets to Isringhausen to win in ninth
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
05/18/2004

"I can't explain it. It's just a great feeling," Cliff Floyd said of clinching the win.

NEW YORK -- Welcome home Cliff Floyd.

The New York left fielder made his first Shea Stadium appearance of the season a memorable one Tuesday night, driving in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth off St. Louis closer Jason Isringhausen. Floyd fought off a cutter and fisted a looping line drive into right field to complete a comeback from a three-run deficit, lifting New York to a 5-4 victory before 28,880 fans.

The victory, New York's second straight and fifth in six games, combined with Florida's 9-2 loss to Houston, leaves the Mets 2 1/2 games out of first place in the National League East. The win, which pulled Art Howe's club to within a game of .500 (19-20), also represented New York overcoming its largest deficit of the season.

"It's a great feeling," Floyd said. "I can't explain it. It's just a great feeling. It's awesome. I always wondered what that would feel like because I never do it. But there's nothing like it."

St. Louis had taken a 4-3 lead into the ninth inning and with Isringhausen on the mound, appeared to be in a position of strength. But like they did Sunday with Houston's Octavio Dotel, the Mets knocked around the opposing starter in stunning fashion. New York used the long ball Sunday but played small ball this time around in winning in its final at-bat for the sixth time this season.

Mike Cameron drew a walk to lead off the ninth and went to second on Joe McEwing's sacrifice. Karim Garcia came on to pinch-hit for Ricky Bottalico, who earned his first win with the Mets after pitching two scoreless innings, and also drew a walk. Isringhausen fanned Eric Valent, but Kazuo Matsui shattered his bat on an Isringhausen cutter, sending the ball over first baseman Albert Pujols' head and into right field for the game-tying hit.

Floyd followed by doing the same, pointing to the sky as he ran down the line. While his game-winning hit will get the play, the two-run homer he had in the sixth inning off Matt Morris was just as important because it cut a three-run lead down to one, putting him in the position to play hero in the ninth.

"We believe in one another," Floyd said. "When things are going well it's contagious. We feed off one another. "

Since returning from the disabled list in Arizona last Thursday, Floyd is hitting .304 (7-for-23) with two homers and eight RBIs. Though Floyd said New York's recent success isn't a result of his return, "Trust me, it ain't me," his teammates beg to differ.

"It was a great opportunity to get the big guy up there," Cameron said. "It was a big knock by the big guy. Two big knocks by the big guy tonight. He's been the horse. Hopefully we can ride him and his legs won't get tired.

"The most important thing is that he provides a presence, a big presence. He answers the bell every time he gets up and that's big. He's been swinging the bat well."

The bottom of the ninth was also made possible because of what Jason Phillips did defensively in the top of the ninth. Colin Porter led off with a pinch-hit single but when Marlon Anderson tried to bunt him over, he popped one up a few feet down the third base line. Phillips leapt out from behind the plate, snagged the ball, turned and fired to McEwing who was covering first for a stunning double play.
"That double play on the bunt was kind of a momentum shifter," manager Art Howe said.

Floyd's heroics also took Tom Glavine off the hook. The veteran southpaw got off to a rough start, allowing three runs in the first two innings before settling down. Glavine surrendered a two-out single to Albert Pujols in the first before Scott Rolen doubled on an 0-2 pitch to give the Cards the lead. Jim Edmonds followed with a single on a 3-2 pitch and St. Louis had a two-run bulge.

Mike Matheny fell behind 0-1 as well in the second before lining Glavine's offering into the visiting bullpen for a 3-0 lead. New York countered in the bottom of the inning with a solo homer from Jason Phillips, his second in as many games. But St. Louis strung together three consecutive singles in the fifth, the last of which was Rolen's RBI shot to left.

Glavine allowed only one run the rest of the way while Orber Moreno and Bottalico pitched shutout ball from the seventh inning on. Now the Mets have a chance to reach the break-even point, a place they haven't been since April 16.

"That [.500] is our first goal," Howe said. "It seems like it would be our first time since the second or third day of the season. We've been playing so well, we were concerned what the off day [Monday] would do to our momentum. It took eighth innings to get it back.

"This just tells you what we're made of. Even when things don't look great, there's a lot of trust in that dugout that someone will come through." (go to list)

Mets go deep twice in win
Floyd hits grand slam to propel Mets
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
05/14/2004

HOUSTON -- The Mets carved out an impressive victory Friday night, this time taking out yet another of the National League's most dominating starters.

New York played long ball with Roy Oswalt at Minute Maid Park, taking the young right-hander deep twice in the first three innings before securing an 8-3 victory before 35,849 fans. The victory was the third in a row for the Mets [17-19], all over top-flight pitchers.

