2009, the Mets organization issued a statement announcing the firing of Vice President of Development Tony Bernazard by Minaya saying, in part, "I spoke with Tony [Bernazard] this morning and informed him of my decision to terminate his employment with the Mets", confirming an earlier report. At the press conference announcing the firing, Minaya angrily challenged the accuracy of past news reports, claiming that New York Daily News reporter Adam Rubin, who initially broke the story about Bernazard challenging Binghamton Mets players to a fight, was angling for a position in the Mets organization. This led to a heated exchange of words between the two, with Rubin calling Minaya "despicable." Shortly after the press conference, Minaya said that he stood by his comments about Rubin but acknowledged that it "was not the proper forum to raise those issues." Three days later, Minaya personally apologized to Rubin for his remarks. San Diego Padres On December 2, 2011, Minaya was hired by the San Diego Padres as senior vice president of baseball operations. Minaya left the position in January 2015 joining the Major League Baseball Players Association as a senior adviser to executive director Tony Clark. Third Stint With The Mets On December 22, 2017, Minaya was hired by the New York Mets as a Special Assistant to General Manager Sandy Alderson. After Sandy Alderson took a leave of absence from the Mets in July 2018 due to a recurrence of cancer. Alderson was informally succeeded on an interim basis by John Ricco, Minaya, and J. P. Ricciardi. After Steve Cohen purchased the team on November 6, 2020, Minaya was dismissed two hours after. Minaya was rehired once again by the Mets in January 2021 in an ambassadorship role while also helping to reach out to the Latino community. On February 2, 2022, Minaya was hired by Major League Baseball to serve as a consultant for amateur scouting initiatives. Personal life While with the Mets, Minaya was a resident of Harrington Park, New Jersey, conducting team business at his home office there. On January 6, 2009, President George W. Bush appointed Minaya to a position on his Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Minaya's term lasted 16 months. As stated by mlb.com writer Anthony DiComo, "the council serves as a catalyst to promote health and fitness through participation in physical activity and sports." His son, Justin Minaya, played basketball for the Providence