Could You Imagine This Pitching Line-Up?

As the last few blog posts have been not dainty on Oliver Perez, here's another thought to ponder.

Can you imagine if the Mets did indeed win the Barry Zito Lottery (I would think winning a lottery via email is a bit more credible - and, YIELDING -- SOMETHING!)

What would the fans be like with his current 1-8 record with over 5.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP? Add Perez into that...

Taking a short look, the combined #'s would be as follows... (prior to game)

• Starts - 24
• Wins - 5
• Loses -12
• Hits - 126
• Runs - 85
• Earned Runs - 73
• Innings - 118.1
• ERA - 5.56
  WHIP - 1.69

Now the fun part..

• Walks - 74
• K's - 82

Doesn't this make you more eager to get up to go to work tomorrow? Perez is making $6.5 m and Zito, $14.5m - $21m when combined. Its like robbing a bank.

'Scuse me, this is my ledge that I am jumping off..go find your own.

NOTE: Take a look at the cartoon. Seems like it is perfect for GMs who sign bad ball players

Time for TWO New Nicknames...

Jo-San (Pronounced Yo-SAN) - for good ole' # 57

OliverPariah - For Ollie Perez

Sunday Night Baseball -- In PERSON!

I was a bit miffed when they moved the Sunday afternoon game to Sunday night. Usually at that time, I'm winding down and getting ready for work the next day, but last night, all the elements came together.

The night was beautiful. Sitting in the upper deck, the wind was nice the air was clean and the Mets played some stellar baseball under Johan Santana. Box Score

It was also his 100th career Win! See AP Story

The magic was there and the team rallied with 5 runs in one inning. After Ryan Church his is dinger, the place went mad chanting "RYAN CHURCH!!! RYAN CHURCH!!!!"

Tonight, Monday, is well, not going well.

After traveling cross coasts, the Mets are under Oliver Perez who just gave up a ton of runs in 1/3 of an inning.

What is interesting, as I check it now, his ownership in the ESPN leagues is around 63% -- and its up 10% today as typical of a daily starter. But what I want to see tomorrow is what it will drop to. If any of these ESPN players are smart (full disclosure, I dumped him a LONG time ago). My prediction - a bold one - is he will dip below 40%. People have wised up.

I don't understand why Willie would leave him in after 4 runs scored, especially with 1/3 inning completed.

Here's some scary #'s for Perez Outing:

IP - 0.1
H - 5
ER - 6
BB - 2
K - 0
W - 0
SV - 0
ERA - 162.00
WHIP - 21.00

Numbers don't lie, but in this case, I wish we could get Pinocchio to tell a fib. Box Score

Addendum to Yesterday's Post

Add Oliver Perez to the New Orleans Tour

If I Could Be a Travel Agent, Some Folks Would Get Free Trips to New Orleans....

So, here I am thinking, on a beautiful sunny Sunday before I leave for the Mets - Dodgers Game (8pm) if I were a travel agent, what would I do that would most benefit the .... METS.

Well, I just did a check and the flights from LaGuardia to New Orleans start at $323 and go to $583.

The departure date is June 2, and the return is November 1.

Here is the flight list:

Aaron Heilman
Carlos Delgado
Mike Pelfrey
and, Maybe, Carlos Beltran (who needs to hustle more and show a good attitude.

This would be a carry your own luggage and make your own agenda when you hit the Big Easy.

OK, now that's out of the way, Let's Go Mets! Santana, I am looking forward to a dazzling performance. (And, I don't have to hear Joe Morgan tonight!)

Palpitations -- But The Mets Won!

Watching Mike Pelfrey just does odd things to me. You never know what the kid is going to do. He has a great delivery, but gets flustered so easily.

The image of the left was a stress test that reflects my reaction to each of his pitches.

Glad the Mets came out of the game well today. They were able to hold off potential base runners and kept the speedy Juan Pierre off the base stealing efforts.

Tomorrow night, Sunday, I am heading to the ESPN game. First time I get to see Santana pitch. I never have luck seeing the top Mets pitchers hurl. In the early 90s, I always wound up with a Wally Whitehurst or Sid Fernandez. As of late, it has either been Pelfrey, Perez or Figueroa.

Here's the box score for posterity (translation, so Pelfrey's mom can read it). Interesting note I forgot to mention a few days ago...Duaner Sanchez, who won the other day, had a rare opportunity to bat. It amazed me how much hustle he had as he ran to first base

Quick Lesson in Translation...

Ok, so, how do you say "put in a crappy pitcher that gives up 4 hits, 4 runs, loses the game, loses the lead and doesn't even get a batter out."

Alas, it can be summed up in two words: Aaron Heilman.

I have 9 credits in philosophy, 3 in psychology and combining both, I cannot figure out why Willie Randolph keeps using him, and when he does, why does he leave him in so long?

Let's put it in barbecue terms, he should be taken out when rare, not well done and burnt.