The Mets topped Randy Johnson on Wednesday and Brandon Webb on Thursday before disposing of Oswalt in similar fashion. In each game, the Mets went yard to pick up the win, picking up five of their runs on Friday via home runs.

Oswalt [2-2] had been leading the Major Leagues in winning percentage among active pitchers [.714] coming into the game, but was not effective early. Johnson [.664] is fifth on that list, while Roger Clemens, who will start Sunday for Houston, is fourth [.665].

Cliff Floyd blasted a third-inning grand slam off Oswalt, breaking a 1-1 tie, and the homer proved to be the difference. It was the fourth grand slam of Floyd's career. Floyd has five RBIs in two games since he was activated off the disabled list on Thursday.

New York jumped out in front of Houston in the second when Mike Piazza crushed a 1-2 pitch from Oswalt for his seventh homer. It was the 365th of his career, leaving him four shy of tying Hall-of-Famer and Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner for 57th on the all-time list.

The Astros cut into a 5-1 New York lead with a pair of runs in the fifth inning, one of which came on a Craig Biggio solo homer. But Steve Trachsel [4-3], who also danced around trouble in the sixth inning, didn't relinquish the lead. The Astros put runners on first and second in the sixth, but Trachsel got Richard Hidalgo and Morgan Ensberg on long fly balls to end the threat.

Trachsel scattered five hits and walked two over six innings, throwing 94 pitches.

The Mets added an insurance run in the eighth inning on an RBI fielder's choice by Ty Wigginton, scoring Floyd. They tacked on two more runs in the ninth on RBI doubles by Joe McEwing and Kazuo Matsui. (go to list)

Floyd Returns As Mets Look For Split
By NYFS Staff

May 13, 2004 - Cliff Floyd hadn't played since Easter Sunday in Puerto Rico but he is back from the DL and in the lineup tonight as the Mets look to split a 4-game series with Arizona. To make room for Floyd, Ricky Gutierrez was designated for assignment.

The Mets will gladly welcome Cliff Floyd back into the lineup. Although they had scored some runs as of late, they had severely missed Cliff's bat for the majority of his absence. Floyd will be plugged into his customary #3 spot in the lineup. Cliff was hitting .350 with a HR and 3 RBI's when he injured his right quadriceps muscle trying to leg out an infield hit. Gutierrez was hitting a weak .175 in 63 AB's with the Mets.

Eric Valent will bat leadoff and play RF against Brandon Webb tonight. Kaz Matsui bats 2nd and Mike Piazza bats cleanup. Perhaps more interesting, is that Mike is playing 1B for the 2nd night in a row. Vance Wilson will do the catching. Ty Wigginton, Mike Cameron, and Danny Garcia are the other starters for the Mets.

The Mets will send righty Jae Weong Seo to the mound in hopes of leaving Arizona with a 2-2 split. Seo is returning to the rotation after being pushed back 3 days because of a split fingernail. Game time is 9:35 in the desert. (go to list)

Floyd ready to join Mets
Roles of Garcia, Spencer, Valent will be affected
By Jim Richards / Special to MLB.com
05/12/2004

PHOENIX -- The Mets' bats are not struggling, but they'll get a boost anyway when outfielder Cliff Floyd returns to the big club for Thursday's final game of the four-game series in Arizona.

The team announced Wednesday that Floyd would join the team in Arizona after one rehabilitation game at Class A Fort Lucie Tuesday night, in which he played all nine innings in a 7-2 Lucie win and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Floyd hasn't played with the Mets since being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps on April 12 and has been eligible to come off the disabled list since April 27.

For the season, Floyd has been limited to six games with the Mets and is hitting .350 (7-for-20) with a homer and three RBIs.

"He's been chomping at the bit to get back up here," manager Art Howe said. "He's feeling good to play again. He wants to get up here to help us. He's a big part of the club. He's one of the guys -- so well-liked."

Floyd's return makes a crowded outfield more crowded, leaving Howe with a decision as to who will be sent down to make room. Howe said that outfielder Karim Garcia would take infield ground balls at first base and that outfielder Eric Valent, highly productive so far with a .315 average and three homers in 54 at bats, could be in the picture to play some first base as well.

Howe also said that he hadn't decided on whether or not to keep 12 pitchers, but added that he would prefer 11. He also added that he hadn't made a decision on a platoon situation in right field, involving Shane Spencer and Garcia.

Floyd's 2003 season with the Mets was cut short after 365 at bats when he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right Achilles tendon. He later had surgery to remove a bone spur on the tendon. Just prior to his injury, he had been sizzling with a .733 average (11-for-15) over his last four games.

Howe said that Floyd is ready despite playing only one game on the rehab assignment, adding that he's been taking a lot of batting practice among other activities.

