Steve Cohen’s $2.475 billion purchase of the New York Mets pretty much encapsulates all that goes on inside Citi Field, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to ignore the city around it.
“Owning a team is a civic responsibility, and that’s why my wife and I plan to invest in communities around Citi Field,” Cohen said during Tuesday’s introductory press conference. “Alex will lead the Mets foundation; she has done a great job leading ours, and I know she’ll do the same here.”
Cohen has already pledged to be that civic leader inside the walls, too, pledging to pay all Citi Field and Mets employees their full salaries starting ASAP.
“We committed to doing that, and now that I own the team, that should start fairly soon,” Cohen said. “We’re committed to support our communities. My wife is so good about this – she’s all in too, and you’re gonna love her. It’s all part of owning a baseball team. We’re gonna find out things that are worth backing and providing support for, and we look forward to that.”
We know Cohen is already listening to the fans, based on his Twitter interactions, and he already has some things in the hopper for them, too.
“Depending on whether we have fans or not next year, having an Old-Timers’ Day might be kind of fun,” Cohen said. “It appears like the Tom Seaver statue will be ready to be unveiled, too, so we should have festivities around that. There are so many great ideas we have archived; the fans are knowledgeable, and they’re the customer. I have to listen and I want to listen.”
And speaking of listening, Cohen is ready to listen to his players, too, and support their causes and quests in the social justice realm.
“These are important questions America is discussing. Black Lives do Matter, and I feel it’s important we have a diverse group of employees, for diversity of thought,” Cohen said. “People come from different backgrounds, and that makes for a richer environment. If my players want to express themselves, they’re entitled to do it; the only thing I ask for is that they give 100 percent between the lines.”
All told, building a culture is more than just what happens on the field and in the clubhouse, and building a winning culture all around is Cohen’s most important mission.
“I want professionalism, I want integrity. I won’t put up with the type of stuff that has happened elsewhere,” Cohen said. “I want to hire the best and brightest, develop a great farm system, and provide a product that pleases the fans. When they interact with me, I want their experience to be extraordinary. I want this to be great, and I know they do, too.”
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
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