Morning Briefing: Longtime Mets Photographer Marc Levine Passes Away

Good morning, Mets fans.

Sad news broke Thursday with the passing of Marc Levine, a New York Mets photographer for the past 35 years. He was the longest tenured photographer in Mets history. Steve and Alexis Cohen released a statement. “He had a kind heart and a wonderful photographic eye,” it read. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

Mets public relations legend Jay Horwitz, who hired Levine, also released a statement and broadcaster Howie Rose posted a tweet on X. Here is Levine talking to Horwitz about his first day on the job when Keith Hernandez and Darryl Strawberry got into it during a spring training photo session in 1989. And here is Levine maintaining his professionalism while nearly being hit by a pitch from rapper 50 Cent. RIP.

Latest Mets News

Jose Quintana (seven scoreless innings) was ready, but the bats were not for an early start Thursday in Washington, D.C. The Mets managed just one hit – a Jeff McNeil third inning single – in a 1-0 loss to the Nationals in a game played in under 2 hours that began at 11 a.m. Let’s hope the Mets (42-43) can bounce back tonight against hard-throwing rookie Paul Skenes (4-0, 2.06 ERA) in Pittsburgh. Game time is 6:40 p.m. ET. Luis Severino (5-2, 3.42 ERA) goes for New York.

Outfielder Ryan Clifford had four hits, including a three-run homer, for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies Thursday in a 7-3 victory over the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies affiliate).

Latest MLB News

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that Justin Verlander and Kyle Tucker will not return to the team before the All-Star break, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was scratched Thursday with a right forearm bruise. He was hit by a pitch on Wednesday.

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed rookie lefty Jared Jones (5-6, 3.56 ERA) on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain. They recalled outfielder Joshua Palacios from Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will induct former owner Walter O’Malley into the team’s Ring of Honor at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 10. O’Malley, who died in 1979, moved the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles after the 1957 season. Walter’s son Peter, president of the club from 1970-1998, will represent the family and accept the award.

The Nationals optioned DH/first baseman/outfielder Joey Meneses to Triple-A Rochester.

Latest on MMO

Mets nemesis Jesse Winker homered to lift the Nationals to a 1-0 win over New York.

Jordan Baron wrote about the recent struggles of the Mets bullpen.

Ricky Keeler recapped the action among the Mets’ minor league affiliates, including a promising outing by Kodai Senga at Single-A Brooklyn.

On This Date in Mets History

1962: The Mets signed 19-year-old amateur free agent outfielder Cleon Jones. A career .281 hitter, Jones hit .340 for the Mets in 1969 when they won the World Series in his only All-Star season.

1985: The Mets didn’t play a doubleheader, but they won two games. Wally Backman homered and Rick Aguilera threw a complete game to give a beleaguered bullpen some rest in a 6-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves about 18 hours after the Mets won a classic 16-13, 19-inning game that ended close to 4 a.m. ET. The extra-inning affair began on July 4 and included two rain delays, a Keith Hernandez cycle and a game-tying home run by Braves relief pitcher Rick Camp in the 18th inning. Lenny Dykstra, Backman and Hernandez each had 11 plate appearances.

Birthday: Dave Eiland (58)

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