Marty’s musings: Mets have a new owner, and fans rejoice

Welcome to ‘Marty’s Musings’, my weekly column of numbers summarizing the happenings in the baseball world. I am your guide for taking an analytic look at the news and notes throughout the game, and highlighting this week’s key pitching matchups.

This week, Mets fans celebrate Steve Cohen as their new owner. Cohen came in and immediately cleaned-house in Queens. Meanwhile, in Chicago, Jon Lester goes on a farewell beer-buying spree.

News & Notes

2.475 - Billion-dollar deal that gave former hedge fund manager Steve Cohen control from the New York Mets from the Wilpon family. Cohen immediately took to twitter to solicit ideas and suggestions from fans, a far different approach than the ivory tower Wilpons.

5 - Front-office guys that Steve Cohen has already moved-on from in his first few days as owner. Cohen fired General Manager Brodie van Wagenen and several other front-office executives including Omar Minaya, Allard Baird, Adam Guttridge, Jared Banner.

1 - Year off for Alex Cora, who has returned as Red Sox manager following his year-long suspension. Cora was banned for one season due to his part in the Astros sign-stealing scandal, but after a completely wasted year by Boston, is returning to manage the team.

47 - Thousand dollars spent on beer by Cubs’ starter Jon Lester in a farewell tour. Lester had a great run in Chicago, delivering the North Side its first World Series Championship since 1908, and serving as their go-to pitcher for six years. The Cubs declined the near-37 year old’s 2021 option, so he went on a beer-buying tour of the city.

4/1 - Nationals Opening Day, where the team has invited President-Elect Joe Biden to throw-out the first pitch.

143 - Days until Opening Day 2021. What the country looks like at that point is anyone’s guess...