For those of you who have the fortitude and won't get squeamish, here is the Box score from the Dodgers win over the Mets.

In another Ironic move, Chan Ho Park, who appeared in one game as a Met in 2007 (of course, that was the game I went to where he had a spot start and tanked) is back with his former club (L.A.) and beat the Mets.

So, how will I sleep tonight? Maybe better, Maybe worse. If I am asleep, I will be doing an imitation of Carlos Delgado at the plate and at first.

Footnote: It WAS nice to see the Mets come back from a 3 run opening deficit. This kid on the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw, looks like he has a bright future.

'Till tomorrow.

Three In A Row...

Short post tonight.

A good feeling to see the Mets win 3 straight. Being Italian, we have a semi-superstition that things come in 3s. Concrete proof: Moe, Larry and Curly.

Mets played with enthusiasm and their heads in the game. Chavez throws the speedy Pierre out at the dish. Let's hope this is the turnaround.

Stock markets go through corrections and rebound. It's the Amazin's turn now.

Note to Joe Torre...Mets got a little better since you managed em!

Some Nice Hustle

Prior to the 8th inning tonight, I really didn't have a topic in mind. It was a bit tough to come up with a solid point, but I have to say, after that, there was, as Keith Hernandez just said, "competitive fire"

After seeing a stat that said the Mets were 1-19 after being behind in the 6th inning, I felt a low esteem and thinking another L would come, but the Amazin's turned it around. Heilman got 6 straight outs - including striking out the side. Endy hit a game tying HR on an 0-2 count, and Fernando Tatis is finding his groove with a game winning hit.

Ahhhhh....let's get the ball rolling again

Hold The Lead - Don't Bleed

Mets played some sensible ball tonight. Something that has been last seen when an Italian helmed the Vatican (or so it seems).

Reyes kept the streak alive - something like 12 games with a hit, and the team held on to a lead and didn't squander it.

A friend of mine said that Beltran lacks the hustle and this seems to be cascading to the other players.

Let's ponder a thought here...Church comes back (no Vatican jokes, I already made a lame attempt at one and didn't hear you chuckle) to right field. Keep Beltran in center **SIGH** and platoon Tatis and Evans in left. We really don't feel Alou will have much of an impact.

For what its worth, has anyone notices with the over 4 decade crowd (or close), Hernandez, Alou, Pedro - when they were healthy last year, the team played well. This year, they are on the DL and the team is tanking. Life DOES begin at 40.

I am hoping this game is a turning point. Deep down, I know it is.

Losing 7 of 8 - Willie Keeps His Job...A Few Observations (and Groans)

The drumbeat for Willie Randolph must have been at an unexpected cadence for him as he met with the brass behind doors tighter than Fort Knox on this Memorial Day. I personally like Willie and think he's a good manager. But he needs to get the players fired up. Had he lost his job today, it would have been a bit of irony as we would have remembered the fallen.

Today's game was a washout (I probably used that line before in a post), but the good news is that Reyes' bat came alive, 2 solo HRs. One thing that has been missing from Jose this year is the coveted triple. Though he has 5, and ESPN projects 17, they seem to be few and far between.

• Just a side note, it seems to me, save for the bonehead play where he got picked off, Hanley Ramirez 2008 is Jose Reyes 2007. On the board, making great plays, offensively and defensively. Jose needs to step it up a notch to recapture that else he will be the next Rey Ordonez. (So many Mets shortstops were billed as the next greatest. I am still awaiting Rafael Santana to walk on water).
• One thing that surprised the hell (yes, I can say Hell, its my blog) Aaron Heilman pitched and didn't allow any runs and just 1 hit in 2 innings.
• Sad News - Geremi Gonzalez, a Met who pitched in three games died in his native country of Venezuela after he was struck by lightning. R.I.P. Geremi, you are one of us Mets for eternity. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080526/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbo_obit_geremi_gonzalez
• Perhaps with all the turmoil going on, former Mets manager of the mid to late 1960s, Wes Westrum once said, "Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand."
• One interesting stat, no Met ever hit three home runs in a game at Shea.
• This Sunday, June 1, I will be doing a "double header" - riding 45 miles in the am for a bike rally, then showering (of course!) and getting to Shea to see Johan Santana pitch.

Change in Regime Coming?

I didn't see much of the game today, but heard a little on the radio. What I did see was enough to convince me that the root, cog, hub, whatever word you want to use, is Carlos Delgado. He just does not hustle to the base and he just is plain bad at first base. There is just no OOMPH in him, and as a perceived team leader, this seems to permeate throughout the team.

So, because of this, Willie Randolph is on the hot seat. I don't know if he will be fired. I think he should stay and the bad apples should go. Players like Church, Schnieder and newly minted Nick Evans seem to be fresh, enthusiastic blood for the team and if we get a first baseman that can play baseball (and also stand when we play God Bless America -- Interjection here - when Delgado said in the beginning he would not stand for this song, I knew there was a bit of a 'tude.