Lineup shuffle: Howe loaded his lineup Wednesday with right-handed hitters to face Arizona's left-handed ace Randy Johnson. Howe moved switch-hitting Kazuo Matsui back into the leadoff spot after he had him in the No. 2 slot for two games, the first two times Matsui has hit there. Matsui hit well at in the two hole, going 4-for-7 with two line doubles off the center-field wall in Tuesday's second game. The switch back to the leadoff spot did not appear to faze him in the least, as he hit Johnson's second pitch Wednesday into the stands in left for a 1-0 lead.

Howe also lifted hot-hitting Ty Wigginton into the No. 5 spot for the first time all season. Wiggington went 5-for-5 in Monday's series opener and had two hits including a two-run homer Tuesday. Howe also had full use of Shane Spencer, who is recovering from back spasms. Spencer hit fourth against Johnson.

Frame by frame: The Mets jumped out to leads in each of the first three games of the series against Arizona, but dropped the first two. A close look at the score by innings reveals that this has been something of a normal occurrence.

The Mets have been outscored collectively in the third, fourth and fifth innings this season by a whopping 74-36 margin, with the worst being the third, where they trail their opponents, 31-15. They've outscored their opponents 19-13 in the first innings and 25-8 in the second, which has easily been their best inning thus far.

"You want to keep the momentum in your dugout and not let the other team answer back," Howe said. (go to list)

Floyd Makes Rehab Start
By NYFS Staff

May 11, 2004 - Cliff Floyd began his rehab in St. Lucie tonight beginning what the Mets and fans hope will be a short road back to New York.

Floyd was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 12th after straining his right quadriceps muscle while running to first base. He was not able to get off the field under his own power and was helped off the field.

Floyd singled in his first plate appearance tonight in St. Lucie driving in a run. (go to list)

Make room for Floyd
Outfielder's return will reduce time for Garcia, Spencer
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
05/06/2004

NEW YORK -- The plan was to have Karim Garcia and Shane Spencer platoon in right field this season. But that planned was scrapped on Easter Sunday when Cliff Floyd injured his quadriceps muscle in Puerto Rico.

Garcia and Spencer have been forced into roles as everyday players since Floyd went down, and the Mets haven't been any worse for it. In fact, the way the duo have played over the last two weeks, it will be difficult to sit one of them when Floyd comes back, which will probably happen sometime on the upcoming road trip.

What has made the emergence of Garcia and Spencer so noteworthy is that they are doing precisely what most folks didn't think they were capable of doing, hitting same-side pitching, which was the reason for the platoon in the first place. Garcia is hitting .500 (7-for-14) off lefties, a mark that had him tied for fifth in the National League heading into Thursday's series finale with the Giants at Shea Stadium. Coming into the season, Garcia had a career mark of .254 (55-for-216) against southpaws. He hit .154 (9-for-55) against them last year, having nearly eclipsed that hit total after only 27 games.

Spencer, meanwhile, has hit .387 (24-for-62) against righties, good enough for third in the National League. Coming into this season, Spencer was hitting .237 (232-for-978) against right-handers.

"I'm just getting the opportunity to get to the plate right now and taking advantage of it," said Garcia, who took a nine-game hitting streak into Thursday's game. "Once Cliff comes back, though, we're going to have to regroup and figure it out. We need Cliff to win games.

"When we signed here, we knew it was going to be a platoon. We're grown men and we know what we have to accomplish."

Howe didn't hesitate when asked if Floyd would jump right back into the lineup upon his return. He also shot down the idea of Floyd playing some first base to keep the other hot bats in the lineup.

"It's going to be difficult [to sit one of them]," Howe said. "But you have to consider the caliber of player we're putting back into the lineup. They played well but this will just give us another weapon off the bench. And I'll be using Spencer as a defensive replacement. He's proven himself in left field. Both of those guys have great track records. So, it's a no-lose proposition."So-so Seo: Jae Seo's week didn't get much better Thursday after he was involved in a minor traffic accident on the way to the ballpark. That was only part of the bad news for the South Korean hurler. Howe didn't believe Seo would be able to make his scheduled start Monday in Arizona after cracking the nail on his right index finger Wednesday night against the Giants.

"We'll see where he stands tomorrow and figure out what's the best route," Howe said. "But I seriously doubt that he'll be on turn."

The Mets are hoping to avoid having the same problems with Seo that they did last year. He cracked the same nail in June, missed 10 days and was largely ineffective for more than a month upon his return as a result.

"We've been trying to deal with this since the end of last year," Howe said. "We can try and glue it down and do as much as we can. We just have to hope it continues to improve. Last year we had everyone and his brother check it out."

