What the HELL?????????? - Do We Need to Bring Back Marv Thronberry?

OK. I may be missing something here (pointing to the space between my head)....But, aren't the Mets supposed to be the best team -- or one of them -- in baseball?

What I saw the last few games (losses to the Phillies and - trying to hold back vomit as I say this - LOSS to the WASHINGTON NATIONALS????!!!!!???????? was beyond pathetic.

Reyes suddenly looks like Dick "Doctor Strangeglove" Stuart...or, GASP, butterfingers Marv Thronberry.

And, What the HELL was Scott Schoenweiss thinking? Speaking of, what is he doing in baseball????

Another note that bugged me was the pitch to Marlon Anderson on Saturday that was called for a third strike. The ball was so far to the left of the plate, the ACLU said Dennis Kucinich looked like Ann Coulter.

Gents, let's pick up the pieces and play some baseball.

Last year you guys experienced a similar meltdown against the same inferior teams.

Don't let it happen again. Remember, you want to fill up CitiField's 45,000 (TOO FEW) seats, rather than keep them empty.

I'm done for the day. Thanks for letting me tantrumize!

756 Reasons Why I Am NOT a Barry Bonds Fan

Yeah. I know he did it. I actually saw it happen on TV. As my post below states, I was at the Chris Isaak concert the night Bonds hit his *M*i*l*e*s*t*o*n*e* (did you notice the asterisks?) home run. I had a funny feeling he would. It was the Washington Nationals after all, and they even have trouble beating the Sisters of Charity Junior Varsity team.

So, the pitch count is 3andtwo, and Mike Bascik, a former Met grooves one and Barroid (as the esteemed Steve Somers on WFAN calls him) socks it with the might of the effects of some heretofore unknown chemical power. Now, he's a "hero" ---TO SOME. Not me.

I can rant like a three year old kid in Toys R Us about this, but, really, what does this say to the kids. If you are a good ballplayer, bulk up with crap. If you suck, bulk up.

Barry, I remember when you were skinny and reed-like, there is NO way you filled out that way naturally.

I'll be happy when A-Rod (thought I am not a Yankee fan), or Pujols or someone beats your record.

Oh, and when you start feeling the pain and aftereffects, watch those tears, some of those chemicals when they react with water are potent and can burn through artificial surfaces.

Confessions of a Mets Addict

Hi. My name is Ultimetfan1969 and I have a problem. I love baseball. I love the Mets.

I have not missed a game (wish I could be there in person for all 162 and 9+ innings, but let me hit the lottery and then blog about that escapade!) this year and only missed 3 last year when I was out of the country for 10 days. (I was able to catch a Mets/Yankees contest or two while in Colombia on ESPN Deportes).

So, I catch every game on TV / Radio or in-person (when I am lucky). If games are during the day at work, I try to get a signal, though its tough, but compensate by watching the re-run. Well, yesterday, August 7 I was faced with a major conflict in life. I had Mets tickets and tickets to my favorite modern day singer, Chris Isaak. What did I do?

Before you stone me like an unfaithful muslim woman in the street, please note that I was at 2 games this year (with another coming this month) and at ZERO Isaak concerts since '03.

Isaak out did the Mets (who lost to the Braves). I didn't get a chance to see any replays or highlights.

Well, I promise not to miss any more games.

Footnote: I got to shake Chris Isaak's hand after the show.

Trade Deadline is Coming - Here's my Wish List

Is it too early for Christmas?

Depends who you ask. I want to celebrate mine a little early this year - specifically (for those who have not caught on yet) in October.

What do we need to do to get that?

Here's an around the horn:

1B - Delgado is doing fine and I don't think there is a need for a change.

2B - Let's get rid of the revolving door and have a bit of stability. We finally did that with #3B and SS (I am not even going to regale you with how many -- 90+, maybe 100+ -- gents played the hot sack since the Mets began. So, with Valentin hurt, and Gotay & Easely capable, we need an everyday player whose name should be pre-printed in the line-up. Kaz Matsui was the next to walk on water and he sank. So, I am reverting back to a previous blog post about getting Brian Roberts. He hits, he steals and he is good with the glove. We did well in the past with the Orioles (Beat em in the 69 World Series, got John Maine, dumped Kirk Benson, plus a few others). Who do we give up? Schoenwiess - maybe Pelfrey.