If Willie does get fired, I say we clone The Ole Perfesser. "Can't anybody here play this game?" Casey was a prognosticator and must have been looking ahead at 2008.

Can We Clone Nick Evans?

What a day! Nick Evans, just called up from the farm, looking like a boyish Jerry Seinfeld, swung a mean stick. Collecting three doubles and two RBI. Let's just say he led by example, showed up the team and got them fired up.

You know, with the DL summoning many a Met these days (Marlon "Pinch Hit a Specialty" Anderson, Moises "Again" Alou, Pedro, El Duque etc...) the new blood - Fernando Tatis included has given the Mets an extra spice that helped them win.

I like Evans. He's a surprise. Looks very confident, shows good patience and judgement at the plate and is very hungry. The night before, he's in Double A Binghamton and then skips a level and literally steps up to the plate. This is the approach the Mets of Yore took -2005, 2006, 1986, 1988 and that especially scrappy 1973 team. The latter foundered most of the year before coming back to roar to the World Series. This is still a goal and it still can be done.

The story on the Mets web site,"Evans makes his mark right away" http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080524&content_id=2762234&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym is a good recap.

Willie Randolph summed it up:

"He hit a bomb in Spring Training off the center-field wall," Randolph recalled on Saturday. "I like his approach -- nice inside-out kind of swing. Usually with young kids, you notice that right away, the way they approach the at-bats. I just saw two or three at-bats at the most and watched him take a little BP.

"He's having a nice little year. We need some help. Guys are getting banged up again. Hopefully, we can get a little feel for what he can help us do, not just now but maybe in the future. He's one of our young prospects. I like young kids, and I like to see what they do."

I see a bright future for him. Go # 6~

Here's A Thought....

Maybe the Mets can go on Oprah and she can do one of her "makeover shows"

At first base, we used to have Carlos Delgado. now we have....

On the mound, we just got rid of all, but kept Maine and Santana...

Now, in the outfield and the bullpen, we did a nip here, a tuck there and sent a few of our subjects to AAA New Orleans...

A Priest, A Rabbi a Minister and a Shaman....

Walk into the ballpark. What's the joke? The 9 Men wearing the Mets uniform.

(I'm here all week, don't forget to tip the hostess and wait staff...).

So the Mets were ahead 2-1 in the seventh and the floodgates broke open. Beltran couldn't get to a ball that was hit to his left and that spurred a rally. Santana pitched well, but only 1 K.

4 losses and swept by the Braves, 3 losses to the Nats. Where does the logic start and the insanity end?

Today we hear the Moises Alou is going back on the DL with a strained calf. OK, I like Alou, he's a good hitter and it would have been nice to have him on the Metropolitans when he was younger. Is he going to be our version of Mike Hampton? Someone to keep way past their prime - what will be the value when healed? Is it worth the time? Alou is a proven player, but at this stage of the game, as a pensioner, he should be a DH somewhere.

The obvious question is who/what do you do to replace Alou? Is the outfield ready for Endy Chavez, Beltran and Church? I think someone stronger needs to be out there.

Here are a few I propose that we get via trade. Naturally, Pelfrey, Delgado, Heilmann and Castillo would be on the trading block:

• David Murphy - Rangers http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/fantasy?playerId=28582
• Josh Hamilton - Rangers http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/fantasy?statsId=6679&leagueId=3603
• Eric Byrnes - Diamondbacks http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4498

I'd be interested in hearing others who would be an asset...

The Gashouse Gorllias vs. The Teetotalers -- OR, Braves vs. Mets

I'm watching the "contest" against the Braves and the bottom of the seventh just ended. Seven batters came to the plate and the score is now 11-2. Not going to tell you who is ahead, but I hope the Mets get an 8th and 9th inning rally going.

After Church gets hit in the temple last night, the pews in Atlanta have been roaring and after being on the ground last night, I am glad he has risen.

But, the mystery remains on why the Mets can't put it together.

Take a look at this 7 minute Bugs Bunny cartoon, Baseball Bugs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkz3_LD5MVs&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GZHY_enUS243US243&q=%22bASEBALL%20B It is what the Mets are feeling now.

I'd just love for one of the Mets starters to say "watch me pace this pathetic palooka with a powerful paralyzing pachedermic percussion pitch...."

Ahhhh...see ya tomorrow. Time to hit the showers.

Piazza - No Matter How You Slice It, He Was the Best On The Dish

So, we all heard that Mike Piazza has officially hung up his catcher's mitt (NOT first baseman's mitt as the Mets tried to migrate him 90 feet from his preferred domicile) forever.

I, personally am saddened. Piazza was the sparkler that lit up the Mets when he came here after a week on the beach with the Florida Marlins in '98. I always admired him when he was a Dodger and he really made a big impression with the fans. Back when he first came on the scene in '92, his rookie baseball card was in the high stratosphere of price. Now, you judge a ballplayer by what % he is owned in fantasy leagues.
Piazza was everything Mets.

