Johan Santana Shares Pitching Wisdom with Mets’ Sean Manaea and Others at Spring Training #1

New York Mets legend Johan Santana made a memorable impact at spring training this week, sharing his expertise with pitchers, including Sean Manaea, who grew up idolizing the two-time Cy Young Award winner. Santana, who joined camp as a guest instructor, surprised Manaea at breakfast, sparking a heartfelt moment for https://www.storenymets.com/collections/lee-mazzilli-jersey the 33-year-old left-hander.

“Thirteen-year-old Sean was geeking out,” Manaea joked. “Thirty-three-year-old Sean was, too.” The two later engaged in an in-depth conversation about pitching, with Santana explaining the mechanics of his iconic circle changeup—a pitch that, despite its simplicity, remains effective even in today’s era of advanced analytics and high-velocity offerings.

Santana emphasized the timeless nature of pitching fundamentals, stating, “At the end of the day, it’s a human being that goes on the hill to compete. The essence is still the same.” His insights resonated with Manaea and others, including fellow left-hander David Peterson and minor league players, who benefited from Santana’s hands-on approach.

This marked Santana’s first time serving as a guest https://www.storenymets.com/collections/dylan-covey-jersey instructor for the Mets, though he has previously worked with the Minnesota Twins. Now 45 and an empty nester, Santana is exploring a deeper involvement in baseball, including coaching opportunities. He currently serves as the junior varsity coach for his son’s high school team in Fort Myers, Florida, and has found joy in mentoring players at all levels.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised Santana’s visit as “impactful,” highlighting the value of having a player of his caliber share knowledge with the team. Santana’s presence is part of a broader initiative by the Mets to bring back franchise legends, with Carlos Beltrán, Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, and John Franco set to join camp later this spring.

Santana’s legacy as the only Mets pitcher to throw a no-hitter adds weight to his teachings, particularly his mastery of the changeup. Manaea, inspired by their conversation, quipped, “Maybe I’ll have a https://www.storenymets.com/collections/luisangel-acuna-jersey good changeup this year.”

As Santana considers a more formal role in baseball, his passion for the game and ability to connect with players continue to make him a valuable resource. For the Mets, his visit underscores their commitment to blending tradition with modern development as they prepare for the 2024 season.

New York Mets legend Johan Santana made a memorable impact at spring training this week, sharing his expertise with pitchers, including Sean Manaea, who grew up idolizing the two-time Cy Young Award winner. Santana, who joined camp as a guest instructor, surprised Manaea at breakfast, sparking a heartfelt moment for https://www.storenymets.com/collections/lee-mazzilli-jersey the 33-year-old left-hander. “Thirteen-year-old Sean was geeking out,” Manaea joked. “Thirty-three-year-old Sean was, too.” The two later engaged in an in-depth conversation about pitching, with Santana explaining the mechanics of his iconic circle changeup—a pitch that, despite its simplicity, remains effective even in today’s era of advanced analytics and high-velocity offerings. Santana emphasized the timeless nature of pitching fundamentals, stating, “At the end of the day, it’s a human being that goes on the hill to compete. The essence is still the same.” His insights resonated with Manaea and others, including fellow left-hander David Peterson and minor league players, who benefited from Santana’s hands-on approach. This marked Santana’s first time serving as a guest https://www.storenymets.com/collections/dylan-covey-jersey instructor for the Mets, though he has previously worked with the Minnesota Twins. Now 45 and an empty nester, Santana is exploring a deeper involvement in baseball, including coaching opportunities. He currently serves as the junior varsity coach for his son’s high school team in Fort Myers, Florida, and has found joy in mentoring players at all levels. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised Santana’s visit as “impactful,” highlighting the value of having a player of his caliber share knowledge with the team. Santana’s presence is part of a broader initiative by the Mets to bring back franchise legends, with Carlos Beltrán, Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, and John Franco set to join camp later this spring. Santana’s legacy as the only Mets pitcher to throw a no-hitter adds weight to his teachings, particularly his mastery of the changeup. Manaea, inspired by their conversation, quipped, “Maybe I’ll have a https://www.storenymets.com/collections/luisangel-acuna-jersey good changeup this year.” As Santana considers a more formal role in baseball, his passion for the game and ability to connect with players continue to make him a valuable resource. For the Mets, his visit underscores their commitment to blending tradition with modern development as they prepare for the 2024 season.