Should Seo miss his start, Dan Wheeler could get the nod. He made an emergency start in the third game of the season against the Braves after Scott Erickson popped a hamstring and did an admirable job. James Baldwin (3-2, 2.90), Aaron Heilman (0-1, 3.58) and Matt Ginter (0-1, 0.86) are all pitching well for Triple-A Norfolk and could get the call as well.

Minor musings: Binghamton's Wayne Lydon is leading the Eastern League with 19 stolen bases. Top catching prospect Justin Huber is slumping for the B-Mets, collecting only three hits in his last 25 at-bats (.120). Overall, he's hitting .162 through 10 games. ... Gerald Williams is off to a good start with Norfolk, hitting .314 (16-for-51) with a homer and five RBIs through 12 games.

This and that: Mike Cameron was a late scratch Thursday. He injured a finger on his right hand on a play at the plate Wednesday night. Cameron was sliding into the plate and jammed his hand on catcher Yorvit Torrealba's shin guard. ... That Kaz Matsui had yet to hit into a double play through his first 108 at-bats this season is not surprising. He hit into only 55 double plays in 5,162 plate appearances during his career with the Seibu Lions of the Japanese Pacific League, an average of one every 93.8 plate appearances. He was particularly adept at avoiding the twin killings the last two seasons, hitting into a double play once every 186 plate appearances. His four double plays last year and his two in 1996 were the fewest among players eligible in the Pacific League. ... If Houston's rotation remains the same between now and next weekend, the Mets will see Andy Pettitte next Saturday and Roger Clemens on Sunday. (go to list)

Floyd, Reyes soon to return
Mets look to have injured stars back shortly
By Kevin T. Czerwinski
04/27/2004

LOS ANGELES -- There's a chance Cliff Floyd could be back with the Mets this weekend in San Diego. Meanwhile, Jose Reyes and Scott Erickson shouldn't be too far behind.

General manager Jim Duquette and manager Art Howe seemed optimistic on Tuesday about the imminent return of two of their biggest stars, seeming genuinely pleased with their progress for the first time. Reyes played five innings in an extended spring game on Monday and collected three hits and a few steals. He was scheduled to play on Tuesday but it rained heavily in Port St. Lucie and the field conditions were not conducive to getting in work.

Reyes, who has been out since March 14 with a strained hamstring, is expected to play nine innings for St. Lucie in a Florida State League game on Wednesday, while Erickson is slated to start and go five innings.

"Obviously, we're encouraged," Duquette said of Reyes. "He's made significant progress in testing it. And he felt good enough to get in a game. He stole a few bases and that was encouraging because he went on his own. Right now we're looking at two or three [rehab] games to see how he feels.

"He's been frustrated because there have been some stops and starts. We wouldn't deem them significant setbacks, but there were delays. He had a turning point this weekend, though. He had a light day Saturday and Sunday was an off-day and that seemed to help."

Duquette said he wouldn't put a timetable on Reyes' return but indicated that there was a remote chance he could join the team in San Diego.

As for Floyd, who has been sidelined since April 11 with a strained quadriceps muscle, it's likely he will eschew a rehab assignment and simply rejoin the club when he feels ready. Mike Cameron said that he spoke to Floyd on Sunday, however, and was under the impression that a return against the Padres was the target goal. Duquette said San Diego is "a possibility" but the club is still trying to decide whether rehab games are warranted. (go to list)

As Cliff gets closer, Reyes still a mystery

The Mets sorely miss Cliff Floyd and Jose Reyes. And while Floyd (strained right quadriceps) could return when he is eligible to come off the DL Tuesday in Los Angeles, Reyes' 2004 debut again is a mystery.

Reyes, who hasn't played this season because of a right hamstring strain, wasn't willing to run full throttle during an extended spring training game Tuesday. He was given yesterday off, but no minor-league rehab assignments are yet scheduled, according to Art Howe, meaning a return on the same day as Floyd - which appeared the goal - now looks doubtful. The Mets have been 3-6 since Floyd's injury in San Juan on April 11.

"You really can't let that be the focus," Mike Cameron said. "The game is going to go on anyway. We have to find a way to get it done. We did it a few times without the guys. You can't just continue to let these kind of games slip away from us." (go to list)

Injuries mounting for Mets
Piazza, Garcia out of lineup; Floyd placed on 15-day DL
By Kevin Czerwinski / MLB.com
04/12/2004

NEW YORK -- The Mets clubhouse still resembled an emergency room Monday morning but the news, at least for some of the walking wounded, was not as bad as originally feared.

Cliff Floyd, Mike Piazza and Karim Garcia were not in the lineup for the home opener against Atlanta but only Floyd will miss significant time. The Mets placed their left fielder on the disabled list with a strained right quad, recalling Jeff Duncan from Triple-A Norfolk to fill his spot on the roster.