He brought that level of confidence to the plate and that in turn made all of us cynical Mets fans who endured the 80s, 90s and hot dogs like Bonilla, optimistic.


See article from MLB.com: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080520&content_id=2737852&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb



The kids admired him. The teens admired him and the adults admired him. He was a player that looked good and always gave it his all.

A very good friend of mine in my former field knew Mike Piazza's dad back in Norristown, PA and told me years ago he knew Mike as a supernice kid.

It's funny, we all know how he was drafted by Tommy Lasorda as a favor to Mike's dad. He went 62 rounds, the 1390th pick overall - and what happens? A Hall of Fame Career. This shows you anything is possible in baseball. Summary of Draft: http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.cgi?year_ID=1988&round=62&draft_type=junreg

Mike, we miss you. Note to Mets - Retire # 31

Random Met - Ed Kranepool

Well, somehow the proprietary algorithm picked Edward Emil Kranepool, one of the all-time Mets greats who came up as a teenager and played every game of his career with the Mets.

He still holds many team records and probably will for years to come.

I had the pleasure of meeting him when I was a kid. He came to my baseball camp and gave tips, signed autographs (somewhat reluctantly) and we were all thrilled to see him. I see him patrolling 1st base every time I go to Shea. Some things just stick with you.

I hope many of today's Mets look at Ed as a Beacon -- he is truly what the orange and blue is all about.

Tomorrow, we have a double header against the Braves. Granted, my radio will be on at work.

Ship Seems To Be Wrighted

Its midway through the Sunday night game and besides surviving Ollie Perez's scary and unpredictable pitching (Nice K of Abreau and leaving the runner at 3rd...) I am trying to also stomach Joe Morgan. I normally like him but for most Sunday night games, I pay attention to it, then do a few errands...but, man, he can get to you with some of his oddball comments. But I rather hear him than Tim McCarver.

So far the game is going well and the Mets seemed to have found their stride. Playing better ball and confidence seems to be back. We have 3 more innings to go, and Joe Smith is warming up. Let's hope the last place Yanks have trouble hitting side armers.

I'm tapped out for now. Double header on Tues...Can't wait!

Beating Your #1 Rival in THEIR House...

I watched with anticipation, trepidation and cautiousness -- and that is just the pregame show -- of today's contest between the Mets and the Yankees.

As mentioned in yesterday's posting, I went to the game and it was called as we got past the turnstiles.

There is an aura of confidence with the team when Santana pitches and I must say, it was a gem despite giving up the HRs. Boys and Girls, this is a known fact that he surrenders many round trippers. I heard since 2001 he is 9th on the active list.

My level of confidence was inflated ten thousand fold when the graphic popped up that said the Yankees were 0-22 when trailing in the seventh inning. (And they call Mariano Rivera "Mr. Automatic." -- Now we can make that 0-23.

Crowds make a game like today and while the novelty of interleague play has worn off (probably in all honesty, circa 1999 - I still love these contests. Bragging rights never go out of style...

Team Meeting = Better Chemistry?

Larry Fine in his article...(no, not THAT Larry Fine- pictured here) said there was a clubhouse meeting amongst the Mets tonight. Game was postponed due to rain. Of course, not more than 30 seconds after gaining entry to Yankee Stadium, my friend received a call from other folks that the game was cancelled.

In any event, the Mets really need a shake-up with the team to get that cohesive gel together.

Article: I wonder if Phil Linz can dust off that old harmonica and give the Mets that much needed morale boost. http://www.travel-watch.com/harmonica.htm

I'm remaining a fan through this. I survived the early 90s. This is nothing.

Lary's article: http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSSP27940020080517

Harry The Hat had it Right

To sum up the Mets 1-0 loss to the Nats and the worst team takes 3 out of 4 from the Mets...Harry "The Hat" Walker, Manager of the Houston Astros -- Or was it Pilots Manager, Joe Schultz, who used to say, "Now That's What's Wrong With The World Today!" summed it up.

Pelfrey finally had his game on. Mets can't get any ducks to waddle home.

I'm heading to the game Friday night against the Yankees. Gotta buckle up.

Another Loss to the Nationals Ah S***

Take a look at the last word of the title, particularly the greeked out letters.

OK, this is what the Mets need to do - H-I-T -- with some consistency. And PITCH.

Heilman now scares me.

It seems that every reliever gives me the tensions I used to feel when John Franco would come into the game. You KNEW they were going to blow it, but the question was WHEN?

Just peel the band-aid off quickly and the pain is over. Don't rip it slowly.

JOY. Pelfrey is pitching tomorrow. Break out the confidence towels.

Let me end the rant here. I am just plain dumbfounded how things unravel. I used to take middle relief pitching for granted, but it really is the heart of making or breaking the game. For once, I'd like to see it be the "make."

