Moves and major moments in the Steve Phillips era

A look at Steve Phillips' tenure as Mets general manager:

July 16, 1997: Appointed ninth GM in Mets history.

Dec. 22, 1997: Traded outfielder Carl Everett to the Astros for pitcher John Hudek.

Feb. 6, 1998: Acquired pitcher Al Leiter and a minor-leaguer from the Marlins for pitchers Jesus Sanchez and A.J. Burnett and outfielder Robert Stratton.

May 22, 1998: Acquired catcher Mike Piazza from the Marlins for outfielder Preston Wilson, pitcher Ed Yarnall and a minor-leaguer.

Nov. 8, 1998: Phillips agreed to a paid leave of absence to deal with a sexual harassment lawsuit. He admitted having an extramarital affair but denied the harassment charge, which was eventually dropped in exchange for a cash settlement. Phillips returned to work after eight days.

Dec. 1, 1998: Acquired pitcher Armando Benitez from the Orioles in a three-team trade that sent catcher Todd Hundley and a minor-leaguer to the Dodgers, outfielder Roger Cedeno from the Dodgers to the Mets and catcher Charles Johnson from the Dodgers to the Orioles.

June 6, 1999: During interleague series vs. Yankees, reassigned pitching coach Bob Apodaca and hitting coach Tom Robson (a favorite of manager Bobby Valentine) and hired pitching coach Dave Wallace and hitting coach Mickey Brantley.

July 23, 1999: Acquired pitcher Kenny Rogers from Oakland for outfielder Terrence Long and a minor-leaguer.

July 31, 1999: Acquired reliever Billy Taylor from Oakland for pitchers Jason Isringhausen and Greg McMichael.

Aug. 16, 1999: Signed non-drafted free-agent shortstop Jose Reyes from the Dominican Republic.

Oct. 4, 1999: Mets won a one-game playoff for the NL wild-card spot for their first postseason appearance since 1988.

Dec. 23, 1999: Acquired pitcher Mike Hampton and outfielder Derek Bell from the Astros for pitcher Octavio Dotel, outfielder Roger Cedeno and a minor-leaguer.

Oct. 16, 2000: Mets beat Cardinals in five games in NLCS to reach first World Series since 1986.

Oct. 26, 2000: Yankees defeated Mets in five games in first Subway World Series since the Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers met in 1956.

Dec. 11, 2000: Signed free-agent pitcher Steve Trachsel to a two-year contract. Signed free- agent pitcher Kevin Appier to a four-year contract. Signed free-agent outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo, the second position player from Japan to play in the major leagues, to a one-year contract. Acquired pitcher Donne Wall from the Padres for outfielder Bubba Trammell.

Dec. 7, 2001: Acquired outfielder David Justice from the Yankees for third baseman Robin Ventura, an exchange of high-priced players neither team thought it could deal.

Dec. 11, 2001: In a widely praised move, acquired second baseman Roberto Alomar from the Indians, along with two minor-leaguers, for outfielders Alex Escobar and Matt Lawton, pitcher Jerrod Riggan and two minor-leaguers.

Dec. 12, 2001: Signed free-agent outfielder Roger Cedeno to a four-year deal.

Dec. 27, 2001: Acquired first baseman Mo Vaughn from the Angels for pitcher Kevin Appier.

Jan. 21, 2002: Acquired outfielder Jeromy Burnitz, pitcher Jeff D'Amico, infielder/outfielder Mark Sweeney and infielder Lou Collier from the Brewers for pitcher Glendon Rusch, infielder/outfielder Lenny Harris and outfielder Alex Ochoa, who was acquired from the Rockies with two minor-leaguers for infielder Todd Zeile and outfielder Benny Agbayani.

July 31, 2002: Acquired pitcher John Thomson and outfielder Mark Little from the Rockies for outfielders Jay Payton and Robert Stratton and pitcher Mark Corey.

Sept. 20, 2002: Phillips fumed as Mets manager Bobby Valentine joked about players smoking marijuana at a news conference at Shea Stadium in response to a Newsday article that day about drug use in the Mets' organization.

Oct. 1, 2002: Agreed with the decision of owner Fred Wilpon to terminate manager Bobby Valentine, who had one year remaining on his contract.

Oct. 28, 2002: After failing to agree on compensation with the Mariners for the rights to coveted manager Lou Piniella, Phillips and Wilpon settled for former Athletics manager Art Howe and signed him to a four-year contract.

Dec. 9, 2002: Signed pitcher Tom Glavine to a three-year contract.

Dec. 15, 2002: Traded shortstop Rey Ordonez to the Devil Rays for two minor-leaguers.

Dec. 21, 2002: Signed free-agent outfielder Cliff Floyd to a four-year contract.

June 10, 2003: In his final personnel move, Phillips called up rookie shortstop Jose Reyes from Triple-A Norfolk.

June 12, 2003: Fired with the Mets in last place in the NL East, 15 games behind first-place Atlanta.