Garcia, however, won't be going on the disabled list. The fractured fingertip he suffered Saturday night in San Juan could be healed enough for him to be back in the lineup by Wednesday night. Piazza's sore right elbow and neck, the result of a collision at first base on Sunday with Peter Bergeron, were bothering him enough to keep him on the bench Monday. But he, too, is hopeful that treatment and Tuesday's off day will be enough of a panacea to have him back behind the plate for the second game of this series.

The real concern is Floyd, who underwent an MRI and was examined by team physician Dr. Andrew Rokito. Floyd will be on the disabled list for at least two weeks but his Grade One quad strain could keep him out of action for as much as a month. He will be heading down to Port St. Lucie to join Scott Erickson [hamstring] and Jose Reyes [hamstring] on the rehab roster.

"I'm salty," Floyd said. "I'm mad. I was hoping to avoid the DL. I'm hoping it will be two weeks but I don't want to say that and not be back in two weeks. Now I have to go back to Florida.

"I feel all right but it's just in there. We have to get this swelling and this fluid out. I don't know how long that's going to take. If it felt worse I would be telling you something different. I have to go on the DL for the team's sake. If I'm going to be out at least six or seven days, that hurts us."

Floyd said his quad only hurts when you "poke it or mess with it". He described his injury as a small tear in the muscle but the injury doesn't prevent him from doing anything during the course of a normal day.
"You have to be careful and just not do anything crazy," Floyd said. "I'm anxious to get back. The DL is tough because if I'm ready in 12 days I still have to wait another three."

Piazza said that he was feeling better but was still noticeably hampered. He was moving gingerly around the clubhouse but said that his run in with Bergeron will not dissuade him from playing first base.

"It's an unfortunate situation," said Piazza, who was only available as a pinch-hitter in an emergency situation Monday. "It [the elbow] really started to stiffen up yesterday and then being on the plane. Throwing and hitting, my elbow was a little stiff.

"I've been icing it all morning. We'll try and get the swelling out and go from there. When I was in junior college I injured my left hand on the same play. I tore ligaments between my fingers. I was worried about my face and nose and eyes, too."

Piazza had been crouching and reaching across the bag in an attempt to haul in an errant Tom Glavine throw after Bergeron bunted. Bergeron's hip slammed into Piazza's head and sent him spinning to the ground.

"It's just a reaction, you go for the ball," Piazza said. "But you have to try and get out of the way of the runner. It just shows that it's definitely a position that's taken for granted. I'm still less graceful there than a lot of people.

"I feel a little better over there. I'm learning at the big league level. But it [the collision] isn't a deterrent or anything. It [playing first] isn't awkward. It's just something you keep doing."

Garcia, meanwhile, had his finger soaking in a cup of ice water for much of the morning. He shagged some fly balls, played catch and was even able to swing a bat.

"I threw some and it was a little painful but nothing big," Garcia said. "I even swung a bat, no problem. Later I'll try some soft toss so Wednesday is a real possibility. I feel I can play Wednesday. If I can't swing on Wednesday, I'm not going to lie to them." (go to list)

Mets lose Floyd, but win game

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Mets manager Art Howe gave Cliff Floyd the option of whether or not to play yesterday.

After two nights of playing on the soft new turf of Hiram Bithorn Stadium, nobody would have thought Floyd a lesser man had he decided to take the afternoon off, especially with the Mets opening at home today.

But Floyd felt good and has been swinging the bat well, so he elected to play. And now he will be out at least two weeks, probably longer.

Floyd strained his right quadriceps while running hard to try and beat out an infield hit in the first inning of a 4-1 win against the Montreal Expos.

"My gut feeling is that I'm going to be back quicker than what was first anticipated," Floyd said. "When I first did it, I got real scared because it cramped up on me and spasmed and there was this knot and I couldn't walk."

The Mets will not make a roster move until today. But every indication is that Floyd will be placed on the disabled list after getting an MRI and being examined by team physician Dr. Andrew Rokito in New York.
"Mentally it's just disgusting," Floyd said. "You get to that point where you get totally frustrated. ... You start to feel like you're letting your boys down. That's the worst part."

Floyd doesn't believe the MRI will reveal a tear in the muscle.

"I got a gimp, but it's better than going out of here on crutches," he said. "I'm looking forward to Doc telling me some good news."

With Floyd and second baseman Jose Reyes (strained left hamstring) out indefinitely, the Mets are now without two of their most important offensive players.

Reyes, who was injured March 14, has made only minimal progress in his rehabilitation and could be out another two or three weeks based on his history.

The Mets found out yesterday that starting right fielder Karim Garcia has a fractured left ring finger and will be out for an undetermined amount of time. Rokito will examine him today.

Right-hander Scott Erickson is also on the disabled list after straining his left hamstring warming up for his first start on Thursday.