Box Score: NOTE - NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280514121

Sosa and Figueroa - Packing the Steamer Trunks

Bon Voyage Jorge and Nelson.

The Mets needed to make a move -- a right move, and this is it. Lately, the bats are alive and the middle relief has been blowing it. Sosa was either lights out (more like candles blown out) when he was on, other times, little leaguers could hit him better than they could a T-Ball.

Duaner was almost a goner after he had two on and was able to get out of the inning. Don't think he's immune.

What puzzles me is the talk about sending down Joe Smith. He's pretty safe and gets the job done. The sidearm motion is one that baffles many a batter.

I plan to talk about sidearmers a little later down the road in a post, but want to emphasize I am all for them. Mets had Chad Bradford, Brad Clontz and a few others in the past.

Nice to see Fernando Tatis come back...only because he is the only man in history to hit 2 *yes, Dos* grand slams in one inning. I'd settle for one a game to get the lead and the win.

It is going to be interesting to see the middle relief in the coming days. Wise, and others. But, one thing mystifies me is how Scott Schoenweis is escaping scrutiny.

Back to my dayjob (well, tomorrow, it is late as I write this)...If I had all the solutions, I'd be a GM.

On another note, I got a ticket for the Friday night game against the Yankees. Santana on the mound. I won't jinx myself, but this is the first Mets game in eons I went to where there was a Name Pitcher (thanks Jim Bouton for that phrase - well, really, "name player") besides Ollie Perez, Pelfrey and Figueroa. OH. Not to mention Chan Ho Park who I got to see pitch in his lone appearance with the Mets last year. He was on the mound and the folks in the stands were the ones that were doing the hurling.

Pie....I'm Having A Slice, and Seconds Are Coming Without Action

A few years ago, I noticed that the lowly Tampa Bay Devil Rays (THERE! I said Devil prior to Rays) always used to Whup the living daylights out of the first place Yankees at least once a year by some lopsided score, 18-1, 16-2 maybe even a 13-0 thrown in at some point.

There I was sitting high with my mighty Mets who may have lost the same day too, but not as bad. Maybe a 9-7 or a 6-3 or maybe even 4-3.

So, what happens today, I gorge myself on some pie. Humble Pie. The lowly Nationals some how again tore apart the Mets as they had their momentum going. After the score reached double digits, I knew I was on a second helping. These losses are fattening. So fattening, that no one was able to sit in the orange seats by the 7th inning.

All I know is I am going to pass up the humble pie the next time a trouncing like this happens and just break out the tissues and weep.

12 Hits, 4 Runs and 16 men left on base for the Mets...OH, the good news? The Nats left 21 on base. Shudder to think what the score WOULD have been if there was hustle?

For "posterity" here is the box score: http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280512121

Let's Stand The Heat...And Stay in The Ball Park

Someone, somewhere in some locker room shook up the Mets in a positive way and their momentum is back.

A good win over the Reds today. Ollie Perez looked a bit shaky in the early stages, but managed to escape severe damage.

I had the ticket for today's game, but had to give it to a good friend since it was Mother's Day. But, I had the game on in the background and enjoyed it.

Griffey had a good series and it was nice to see Junior back. Wish he came to the Mets several years ago. Odd stat... something like Junior hit 438 home runs (give or take) by the age of 31 and only 159 since 2001. Imagine if he was injury free during this period. Barry Bonds would have been a footnote.

Delgado has a Hitting Streak Going..We are Turning the Corner

Yes. The headline is accurate. If you told me two weeks ago I would be writing something like that, I would have probably had you committed. The last 7 games, Carlos has gotten on base and now is average is in the .236 range. Mendoza-like for him, but from what it was, its a XMAS gift for the rest of us.

Very nice decisive wins - two 12 run games in a row. But as I am writing this, they are in the top of the 9th in the second of the day/night doubleheader and losing 4-1. (Hoping for a turnaround. This would be true Mets Magic as we have come to know).

RAMBLINGS...Interesting stat that Brian Schnieders home run was his first extra base hit of the year. More to come. And, if I saw things correctly, Pelfrey pitched without the mouth guard...Nice to see Willie brought in Billy when the Mets were losing. Sometimes it makes sense in a non-save situation to preserve the other teams lead by good pitching defense, then come back with a bat-wielding offense. UGH...A run scored.

Figeroua and Maine (Then Pray for Rain)

Well, the title isn't as catchy as "Spahn and Sain, then Pray for Rain" but it worked and tomorrow we are going to be treated to a day/night DH with the Reds.

Two days of rest is going to be good for the Mets. Especially for the bicep/tricep weary bullpen.

I think it is time for us to start putting our mid-season wish list together. A few pitchers for sure. Why not take a few that Billy Beane in Oakland has been developing. He gets some solid, bargain basement kids with good numbers.

Getting back to the games..."Let's WIN two" (Sorry Ernie Banks for modifying your signature quote, but we need it).