SS and 3B - Unless you think I am from Pluto, these two are a rock on the left side of the infield. I hope they will break the record of Alan Trammel and Lou Whitaker for infield team mates.

C - Lo Duca is good. No question, he is streaky with the bat. Unless you can get Vartiek or Ivan Rodriguez on the cheap, Lo Duca should mind the dish for a few more years before he's worn out.

OF - If you take the folks who patrolled the "7" spot in the outfield and matched them with the gents at 2B, the permutations would be endless. Griffey, if he is available would be a good source. Pelfrey for Griffey plus a prospect? I'd pull the trigger quicker than Lee Harvey Oswald did.

Beltran, though his bat has been as strong as balsa wood at times should stay and let's keep Shawn Green until next year. 2008 we need to see Endy Chavez as a regular with Carlos Gomez platooning.

P - Only young, supple arms need apply. We have too many who are 40+ (wish I was talking seasonal wins here. Actually, I don't have an answer -- or a strong conviction -- who we should get to be on the mound for the second half of 2007, but we need someone strong. Gimme a few days.

Omar, let's have Xmas in July with a good acquisition, so we can have Xmas in October and then we can give nice Mets Xmas gifts in December.

Play Ball!

Lasting's Impression

Ever since Lastings Milledge came up, the jury (ME) has been out on whether he is legit, a flash in the pan or a real life urban legend (think, David Clyde, Joe Charbonneau, Mark "The Bird" Fydrich, etc).

I have flipflopped on his ability so many times that even John Kerry told me to "Make up your mind."

I am reminded a bit of Neon Deion Sanders when he first came up. Tons of raw talent, a good athlete, may be rushed and lacking a few of the fundamentals, and, needs to learn the grind of day-in-day-out baseball.

Here's what I propose (and I know you are reading this Omar Minaya)...Give him until the trade deadline, if his numbers are not solid, take my advice for the following:

Lastings Milledge + Mike Pelfrey = Ken Griffey Jr. Surely, he would be better in the OF than Moises Alou.

Speaking of Moises, he better part the red sea and arrive on the dugout bench else this commandment should read:


Thou shall not have dead wood on thy roster.

Am I done pontificating? Yeah.

Play Ball!!!

Apparently, This is an OLD T-Shirt

Saw some guy walking around NYC today with a Nike shirt with a Yankee logo that said:

Numbers Don't Lie

Pal, you are right. 9 Games behind Boston and a record under .500. Glad a pinstriper fan finally admits it.

It's a Bit Early for a Trade - But, Let's float this by you...

Over the last few years, there have been a few questionmarks at the keystone for the Amazins. It was thought that Kaz Matsui was the panacea. Wrong. Anderson Hernandez was vying to the position early last year (and to this date, still etched a memorable catch in the wee games of 2006). Jose Valentin filled in - did an admirable job - got hurt - Damon Easley took over in the interim - done well - Valentin back.

Both of these guys are surprises - and a bit old. Nothing wrong with both. But lets think towards the future.

I have a doozy of a trade that I hope management will consider...

Brian Roberts of the Orioles puts up some nice #'s - http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/roberbr01.shtml He's a .283 hitter and steals bases. Gets a lot of hits and has a semi respectable .982 fielding percentage.

Let's get him and give up:

Lastings Milledge: http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/millela02.shtml and maybe someone like a AAA prospect. Lastings, the toast of the town last year, diminished his star quality in the eyes of many with that rap record -- Plus, he didn't hustle - something that Carlos Gomez does and so does Ben Johnson. You MUST be hungry to succeed in NY and I think Lastings, as talented as he is, will be better playing out of the limelight.

Omar, Pull the trigger and lets get Roberts.

Lo Duca Goes Postal

So, it's an 0-1 count and through the years, we saw many of these. But, for some reason, when the next pitch came, and it was close, our beloved Mets dish protector just snapped with the umpire's call.