The 3-3 Mets have series against the Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks and Astros in the next five weeks. If Floyd and Reyes remain out, any hope for a solid start to the season could be lost.

"I get tired of saying it, but injuries are part of the game," Howe said.

Floyd, 31, appeared primed to have a strong season. He played well in spring training and was 7 of 20 with a home run and three RBI through the first six games of the year.

But injuries have long been the obstacle to Floyd achieving greatness. This would be the seventh time since 1995 that he will spend part of the season on the disabled list.

Despite his history, the Mets signed Floyd to a four-year, $26 million contract before last season.

Floyd played in only 108 games for the Mets last season, shutting it down on Aug. 18 so he could have surgery 11 days later to remove a bone spur that was aggravating his right Achilles' tendon.

Floyd's latest injury overshadowed a strong performance by Tom Glavine.

Down 1-0, Glavine singled to start the sixth inning, then went to third when Kazuo Matsui doubled to left. Todd Zeile tied the score with a sacrifice fly before rookie Eric Valent — subbing for Floyd — pulled a slow Livan Hernandez curve into the right-field bleachers.

It was the first career home run for Valent.

Glavine pitched seven innings, allowing only five singles and one walk. He is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA. David Weathers and Braden Looper finished up, Looper getting his first save as a Met.

"This is what I expect of myself," Glavine said. "Last year is gone in my mind."

But when it comes to injuries, the Mets can't say the same. (go to list)

Floyd out with tear in quadriceps
NEW YORK — Cliff Floyd didn't smile much yesterday, pained by the knowledge that he had been placed on the disabled list for the seventh time in his career.

But as he was walking out of the clubhouse, Maryanne Floyd handed him their 5-month-old daughter, Bria Shae. Then Floyd lit up, cuddling the little girl and showing her off to his teammates.

"Right now," he said. "This is the only thing that makes me smile."

An MRI confirmed that Floyd has a small tear in his right quadriceps. He was placed on the 15-day DL and replaced on the roster by Jeff Duncan.

"I'm mad," said Floyd, who had hoped to hear the injury would keep him out only a few days. "They said when I'm ready to play and go out there and give 100 percent, I can come back."

Floyd would not set a timetable but he hopes to return in two weeks. The injury is not as serious as it appeared on Sunday, when he was unable to walk off the field under his own power.

"I feel real good and I know that sounds crazy," he said. "I can move around pretty well."
Per a new team policy, Floyd will be sent to Port St. Lucie for his rehab work.

"Back to that hole," Floyd said, grimacing. "I know I have to go down there and get the swelling out. I think the 15 days will do a lot for me. So hopefully I'll be out there two weeks from today." (go to list)

In Mike Cameron journal
March 28, 2004

We have a week left of Spring Training, and we're just trying to get through it. This is a dead time. I'm ready to go right now. If you ask me, I think Spring Training is about a week too long.

Port St. Lucie is great for baseball and the new facility here is excellent, but there's not a lot to do away from the field. I've been hanging out with Cliff Floyd. Our exciting time is chilllin' at Chillies (go to list)

Floyd ousted by leg injury
Outfielder removed from game in first inning Sunday
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
04/11/2004

SAN JUAN -- That Cliff Floyd was howling in pain as he was being helped into the clubhouse Sunday afternoon was enough to send shivers through the New York dugout.

The oft-injured Floyd hit a two-out cue shot just to the left of the mound moments earlier in the first inning of New York's 4-1 victory over the Expos at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. But he grabbed at his right hip halfway down the baseline, nearly stumbling. He hopped the remainder of the way but quickly doubled over in pain once he got past the base.

Manager Art Howe and trainer Scott Lawrenson raced out to tend to him but Floyd remained doubled over in pain for nearly five minutes. At one point, Floyd took off his helmet and punched it. Finally, he draped his arms over the shoulders of Howe and Lawrenson and had to be helped off the field, screaming out in agony as he was helped into the clubhouse.

The initial diagnosis is a strained right quadriceps muscle. Team physician Dr. Andrew Rokito will examine Floyd on Monday, at which time he is expected to go on the disabled list. Based on how he looked coming off the field, though, and the way he was talking afterward, it doesn't look as if Floyd will be ready to return to action any time soon.

Floyd was putting on a brave face after the game, saying that he felt better after getting some treatment and that he hoped to be back anywhere between a 10 days and two weeks. But if it turns out that he has torn the muscle, he could be out several months.

"I'll get a better idea of how I'll be tomorrow," Floyd said. "When it happened I got really scared. I had a knot and then I started to spasm and I didn't want to walk. I got three treatments and after the third treatment I was able to lift my leg off the table and walk around a bit. Gimping around is better than walking out on crutches.