No More Power in the Big Red Machine

During the heyday of the Reds when Sparky Anderson was at the helm and the infield was comprised of guys named Rose (yep, Pete), Perez (Si' Tony) and Conception (Yes, Dave) -- and other top players, centered around Johnny Bench squatting over the dish, the Cincinnati team was known as "The Big Red Machine" - in my view, its because they steamrolled the competition. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Red_Machine

Fast forward a few decades and into the new century and what do you have? A team decimated by lack of top quality players and injured stars long past their prime (for the record, I always admired Ken Griffey, both Per and Fils).

So, it is now incumbent upon the Mets to kick start their engines and roll over the Reds in the Blue and Orange Machine.

I expect a sweep.

Dozen Runs...Good Momentum

Short post tonight, but the Mets played ball well today.

I didn't see the whole game, just parts of the replay, but they looked good.

Maine is going to be a solid anchor with the ball (and the bat too!) - Side note -- ever since my recent post about pitchers that hit, well...pitchers HAVE been hitting.

A bit of residue came from last night's game. Always nice to see a 40+ year old man coming off hernia surgery and a sore ankle stealing a base...May I add, home plate!

Guys, take Thursday off and focus on scoring, hitting and spraying the ball. The momentum will turn around.

See you guys tomorrow.

Mail it In? No. Mets Need to Stamp Some Runs

Early talk this year was the Mets were going to be a lock to go to the playoffs and beyond. We are only one month into the season, and by going 16-13 every month, well, its not the ticket to get there and be the best -- unless the season runs a dozen years straight.

I have heard some friends say that Randolph must go. This is nuts for the time being. It is in the personnel. Beltran, Delgado, Castillo and the pitching staff are just having horrendous periods.

I want to focus on Beltran here for a sec. He's only hitting around .216 and there just doesn't seem to be any zip or emotion in him. I guess once the check is cashed, the incentive is gone.

Walter Alston, manager of the Dodgers from circa 1955 until circa 1976/77 had the right idea. One year contracts. The multi-year deal has taken the vinegar out of the players, and we are just left with piss. (If you recall, piss and vinegar = spryness).

Let's get it back. Beltran, step up to the plate. And wait for your pitch and swing. Don't let it go by. (We all remember 2006 and our tolerance will not forgive more incidents like that).

Even Thomas Edison Would Have Considered the Ollie Perez Experiment a Dim Bulb

OK. So, maybe it IS me, but I am not enthralled with the performance that Ollie Perez has given us tonight. Beyond sloppy is the best phrase that can be tagged -- and we are only in the bottom of the 4th as this is being penned.

Ollie, if we recall was the throw-in for that unbeknownst logic trade that brought Roberto Hernandez for - ** GASP ** X-Man, Xavier Nady.

I think that Thomas Edison, who took "one thousand steps" to develop the light bulb would agree that Perez's performance as of late is dull and incandescent.

We need to sweep Torre's Dodgers.

Diamond (In The Rough) Backs - a Nice W!

The Diamondbacks held a Big Carat in front of the Mets for most of the weekend, but the Amazing's, in my opinion, pulled off a good series. But, I think the team from the sandland is going to be tough the rest of the year. Not only do they have a nice young line-up, but their pitchers wield mean lumber...And, that Bob Melvin is a genius skipper as he has a proven Micah Owings who can swing with the best -- and rookie pitcher, Max Scherzer (who will be making his debut on Monday, May 5 got some time as a pinch-runner.

Santana pitched a good game, but Willie needs to give the pen a little rest. Rightie vs. Rightie; Leftie vs. Leftie - that has to cool down a bit.

Box Score for historical posterity: http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280504129

Till tomorrow...

Play Ball!

Is Pelfrey Imploding?

Mets played a little better, a little hustle against what I believe could be a team that is going to the W.S. if the Mets don't pick it up.

But Pelfrey is just horrible out there and Duaner Sanchez was giving runs away like priests giving candy to children.

Perhaps if Pelfrey takes out the mouth guard, we may get some semblance of....I don't know - something. He has yet to get past the 5th inning and our bullpen is getting bullied.

Box Score: http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280503129

First Pitch - Triple By Reyes - Church SF - 1-0...HUSTLE

That's what I call the old Mets.

As this is being written, top of the first, Arizona Diamondbacks, the Mets look to be back in their signature form that seemed to have been tossed overboard and "abandoned ship" after the last few games.

Moises Alou just singled and drove another one in.

To quote the phrase from the 80s... THE MAGIC IS BACK.

(I hope this momentum will hold up the rest of the game) - and beyond.

EVEN DELGADO JUST GOT A HIT!!!!!!!!!

OK, I'm going to watch and cheer my boys on the rest of the game.

Box score: http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280502129

Random Met - Greg Harts - 1973

Slow night. Night off. Recovering from the wounds of the 13-1 loss to the Pirates. The Mets fans now empathize the effect of pouring salt on a slug...