Now, I love baseball more than the next folk, but let's face it, (and I hope to be proved wrong) behavior like that set a bad example. Lo Duca actually had rage in his eyes. For a freakin' strike mind you. I could see him being justified if it was a blatant call at the plate which gives the opposition the advantage.

For some reason, if you have the name Paul, and play for a New York team, you are entitled to go postal when there is a call that goes the wrong way. The other Paul I am referring to is the one who brought fear and destruction to the watercooler when he struck out - Paul O'Neill.

Well, I have to say, I have Lo Duca on my fantasy team -- and I just KNOW he's going to get a suspension. Now, the key is, who do I pick up in his absence?

Are We Melting?

Seams Seem to be coming apart. Mets look a little tired, but maybe my eyes aren't following them as slow as they are running the base paths.

OK, I want to gripe here for a moment.

Moises Alou - we knew he was excellent when he played, but overall, fragile goods. Now, I don't want to secondguess-micromanage-sayitoldyouso - but, wasn't that the same reason they got rid of the ever-popular Cliff Floyd?

Well, time to hit the hay. At least I can fall asleep to the Mets losing while they are playing on the west coast.

Oh, one word for Bud Selig: (and, yes, I am shouting: INTERLEAGUE PLAY HAS GOT TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Fantasy League - Is this a good trade?

Put your GM Hats on.

I own JJ Hardy of the Brewers.

I offered him - straight up for Jose Reyes. My colleague declined.

Would YOU take the trade?

Sound off!

Play Ball!

First Shutout all Season -- Now I'm Back

Someone asked the other day, "are you still blogging your site?" (Full disclosure, it's nice to have A fan). I answered "of course, but I got slammed with time."

So, while I was a way I have a few musings which will be posted here... Let's thing of them as calculated strategy - awright...Random Thoughts....Sit back and read...

The game of May 30 was a milestone as it was the first time the Mets were shut out this year. When you think of all the woeful teams of the 1990s, a shutout per week -- or two - was considered the norm. It seems as if a few "negative events" have happened much later than expected...this shut out, Players have gotten better - to note... Carlos Gomez...Now this is what I call a bright spot in the line-up. He's the prototypical player you like to see. Hustle, runs hard, enthusiastic and has the can-do attitude. This is what we THOUGHT Lastings Milledge was going to turn out to be. Maybe he will. Who knows, but as far as I am concerned, let him have a few hits with the rap of a bat than the rap of "the beat." At this stage, he is pretty much expendable if he doesn't get his act together. His trade value is now that of a single player in double "position rank" in fantasy baseball...Speaking of Fantasy Baseball, that puts a huge dilemma on my view now. Though its more important the Mets win, I somehow feel betrayed when a Met (whom I don't own) socks an HR and sets me back a few points. Interestingly, when the Mets were getting smoked by the Brewers a few weeks ago, all hope was lost for a win. Instead, J.J. Hardy socked a grand slam to get me some RBIS. Tom Glavine seems to be struggling a bit on the way to 300 wins. I wish folks would put the figure out of mind and let him pitch to each batter...Tom, we want you at least one more year, regardless of whether you hit the 300 mark in June, July or August...Carlos Delgado went from Arctic to Hades in a week. Always nice when a player gets their groove back. Let's expect Carlos to catapult in the next few weeks as a choice player for fantasy leagues. Mike Pelfrey...Oh Lord, I am hoping he isn't the next Paul Wilson. Coming in with high expectations, Pelfrey was put in the pressure cooker early. Losing all those games surely isn't good for immediate morale, but a bit of seasoning in AAA and away from the cameras of SNY and CW-11 should help him get back on his game. He throws well and has the capacity to improve....Anyone miss Chad Bradford? I do a little, but the consolation that the original-named Joe Smith is tossing from the side is encouraging. Who would have thought he turned to the sidearming as a gag. Speaking of gags, this is what happens when I see Scott Schoenweiss pitch. 13 earned runs in 19 innings exudes a YIKES....Wasn't it comical to see Armando Benitez balk not once - but twice - and allow a run in? He gave us the creeps when he took the mound in a Mets uni, but its good to see sweet revenge...Let's hope Shawn Green comes back soon. He's a good player. Sadly, I had to drop him in my fantasy league but will look to pick him up about a week after he gets back...and we too, wish to see more of Moises Alou and Jose Valentin when they come back. I like them both, but I hope the Mets knew that Moises was a bit brittle when they signed him...