"Mentally it's frustrating and disgusting. To go through all this stuff. I hadn't been in the training room in four or five days. Everything was fine. Just when you start to feel better, I'm going to kill myself with the frustration. I did everything I wanted to, I didn t get hurt this spring. Now I feel like I let everyone down. I feel like I let my boys down because they're counting on me in the third spot." Floyd said he didn't think the muscle was torn, adding that he felt like it was going to pop then didn't.

"The first thing I thought was that this was worst case, three months," Floyd said. "It went from that to 10 days two weeks. That s what my gut feeling tells me."

The Mets are already without Jose Reyes, who suffered a strained right hamstring a month ago in Spring Training. Scott Erickson went on the disabled list on Thursday after straining his hamstring while x-rays revealed that Karim Garcia fractured the tip of his left ring finger fielding a fly ball Saturday night. Rokito will also examine him on Monday but Garcia hopes to be back as soon as Wednesday.

Then there's Mike Piazza, who was making his first career start at first base, got his bell rung on Sunday when he collided with Peter Bergeron, who was beating out a bunt base hit in the third inning. Tom Glavine threw wide to first after fielding the bunt and when Piazza stretched for the ball, Bergeron's hip collided with the side of his head, spinning him around.

Piazza was on the ground for several minutes but remained in the game, leaving the Mets banged up and badly bruised as they limp back to New York for Monday's home opener against Atlanta. Piazza has some head, neck and elbow pain but appears to be in good enough condition to start Monday.

"Injuries are part of the game," Howe said. "The good part is that we won the game without Cliff. We have to step up and fill the void."

Raul Gonzalez and Jeff Duncan are possibilities to be called up as Floyd's replacement. Whoever gets the call could be here for quite some time. Floyd played in only 108 games last season, ending his year on Aug. 19 after deciding to undergo surgery on his sore Achilles tendon.

There have been health concerns regarding Floyd since the Mets signed him to four-year, $26 million deal in December of 2002. He was on the disabled list for most of the 1995 season after fracturing his left wrist. In 1997, he spent nearly three months on the DL with a pulled left hamstring. Floyd had two stints on the DL in 1999, the first after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee and the second after tearing his right Achilles. Floyd also missed a month in 2000 after tearing his left medial meniscus.

Either way, the Mets were glad to be putting Puerto Rico behind them. The rum capital of the world hasn't been kind to New York. Last season the Mets were swept in a four-game series by the Expos and their season spun out of control as a result. This season they won twice but lost their corner outfielders. Whether it will have the same effect as last year remains to be seen. (go to list)

Mets' Floyd Leaves Game in First Inning
Sun Apr 11, 2004

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - New York Mets left fielder Cliff Floyd left Sunday's game against the Montreal Expos in the first inning with a strained right thigh.

Floyd was running to first after hitting a weak infield grounder and started limping before getting to the base.

He immediately grabbed his right thigh and was attended to by the team's trainer and manager Art Howe. He was helped off the field, and replaced by Eric Valent.

Right fielder Shane Spencer moved to left field, and Valent to right.

Floyd was hit by a pitch in the right leg in Friday's game against the Expos. (go to list)

Floyd Gives Mets Reason To Believe
February 26, 2004

PORT ST. LUCIE - The Mets have this new star that no one is talking about. No, not Mike Cameron, Kazuo Matsui or Jose Reyes. He's a big outfielder. His name is Cliff Floyd and you might have forgotten about him. He's a difference maker.

Sure, the Mets had a Cliff Floyd on their roster last year, but that Cliff Floyd was saddled by an Achilles' injury that required surgery at the end of August.

They are getting a healthy Floyd this season and he will bring thunder to the lineup. Listen to center fielder Cameron, "Man, he hit .290 and 18 jacks with one foot."

"We got a lot better and people don't know it," Floyd said of these 2004 Mets, who have quietly added defense and stability to the mix. "I want everybody to keep the hype going with A-Rod and the Yankees. We're going to do the little things better this year. If you do the little things right, you are going to win."

Everything, of course, looks brighter in the sunshine of spring training. The cold reality of September is another story, but there is no denying that Floyd has an explosive bat. In the early days of spring training, he has been impressive.

He also is one of the most honest athletes you could ever meet, and is deeply respected by his peers for that. "I would have booed our butts last year, too," he said of the 2003 last-place Mets.

Who did A-Rod call when he wanted to get the lowdown on playing in New York and Boston? He called Cliff Floyd.

"Last year was crazy," Floyd said. "Roberto [Alomar] was beat up, [Pedro] Astacio was broke down from spring training, Mo [Vaughn] was done in spring training, [Mike] Piazza blew out for four months, I played hurt. You just can't take a hit like that as a team.

"This is a bounce-back year, that's why I can say this division is wide open and be serious about it. It makes sense. I'm not just blowing smoke."

