Minor league catcher hits HR off Santana at Mets BP today

"On Friday, Santana threw 25 pitches to David Wright, Ryan Church, Damion Easley and Salomon Manriquez, the minor-league catcher who nearly stole the show by swatting a changeup into the thick forest beyond the centerfield fence. (a home run)

• Manriquez, a fellow Venezuelan, belted 16 home runs in 71 games last season for the Rockies' Double-A affiliate, and general manager Omar Minaya praised him later that afternoon. As for Friday's star turn, however, there is an asterisk attached. Like each of the Mets who faced Santana, Manriquez knew the pitch that was coming beforehand. That was part of the deal.

"When you know what's coming, you're bound to barrel one up," Wright said. "He knew the TV cameras were on him. It ruined Santana's perfect game.""

• From Newsday article by David Lennon, "Santana's BP session quite a spectacle," 2/22/08

(I have no doubt he'll do a great job for the Mets. I'm just mentioning the home run for historical reference. Even in the above article, it wasn't explained well). sm

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