This is not a typo. No, Jose Abreu wasn’t traded to the New York Mets in a blockbuster deal. Instead, they plan on adding 40-year-old outfielder Bobby Abreu to the active roster on Monday.
Bobby Abreu is expected to join the #Mets prior to tomorrow's game. Abreu was hitting .395 with 1 HR, 9 RBI in 15 games with Las Vegas (AAA)
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 20, 2014
Let’s just hope that Vegas enabled Abreu to acquire some of that fountain of youth that is rumored to be around poker tables at Mandalay Bay. Okay, I might have made that last part up.
In any event, the 17-year veteran is actually going to play in the majors for the first time since he was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002. Abreu hit .246 with three homers and 19 runs batted in for the Dodgers that season.
Abreu, who made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros in 1996, will be joining his sixth professional team.
So, let’s check in on what was happening around the world of sports and the United States when Abreu made his MLB debut.
The Dallas Cowboys were coming off their fifth Super Bowl title. They have won a total of two playoff games since.
Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played mark.
“You had me at hello” from Jerry Maguire was America’s favorite pick-up line.
Ali Landry, now 40 years old, won the Miss USA pageant.
Tupac Shakur was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.
Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey was seven years old.
Photo: New York Post