Mack's Mets Interview: Donovan Mitchell

By John Mackin Ade
Posted Friday, February 15, 2008

I had the pleasure this past Wednesday sitting down with the new manager for the Savannah Sand Gnats, Don Mitchell.

We spoke while walking the new infield and ended in the office:

Q: Have you spent any time in Savannah before?

Mitchell: Yes. I visited here when I was an Assistant Coach for Columbia, plus I think I played here when I played for Asheville, but I’m just not sure.

Q: It is exciting to have George Greer’s experience here also this year (new hitting coach). You worked with him last year… tell us what he brings to the table.

Mitchell: Well, his knowledge of the game is overwhelming and just having him around me made me a better manager in Kingsport.

Q: Last year, Hector Pellot repeated “A-ball” very successfully. What’s the chance that either SS Juan Legares or C Francesco Pena returns to Savannah in March?

Mitchell: That all depends on how well they played winter ball or how well they play in spring training. The same goes for Gregory Veloz who played here last year. All those decisions will be made during spring training.

Q: Can we expect to see one of the ‘Dylan’ prospects this spring (SPs Dillon Gee and Dylan Owen)?

I don’t know at this point. I did manage to see Dillon Gee pitch last year in Brooklyn, but I have not had the pleasure of seeing Owen pitch. Again, it’s too early to speculate where they will wind up this year. Some players may jump 2 levels, but none of that has been determined yet.

Q: “You managed some very successful players last year, like 3M Jose Jimenez (.309), 2B Michael Parker (.298), Roy Merritt (2.88 ERA in 17 relief appearances), and Michael Olmstead (1.93 ERA). Any chance some of these kids will be on the same plane from Port St. Lucie with you come March?

Mitchell: Yes, I do expect to have some of the names you mentioned start off here this year. Most of this year’s Sand Gnats team will come from last year’s Kingsport team, from the Brooklyn Cyclones, and holdovers from last year’s Gnats.

Q: Will there be a Pedro P. Martinez sighting in Savannah this year?

Mitchell: Possibly. He pitched well last season, but like the other players you mentioned, it depends on how well he did in winter ball and how he plays next month in Port St. Lucie.

Q: Do you anticipate the continuation of young Latin players direct from the DSL and VSL teams to this Latin-friendly town?

Mitchell: I’m sure that’s a possibility, but now that the new complex has been built in the Dominican Republic, there’s no reason to rush a kid stateside when he has a quality field, staff, and facility to mature in. That being said, we’ll see when the rosters come out.

Q: You played in Asheville in 1993 in the Sally League, and you’re scheduled to play there on May 3rd. What’s the first restaurant you’re going to go to when you hit town?

Mitchell (laughing): I don’t know what restaurant, but I can guarantee you that Ron McKee (who works for Asheville) and Randy Ingall (manager for the Rome Braves) will be taking me to dinner when I get to both those towns. They owe me a dinner.

Q: I don’t know if anyone told you, but my wife is the food writer for the local papers and she used to send Tim Teufel a tin of his favorite cookies (oatmeal raisin) when the team was on a losing streak.

Mitchell (smiling): Two words… chocolate chip.

Q: Don, last year’s team had an abysmal win and loss record, but I keep telling fans that the main job at this level is to develop young players, not win games. Am I correct?

Mitchell: Yes Mack, you are completely correct, but it’s important to win games also. Our jobs at this level in the development of future New York Mets players is to follow the plan set by the team for each player assigned to the team. That being said, we also like to win ball games too.

Q: Tell us about your family.

Mitchell: Well, first of all, I was born in Westchester and have been a lifelong Mets fan. My wife is named Nichole and I have two wonderful children, Donavan Jr., who is 11 years old, and my 6 year old daughter, Jordan. They will be splitting their time this year here in Savannah and at our New York home.

Q: You played seven years in the minors and then went right into coaching. How did that happen?

Mitchell: Actually, my first job in coaching was immediately after my last minor league system when the Mets GM, Jim Duquette, hired me as hitting coach for the GCL Mets. I have been a coach for the Mets, the team I have rooted for my entire life, ever since then. (smiling) How great is that?

Great interview. Great guy. On to a great season!