So, without further adieu, here is .... Greg Harts.... who falls in the "Players We Would Like to See More Of" Category.

A September 1973 call-up, Harts appeared in 3 games, had two ABs and slammed a nice single, before disappearing into oblivion.

http://www.ultimatemets.com/profile.php?PlayerCode=0218

Harts is also nicely chronicled here: http://books.google.com/books?id=C-k0Ylqf4cQC&pg=PA110&lpg=PA110&dq=%22greg+harts%22+mets&source=web&ots=8F4qr3KKwh&sig=QNwRPDE2ZI2-0rcW9B3UDj3FaFo&hl=en a book called One Hit Wonders by George Rose

Casey Stengel + Yogi Berra's Logic = More Cohesive than Today's Game

"Living on the lighted stage approaches the unreal"
--Rush

The short sentence above says it all for today's game.

I happened to take it in live, and it was the first time ever in my life where I wished I was back at my desk than being at a ballpark.

Sloppy. Unreal. Bonehead mistakes on some bona fide routine plays. What was Castillo thinking when he made the error at second base? Who taught Angel Pagan how to bobble balls in left? (He's very good at that). Where was Jose Reyes in that faux rundown? David Wright had a few bad plays, and dare I say the hurling of Ollie Perez made me want to, uh, hurl. (Footnote: for those who know me, I never like to use the same word in a sentence twice, but "hurl" is appropriate and must be re-iterated).

I just had the chance to see the recap of the game on SNY and Adam Rubin's column in the New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2008/04/wagner-calls-out-perez-after-b.html cites that he said the word "desire" and he is right. There was no desire -- in anyone on the field today. Going through the motions is not what you call "playing baseball" in my view.

My tickets cost only $5 and we were able to migrate to the orange seats after awhile, but you know what, I still feel as a fan, I was ripped off.

A friend of mine, also a die hard Mets fan called me up and tried to console the loss by justifying that only 4 of the runs were "earned" so it was really a 4-1 game. A colleague who I went with asked, "are you a stay till the end fan?" and I replied "sure, I believe a 13 run 9th inning 2-out rally is not out of the question.

Let me conclude by coming back to the opening quote of this blog...It's like going to a Broadway play waiting to see a cast full of stars, and all that show up on the stage are just a bunch of unheralded understudies.

A Tough, Draining Win

Too hard to watch...Delgado K'ing with the bases loaded....just a sloppy game and I am too drained to write about it. Glad it was a W and thank Wright for getting on track.

For posterity, here's the box score: http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280429121

Is Carlos Delgado Ted Williams? Then BFD on the Curtain Call

Carlos Delgado finally got off the schnied yesterday and hit 2 HRs in a Mets W over the Braves. All of a sudden, he is required to tip his hat in a curtain call??? Am I missing something here? He's hitting .205 or so, went something like 4 for 46 and now he's required to doff the cap to the Shea crowd? We have better things to worry about.

Remember, the great Ted Williams homered in his last at bat, crossed the plate and didn't acknowledge the fans (and, ostensibly, he basically DOUBLED Delgado's present average in 1941)... Here's a video of a classic at-bat. For Carlos, you need to up your production a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPAvbBYCqCk

Knowing Your *A*s*s From First Base -- OR, Who Will Be There Next Year?

Today I attended my second Mets game of the year and prior to the game, I saw a column in Newsday about Mark Texiera as an early candidate for First Base next year: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-splenin275665127apr27,0,4157601.story

David Lennon cites logical reasons why it may happen. And, I think it could be a good addition. Piazza won't return to the first sack, so we need to see where our bread (two pieces) will be buttered.

Now, I read the article this morning, and what happens? Delgado must have read it too fearing for his job as he clubbed 2 HRs today against the Braves. See Box Score: http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280427 But Delgado is aging and sadly, this is a detriment to the current team. Several other Mets greats aged out and it is time to closely watch Delgado and see where the team is headed. A sub-200 average can't cut it at the end of April.

Who would I like to see there? Well, Obviously, Albert Pujols, but let's be a little more realistic and not Disneyfantasyland...Adrian Gonzalez, Mike Jacobs (would be a return of the native) and Kevin Youklis could be some good, middle market grabs. Let's see what happens...

Nice Bounceback Over the Braves

Short and sweet here. Things came together and there was a feeling of cohesiveness. Often, I found that when the Mets bring in a new player, this case, the catcher Molina, everyone tries harder.

I believe this was a turning point for the Mets.

NOTE: Wagner has not allowed a hit in 9 innings.

Where Do We Begin? Where Does it End?

Stats have been baffling...

• Delgado is mired in a 4 for 45 slump.
• Middle relief is suffering
• Leads aren't being held. Case in point, Mets leading 3-1 on the Braves, then lose and don't have any hits since the 3rd inning.

The announcers on SNY.TV during the game were talking about getting fixed in a Mantra -- and I agree. Last year it was along the lines of "We may be losing all these ballgames, but we are in first place." Now it seems to be "It's Early." "It's April." Not good to have these because whatever time interval that you wish to add will be false justification.

