The New York Mets led the major leagues in spending for the third straight season in 2024 and have totaled $1.36 billion in payroll and luxury tax over four years under owner Steve Cohen, exceeding what the Marlins, Pirates and Rays each have spent on players in the past 21 seasons.

The Jackie Robinson Museum has opened in Manhattan with a gala ceremony attended by the 100-year-old widow of the barrier-breaking ballplayer and two of his children.

A program at the University of Michigan to combat struggles that low-income and first-generation college students can face is getting $40 million from the Judy and Fred Wilpon Family Foundation.

Christie has joined the board of directors of the New York Mets. His son Andrew has worked for the team since 2018 and is the Mets' coordinator of international scouting. Chris Christie has joined the board of directors of the New York Mets. Jeanne Melino also joined the Mets board under new owner Steve Cohen, and New York said Friday she will be hired by the team as senior vice president of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. The Mets' board also includes chairman emeritus Fred Wilpon and vice chairman Andrew Cohen, who is not related to Steve.

This photo from a Zoom press conference provided by the New York Mets shows New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. (New York Mets via AP)NEW YORK – Steven Cohen promises splashes of cash Mets fans expect from his billions — within reason. “So I’m going to let the professionals, Sandy and the people we bring in, let them run baseball." Alderson met Cohen last December through Andrew B. Cohen, who is not related to the new Mets owner but manages Cohen Private Ventures on Steven Cohen's behalf. “What I told Luis was that it’s very likely he will be managing the Mets,” Alderson said.

Special assistant to the general manager Omar Minaya, assistant general managers Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge and executive director of player development Jared Banner also departed. He hired former Mets general manager Sandy Alderson as team president in his first move and ended Jeff Wilpon's tenure as chief operating officer. and Van Wagenen fired manager Mickey Callaway and replaced him with Carlos Beltrán. It is a record price for a baseball team, topping the $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers from Frank McCourt to Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012. “I hope that your energy, competitiveness and resources will be welcomed by Major League Baseball,” Van Wagenen said.

FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2009 file photo, billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen attends a benefit in New York. Major League Baseball owners voted Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, to approve the sale of the New York Mets to Cohen. The Mets sale is likely to close within 10 days. “I am humbled that MLB’s owners have approved me to be the next owner of the New York Mets,” Cohen said in a statement. Cohen made his announcement as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city does not object to the sale.

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2020, file photo, Citi Field is viewed at dusk before a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles in New York. Billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen has agreed to purchase the Mets from the Wilpon family. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)NEW YORK – Billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen has agreed to buy the New York Mets from the Wilpon and Katz families. Cohen also entered negotiations to buy the Mets last year, but the deal fell apart in February. The limited partnership shares were sold after a proposed $200 million sale of a stake of the Mets to hedge fund manager David Einhorn fell through in 2011.

FILE - In this March 1968 file photo, New York Mets pitcher Tom Seaver poses for a photo, location not known. The Hall of Fame said Wednesday night, Sept. 2, 2020, that Seaver died on Aug. 31 from complications of Lewy body dementia and COVID-19. Nicknamed Tom Terrific and The Franchise, Seaver was a five-time 20-game winner and three-time NL Cy Young Award winner. WELCOME, PADREMike Clevinger (1-1, 3.18 ERA) makes his Padres debut after being traded this week from Cleveland. Walker (3-2, 3.27 ERA) starts at Boston as the Blue Jays try to keep up their push for a playoff spot.