At that point Cameron, in his Sunday-best preaching voice, loudly proclaimed, "And the Lord said, 'You've got to rise up.' "

That is the Met clubhouse these days. It is a passionate place.

In a strange way, Floyd, 31, admitted his injury made him a more focused hitter. He did not take the game for granted last season and tried to make the most of every swing.

"Each swing could have been my last because my foot could have blown out," Floyd said. "There were literally some days where I had to run on the side of my foot. That's not the way you are supposed to play baseball.

"But I enjoyed every minute and that is what New York is all about, the fans are so passionate," said Floyd, one of the few Mets to live in Manhattan. "It's a privilege to put this uniform on and go out there every day and do something you love.

"I think management understands now that it takes a certain kind of player to play in New York," Floyd added. "Last year, I'd be walking down the street and fans would yell, 'Yo, what's going on?' They all got their opinion and that's great.

"Fans make you better. Every once in a while you get that brain lapse and one time I forgot to run and they let me have it. And they were right and I said to myself, 'You know what, if you don't want to get booed, do what you're supposed to do.'

"I had this will last year to go out there no matter what. I don't know if it was a pride thing or what, but I just wanted to try and get it done."

That was, as Cameron said, with one foot. If he stays healthy this year, you can be sure everyone will know that Cliff Floyd is a star again. (go to list)

Floyd focuses on future
By JORGE ARANGURE JR.
STAFF WRITER
Saturday, March 6, 2004

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - In her first day on earth, Bria Shae Floyd looked into her father's eye with a somewhat puzzled look on her tiny face.

She had spent the first few hours of life sleeping, her father barely able to take his eyes off her. She seemed peaceful, unaware of the drastic change she would cause in her father's life.

For one moment, Cliff Floyd, 31, actually thought she smiled. But that was just wishful thinking, because Bria Shae was exhausted.

So her father waited and waited for her to wake, hardly moving from his seat in the hospital room. Finally, Bria Shae woke up, forcing her two eyelids to raise above her tiny eyes. With her eyes wide open, she looked right into her father's eyes.

"She didn't know what she was looking at," Cliff Floyd said.

And with that look, Floyd's life changed forever.

The outfielder begins his second season with the Mets, one year removed after signing a four-year, $26 million contract. Floyd's first year with the Mets was a disappointment, his season plagued by a right Achilles' injury that eventually forced him to have surgery and miss the final month of the season.

Even then, Floyd's numbers were respectable - a .290 average with 18 home runs. For the entire year, Floyd hobbled on one leg, barely able to run or field like the player that was once considered one of the best prospects in baseball.

After the season, Floyd faced a long winter of rehabilitation.

And perhaps Floyd would have languished through the off-season, but instead, because of a little girl named Bria Shae, his life has never seemed so happy.

"Nothing bothered me," Floyd said. "I didn't think about anything. Not my injury, not anything. I had nothing on my mind."

In early 2003, Floyd's wife, Maryanne, handed him a small box containing a miniature version of the sneakers he uses. Floyd didn't get the hint, instead thinking his wife had given him a cute paperweight. After a few moments, Floyd finally got the message.

"Aw, hell no," Floyd said. "It just hit me."

His wife began to cry.

Floyd's mind spun in several different directions.

"When you actually hear you're going to be a dad, it freaks you
out," Floyd said.

One of the most affable players in baseball, Floyd was a popular player in every clubhouse he's been in. Because of that, his social life was never still. He liked to go out and have fun.

But that was going to have to change because of the pregnancy.

Soon, the life of the party became more interested in the life of
his wife.

Floyd was overprotective, making sure she didn't walk into a smoke-filled room or put herself in any harm.

"It's amazing what you do," Floyd said.

Floyd sat with his wife during her 17-hour childbirth, hardly saying a word.

"You OK?" he asked every few minutes.

Finally, on Halloween night, Bria Shae was born.

"She's just so special," Floyd said. "When she's not around, I miss her so much."

Floyd said his daughter's birth has given him perspective.

"No more going out and staying late," Floyd said. "No more doing what you want to do. It makes you grow up."

He enters the 2004 season with a new sense of responsibility.

"I'm going to mature more and more each day," Floyd said. "I'm working for someone. I'm working for my baby. I think it puts a lot
of things in perspective."

Physically, Floyd said he feels better than he has in years. His Achilles' no longer aches, though he's not yet fully recovered from surgery. In the team's first intrasquad game, Floyd hit a ball into the left center field gap. Where last year because of his injury Floyd might have been content with a single, this time he flew past first base without hesitation and slid into second. This was a new year, with new hope and a beautiful little girl named Bria Shae.

He felt liberated, unlike any other time in his life. (go to list)