Mets GM Lectures at Farmingdale State

This Story Was Posted By Jason Molinet. It Was Reported By Alex Ilch.

New York Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson took students on a tour of his baseball experiences – including three straight trips to the World Series with the Oakland A’s – as part of a lecture Tuesday at Farmingdale State College.  

While GM of the Athletics, Alderson’s first action in 1983 was to fire legendary firebrand Billy Martin. Little did he know the whole organization followed Billy. It was up to Alderson to re-establish and reform the A’s.  

He did it with a cast that included Bash Brothers Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco as the A’s won AL pennants from 1988-90. More than two decades later, Alderson is still working his magic, this time in Flushing.  

“Sandy Alderson gave our Sport Management students a birds-eye view if what the sports business is all about,” said Patrick Calabria, Farmingdale State’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “He was funny, engaging, and most importantly able to explain the complexities of the industry in a clear and coherent fashion. Pardon the pun, but getting him to visit our campus was a home run."  

One of Alderson’s mantras in New York is: “Make Mets fans the happiest in the World.”  

The lecture was a story but also a learning experience. It showed his history through the sports world but really showed students how to experience the sports world.  

Alderson end his lecture with his own wisdom to students: “Differentiate yourself from other candidates.”  

Note: Reported by Alex Ilch, a student journalist at Farmingdale State College.