Well...I have a deadline to hit and hope all is well. Please comment and let's have fun.

PLAY BALL!

This Stat Deserves a Post of its Own...Jose Reyes and GiDP

So, I was faithfully watching the Mets snake the Diamondbacks on late Saturday night and towards the middle / end of the game, Jose Reyes gets up, hits the ball to shortstop and then a 6-4-3 DP results.

In 29 games, and 127 ABs (17 walks on top of that) -- this is the first time that Reyes hit into a DP.

I guess when you are hitting a lot of triples, these are rare occurances.

Side note: Was impressed with Sosa's first outing as a Met this year. Let's put Chan Ho Park in our memory.

Checking In...

Hello Dear Fan - ( I am hoping this is plural).

It's been awhile since I wrote and I am sure you have been waiting up all night. Relax. Your insomia will be cured by the end of the paragraph.

Been so busy with work and life that it's been tough to actually get the time to write. A lot of ideas and observations are swirling around this nogging of mine (which is covered by a Mets cap).

A few things...

I am playing in an ESPN Fantasy baseball league: http://games.espn.go.com/flb/clubhouse?leagueId=96409&teamId=3&seasonId=2007 I decided to join and let THEM do an automatic draft. I got Beltran and LoDuca and along the way picked up Glavine, El Duque and Jose Valentin (had to drop both because of their injuries) and have been getting Juan Castro every now and then. My goal is to get as many Mets as I can.

...Went to my first game on April 30. I donated blood and they gave me tickets. Apparently, the bleeding never stopped. I had to sit through Chan Ho Park. It was actually quite a site and I was thinking that some bag boy at a Krogers in the midwest could be doing a better job in the industrial beer leagues (Hey, for all you Ball Four Fans - I wonder if the Ross Eversoles need a pitcher?). The fans were skeptic of him and jeered - rightly so. He actually threw a strike at one point and Shea gave a loud approval.

...Damon Easley and his game winning heroics. To quote Rachel Ray -- "How cool is that?"

Well, as I write this, the Diamondbacks game is about to begin. Love the way the Metropolitans beat good ole Randy Johnson last night. And I saw the guy who caught the home run ball off ancient Randy off the bat of ancient Julio Franco. Some dude named Methuselah.

Until next time...

(PS Root for me in my league and give me any tips and players you think I should have)

Opening Day! WOO-HOO

The air smells better, its clean and baseball is gonna be hoppin at Shea Stadium today.

Well, I'll be at my desk cheering loudly today hoping the 7 Train is filled with revelers after the 9 innings are done.

As I will echo more than 1 million times this year - "LET'S GO METS!"

Two "L"s - So What?

Before you all go out and chip in to Tar-And-Feather me, I am glad the Mets look a dive early on in the season. The momentum they built up for the first few games was phenomenal, but it was bound to end, and soon.

Braves always (save for last year) field a good club and, with any team, you can NEVER underestimate them. A case in point, take that team in the Bronx. Good? Yes. What happens? they ALWAYS lose to the Devil Rays who on their own turn often struggle with The Little Sisters of the Poor's "B" squad.

OK, let's pick up the bones and dust from Atlanta and start up the W's.

Even The Pope Couldn't Help The College of (St. Louis) Cardinals

Pinch me. (I'd prefer if you were Salma Hayek or Eva Mendes, but just the same).

I feel redeemed that the Mets trounced - TROUNCED - the St, Louis Cardinals in the opening series of 2007.

Mets played classic ball and put a lot of wood on the sphere. Whoever would have said they would have outscored the "World Series Champs" 20-2 this early, I wouldnt have believed them - and I am a diehard.

We were able to overcome that little pest, David Eckstein, and pretty much silence the noise that the best player in the game, Albert Pujols, to a murmur.

