If you had an opportunity to watch the Hall of Fame press conference, you would’ve noticed the Mets sent a contingent there to show their support and appreciation for Mike Piazza. The contingent included Jeff Wilpon and Sandy Alderson.

As Adam Rubin noted on ESPN.com, Sandy Alderson stuck around to answer from questions from reporters. During the impromptu press conference of sorts, Sandy addressed a myriad of issues from his health to replacing Paul DePodesta to the Mets offseason to the Mets fans favorite topic: the payroll. First and foremost, it is great that Sandy is able to work during his cancer treatments. I wish him well. With that said, where was Jeff Wilpon through all of this?  I cannot believe there was not one reporter in that room who wanted to ask him a question.  

No, Jeff Wilpon made himself scarce and/or unavailable. He was not there to answer questions about his feelings about Piazza’s induction or the possibility of retiring Piazza’s number. He was also not there when/if any hard questions arose:

1. Can you comment on the Mets settling a case where it was alleged you discriminated against an unmarried pregnant woman?
2. What is the payroll limitations for the 2016 season?
3. Has your recent debt restructuring put any limits on the team’s ability to spend like your prior debt agreements had?
4. If payroll isn’t increasing, why did the Mets raise ticket prices?
5. What would you say to fans who feel like the owner’s aren’t keeping their promise and investing in the team?

These are all fair and reasonable questions.  Other New York owners have stuck around to answer the tough questions. John Mara did it recently.  Jeff Wilpon didn’t. Instead, he sent out a 68 year old man battling cancer to field all the questions while he scurried away. 

Editor’s Note: This article first ran on metsmerized.com