New York Mets: Martin Luther King III
MLK III: interest blown out of proportion
January, 31, 2011
1/31/11
6:58
PM ET
By
Adam Rubin | ESPNNewYork.com
Martin Luther King III told the Associated Press on Monday that his reported interest in the Mets is exaggerated.
"This was blown up way out of proportion," he told the AP. "While I'm not leading a group and I'm not having direct conversations with the Wilpons, I think it is very important to promote diversity in ownership."
Read the full story here.
"This was blown up way out of proportion," he told the AP. "While I'm not leading a group and I'm not having direct conversations with the Wilpons, I think it is very important to promote diversity in ownership."
Read the full story here.
MLK III statement on Mets interest
January, 31, 2011
1/31/11
10:09
AM ET
By
Adam Rubin | ESPNNewYork.com
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Martin Luther King III, pictured with Willie Randolph after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Civil Rights Game in Memphis in March 2008, acknowledged interest in sports ownership in a statement.
“I believe in the merit and American value of creating an example, and if I personally, or as part of a collective, can advance the vision of a more diverse ownership group in professional sports, domestically or internationally, then, like my father, I am prepared to act in that spirit," King said in the statement to the newspaper. "... There has been a lot of discussion and speculation about my participation in the acquisition of the New York Mets. The public release of those discussions was premature.”
King reportedly plans to meet with Mets officials later this week.
It's arguably more likely that the next Mets minority owner is not the one seeking to publicize his or her interest, but some groups have started to openly express interest:
One person is Mike Repole, who owns Kentucky Derby entrant Uncle Mo and made a fortune with the sale of Vitaminwater to Coca-Cola, according to the Daily News.
The Post countered by identifying Martin Luther King III, son of the late civil rights leader, as a potential buyer. That group reportedly also would include Ed Kranepool and Donn Clendenon Jr., son of the ex-Met. However, that group wants at least a 50 percent stake, according to the newspaper, which is not what Fred Wilpon said is for sale.
Finally, multiple reports name Martin Silver, owner of Georgi Vodka, who has been outspoken for a while in wanting to purchase the club.
One person is Mike Repole, who owns Kentucky Derby entrant Uncle Mo and made a fortune with the sale of Vitaminwater to Coca-Cola, according to the Daily News.
The Post countered by identifying Martin Luther King III, son of the late civil rights leader, as a potential buyer. That group reportedly also would include Ed Kranepool and Donn Clendenon Jr., son of the ex-Met. However, that group wants at least a 50 percent stake, according to the newspaper, which is not what Fred Wilpon said is for sale.
Finally, multiple reports name Martin Silver, owner of Georgi Vodka, who has been outspoken for a while in wanting to purchase the club.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rubin
Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
Andrew Marchand
Andrew Marchand is a senior writer for ESPNNewYork.com. He also regularly contributes to SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight, ESPNews, 1050 ESPN New York and ESPN Radio. He joined ESPN in 2007 after nine years as a sports writer at the New York Post.
Mark Simon
Mark Simon is ESPN Stats & Information's Baseball Research Specialist. He's also one of several Mets historians working at ESPN and a co-host of the Baseball Today podcast. He joined ESPN in 2002 after 6 1/2 years as a sports writer at the Trenton Times.
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UPCOMING GAMES
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDG | 17-30 | 12-16 | 5-14 | L1 | |
| NYM | 25-21 | 13-9 | 12-12 | W1 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDG | 17-30 | 12-16 | 5-14 | L1 | |
| NYM | 25-21 | 13-9 | 12-12 | W1 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDG | 17-30 | 12-16 | 5-14 | L1 | |
| NYM | 25-21 | 13-9 | 12-12 | W1 |
TEAM LEADERS
| BA LEADER | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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David Wright
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| HR | D. Wright | 5 | ||||||||||
| RBI | D. Wright | 28 | ||||||||||
| R | D. Wright | 30 | ||||||||||
| OPS | D. Wright | 1.110 | ||||||||||
| W | R. Dickey | 6 | ||||||||||
| ERA | J. Santana | 3.24 | ||||||||||
| SO | J. Santana | 53 | ||||||||||