So, the "College" of St. Louis Cardinals were basically ex-communicated from their own Vatican by the New York Crusaders. More to come -- watch out other rivals!

In the halo of the late Tug McGraw http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mcgratu01.shtml 2007 is the year to resurrect and follow two Mantras:

"YA GOTTA BELIEVE" (1970s) and "THE MAGIC IS BACK (1980s).

I want to extend an "open enrollment" for all you fair weather fans who want to jump (BUT MUST REMAIN) on the bandwagon...Follow the Metropolitans to the World Series.

Stay Hooked. Enjoy Baseball.

Why Are the Mets Exciting?

Ans: Because you have a 41 (OK, he SAYS he's 41!) year old pitcher hit a double with the bases loaded.

Jose Reyes...An Icon!

I wanted to write a bit about Jose Reyes, but came across an article by Steve Popper of THE RECORD which says it best.

Read this and then answer this question..."Would you trade Jose Reyes for either Alex Rodriguez or Derek Jeter Straight up?" -- My answer at the end...

Enjoy!

Jose Reyes has all 5 tools, and they are getting sharper


Sunday, April 1, 2007 By STEVE POPPER

STAFF WRITER
Jose Reyes can't cook.
Yes, there is something he can't do. But that's in the kitchen, where his mom still helps him. On the field though, every day that passes seems to dispel another notion that there is anything he can't do. And that is why he is the best player in New York.

Actually, his manager -- Willie Randolph, who is not prone to excessive proclamations -- already bypassed this debate and announced that Reyes could be the best player in baseball. And teammates who could lay claim to that designation -- David Wright and Carlos Beltran -- didn't flinch at that assessment.

"He's a five-tool player in every sense of the word," Wright said. "I expect him to be an MVP candidate on a yearly basis. I expect him to win numerous Gold Gloves because he's got that kind of ability. He's got that kind of ability you dream about.

"He's dynamic in all aspects of the game. He does everything exceptionally well in all aspects of the game. You can't look around baseball and find many more well-versed, five-tool players than Jose. He can absolutely do it all. The scary thing is he gets better and better."

He is 23 years old and seems to be just scratching the surface, but this isn't about potential, just as it isn't about the past. Sure the potential is intriguing. Reyes has just two full seasons in the major leagues and reported this spring to camp looking stronger and bashing home runs at the same rate as Barry Bonds.

But he's already reached a level that no other shortstop in baseball today -- Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez included -- has reached. Last year, he led the major leagues with 17 triples and 64 stolen bases and hit .300 with 19 homers and 30 doubles.

The only other shortstop in major league history to hit at least .300 with at least 15 triples, 10 homers, 20 doubles and 50 stolen bases was Honus Wagner in 1908. Only one other player in history -- Willie McGee in his MVP season of 1985 -- has reached those levels. And Reyes is the only player in history with the combination of runs (122), hits (194), stolen bases and homers he compiled.

But if you wanted just numbers you could point to Jeter's .343 batting average or A-Rod's 121 RBI last year, you could look in Reyes' clubhouse and see Beltran's 41 home runs. Reyes is not just a player who puts up numbers. On a team filled with big money, free agent acquisitions, superstar pieces at almost every spot, he is the piece that makes the Mets go.

When Reyes scored last season the Mets were 60-25, and when he didn't cross the plate they were just 37-40. When Reyes got on base the Mets were 80-47, and when he didn't they were 17-18. And in innings that Reyes got on base the Mets scored 60.7 percent of the time, compared to just 22.8 percent in innings when he wasn't on base.

He starts rallies -- hitting .325 with 20 walks leading off an inning. But he finishes them, too, hitting .414 in 79 at-bats with two out and runners in scoring position. Dave Williams, a teammate now who has faced him, said, "You worry about a guy like [Carlos] Delgado for his power and you try to take that away. But with Jose, you can't take anything away. If he singles, he's on third."

Unlike Rodriguez, whose every move seems calculated on how it will move him closer to immortality and the Hall of Fame, Reyes, with his infectious smile, has ignited his clubhouse and even Shea Stadium. The stands reverberate with chants of "Jose, Jose, Jose" with his every scamper around the bases. The smile and the skills are his calling card. There is no celebrity dating and few endorsements.

