Joe McEwing Retires to Coach

Former Met utilityman Super Joe McEwing has hung ’em up, retiring as a player and joining the Charlotte Knights minor league team as a coach.

The Knights are affiliated with the Chicago White Sox and play in the International League (AAA)

McEwing joins pitching coach Rich Dotson as the newest members of manager Marc Bombard’s staff, who returns for his second season as Charlotte’s skipper. Bombard went 63-80 in his first campaign with the Knights, and leads all active minor league baseball managers in career wins with 1,618.

Sort of sad to see Super Joe retire, as I always rooted for him and enjoyed watching him play — partially because I played against him when he was at the County College of Morris (yes, he was a pesky SOB back then too), and mostly because he squeezed every ounce of ability out of himself. Yes, overall his numbers weren’t fantastic while a Met — other than his initial year in 2001 — but his hustle, all-out play, and willingness to do anything for the team made him a fan favorite.

McEwing only played in 90 MLB games after leaving the Mets after the 2004 season, and spent all of last year in AAA with Pawtucket (Red Sox org.). For the PawSox he batted .268 with 8 HRs and 22 doubles in 477 ABs, playing 2B, SS, 3B, and the outfield. Maybe he should have used HGH or some other PED, and he could still be playing.

Best of luck to “Super Joe” !