Guy Conti
FameRank: 4

"Guy Clyde Conti" is a senior advisor and the former Major League Baseball bullpen coach for the New York Mets. He was one of Willie Randolph's first hires as manager in winter and began as a coach in the season. Prior to joining the Mets, Conti held various coaching positions in the Los Angeles Dodgers' minor league system, where he befriended Sandy Koufax and also worked with young pitchers such as Pedro Martínez and Ismael Valdez. (Martinez credits Conti for teaching him English when Conti coached Martinez in Great Falls, Montana, calling him "my white daddy." [http://apse.dallasnews.com/contest/2000/writing/over250.feature.fifth.html APSE / Associated Press Sports Editors] Conti briefly played in the Houston Astros organization as a catcher, after which he coached basketball at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Houston, he played baseball for one season at Clarion State College (now Clarion University) and returned to Clarion after his playing days earning a degree in 1965.

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Just fundamental stuff. It's the right thing to do and the safe thing to do.

252

When Pedro left at the end of the season, his weight was down 10-12 pounds. He has put that weight back on and is in great condition. He wants to do the same things he did last year in preparation for the season, the same program.

247

The guy is very loyal to his country and the people there. I know he wants to pitch in it, but he has to see where he is first. I don't think he'd do anything to jeopardize his Mets season.

152

Wait until it warms up. He's a feel pitcher. He feels the ball. When he feels the humidity on the ball, look out, because now he can put it where he wants it. His arm is in real good shape, but the feel of his pitches isn't there yet. When it gets there, he's going to be striking out 10 or 12 guys.

132

He's finally started making progress the last two times out. He not there, but I saw signs today. He's going to get there. But he was that good without facing big-league hitters. [The Orioles] had to be scratching their heads.

125