But this argument isn't about who is dating Jessica Biel or Jessica Alba or whatever movie star emerges next week -- although Reyes has begun a music career. It's about what he does between the lines, and Reyes has a combination of still-developing speed and power, cannon arm and acrobatic glove that no other player can touch.

"I appreciate that," Reyes said. "But that doesn't go to my head. I have to worry so much about playing the game, doing my job, giving 100 percent every day. I can't worry about that kind of stuff. Whatever happens, happens."

It's already happened. Only two years after he seemed too young, too injury-prone, Reyes has emerged. Last year he finished seventh in the National League MVP balloting, hurt by the suddenness of his ascension and by the votes split among his teammates (Beltran finished fourth, Wright ninth and Delgado 12th).

Now, he seems better. This isn't about the rings Jeter has or the numbers being compiled by A-Rod. This is about 2007. One year. Who is the best player today? Who would you want on your roster? And the answer is Reyes. Or as they would say at Shea, Jose, Jose, Jose.
E-mail: popper@northjersey.com
* * *

• WHY REYES IS BETTER THAN JETER
  Reyes is faster than Jeter and steals more bases.
• Derek Jeter is still a fast runner, and yes, he stole 34 bases last year. But for pure speed, few players in the league – if any – are as fast as Reyes.
• Reyes is nine years younger than Jeter.
• Jeter (June 26) and Reyes (June 11) share the same birth month ... but not the same year. Jeter was born in 1974, Reyes in 1983. When they're making room for Jeter in Monument Park, Reyes could still be at the top of his game.
• Reyes has more pop in his bat right now, and he's only getting stronger.
• Since hitting 24 home runs in 2004, Jeter's HR output has dropped in each of the past two years. At 32, it's reasonable to think that he'll never top 20 again. Reyes, however, could be the next perennial 30-30 guy.
• Unlike Jeter, Reyes gets along with his third baseman.
• For baseball fans who have grown weary of the almost daily Jeter and Alex Rodriguez soap opera, there's the Mets' clubhouse. Usually you can find third baseman David Wright cracking jokes about Reyes' wardrobe ... all in good fun.
• Jose Reyes on David Wright"We're just good friends. We joke around here in the clubhouse, but if we see each other outside, we're friends. We joke, try to have fun."
• Jeter's arm is strong, but Reyes has a cannon for an arm ... and may have better range
  A few years ago, former Mets first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz went to Reyes and asked him not to throw the ball quite so hard because he was worried about getting a bruised catching hand. And just because Reyes has a cannon for an arm doesn't mean he's a loose cannon; his throws from the hole are as accurate as anyone's.

RE: Trading Reyes for Jeter / Rodriguez: NO!!!!! I don't want to get lesser value in the deal.

What A Way To Begin!

After months of waiting and agonizing "WHEN WHEN WHEN" the baseball season would open, the wait stopped at the depot and we got some ball.

And, there were no disappointments.

Even though the Cards won the World Series, it's nice to beat them in their house on the same nights as they get their recognition.

It seems as if the Mets didn't skip a beat. DoubleGenerationOld Glavine's arm was spectacular. LoDuca's bat was good and naturally, Jose Reyes didn't fail the crowd.

There was one anxious potentially psychologically damaging moment - when Beltran was at the plate and the first two pitches sailed by for strikes. I was lamenting a deja vu'. I mean, who wants to repeat a called third strike without swinging. Fortunately it worked out. Can you imagine the first at bat of the year echoing his last at bat from last year. Forgiveness may not have been in option in that "ultra liberal" fan base of us Mets.

There was a lot of hustle and kudos to the catch that 40 year old Moises Alou made.

Interestingly, if you refer to the link above (click title of the blog topic), the Mets have the best EVER opening day win-loss percentage. Imagine if they had a contending team in the early years!

Well, it feels great to be back...let's talk a bit during the season.

15 Minutes to Opening Day...

Clock is ticking and I can't wait!

Jersey and hat are on...well attired.

Go METS!