The Braves have been stifled since 05 and have not seen the post season, largely thanks to the Mets. Let's keep that streak going. Play some focused baseball. Watch the seams on the ball as it comes to you. Drill down, wait for your pitch, fellow Mets.

A Forensic Rant

Winning. Losing. All part of life and sports.

Losing against a rough, tough opponent with 100% effort, there is no shame. But, if you crumble like an accordion against, what was, nearly 3-4 years ago, a team without TWO countries (Expos-Canada / Nationals-DC), then something is wrong.

Remember the painful memories of the collapse last year? Well, it is rooted in games like these. A few bad games against bad teams not only stir the standings, but the mental aspect of the game and team dynamic.

So, what has to happen? Middle relief needs to get it together. Heilmann is giving runs away like the supermarkets used to give green stamps. I saw a stat the in the last few games, in approx 20 relief innings, there were 19 hits, 4HRs including a granny and the list goes on.

It makes me wonder why a guy like Heath Bell, who was somewhat decent, though not great was let go. Now he's doing even better. I used to take middle relief for granted but now starting to realize it is just as important as the guy who hits grand slams.

So, let's move forward and press on with some solid wins. The Braves come to town this weekend and let's hope the recent four out of 5 losses were flukes.

See you at the ball park.

Johan Santana --- Are You Reading My Blog?

That would be cool if you are.

As my most recent posts concentrated on pitchers that can hit, I consider it a wake-up call for the Mets hurlers. I am counting on you to give them pointers - heck, even guys like Delgado and Wright should perk their ears up too...Not only did you drill two convincing doubles, you also had a walk. Good Eye! Johan.

Box score: http://games.espn.go.com/flb/boxscorefull?leagueId=3603&teamId=1&scoringPeriodId=30&mode=otb&view=scoringperiod&version=full

If I Knew Then What I Know Now --- OR, Glad We Didn't Get Barry Zito

As I look back over the last few posts, I realized they all had a connection through pitching. As much as a fan of baseball that I am, for some reason, I don't relate well to the pitching aspect. I always took more of an offensive approach. (Maybe because when I played, it was either OF or 1B...Only when desperate, did a team put me in to pitch...

Anyway, during the winter of 2006, all the talk was on the Mets getting Barry Zito. I chided a good friend and co-worker that he wasn't worth the $ - and he liked to rib me by saying that his team, the Giants, were a better fit. And, I think they are. With Zito's 0-4 record (as I am writing this, he is ahead by a run over the Diamondbacks - http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280422129 ) the Mets fans would have ran him out of town a la Ed Whitson. Just imagine, Mike Pelfrey, a home-grown Met was being ridiculed late last year with his 0-and-something record.

Zito will come around, and his back class will support him, but we were smart to wait it out and land Santana.

Other notes...been a bit upset that the Mets lost 3 in a row -- especially two to the Cubs. I don't know what is wrong with Delgado, but he should be righted soon.

Well, I'll be back tomorrow, so stay tuned...I welcome any and all comments and...See you at the BallPark.

Mets v. Cubs

OK. Another loss. It's late, so I don't feel like writing much, but one stat came to me during the game I thought was quite amusing (which sort of follows the theme from my post from yesterday). Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano is the ONLY switch hitter in the Cubbie's line up.

12 Career Homers too! http://www.baseball-reference.com/z/zambrca01.shtml

Pitch In - Pitchin' Stop Bitchin'

Marty Noble is a writer I enjoy reading and today, he did an interesting column titled "Church was ready to toe slab" http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080420&content_id=2562290&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym --Please note, this has nothing to do with the Pope's visit (though I am watching the Sunday Night ESPN game and I wish the Pope blessed the Mets (or cursed Chase Utley's bad as he clubbed 2HRs with 4 RBI).

Noble talks about the rare times when position players are called to pitch, usually during long inning affairs. There is a chart accompanying the article and it reveals that Matt Franco had the privilege of hurling twice. (Ironically, I used to hurl a lot when John Franco got in the game. I really would have rather seen Matt Franco or Julio Franco for that matter, pitch).

It is ironic that when running out of innings too, often pitchers are called to pinch-hit. Though I wouldn't want that to happen when the Mets are playing the Arizona Diamondbacks. They have this one kid, Micah Owings, who wields a MEAN bat...http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/owingmi01.shtml 20 Hits, 60 AB and 4 HRs.

Which leads me to this conundrum...

Ever notice in Little League and High School Ball, often extending past college, that the best hitter (AND player) on the team is usually the pitcher...Where does that line diminish? As you can plainly see the pitcher is most often the easiest out -- YET, they shouldn't be since they know what is being thrown.

Anyway, getting back to the long inning games, let's make a prediction that we will have that situation happen twice this year. Ryan Church and Endy Chavez will be handed the ball...(ANYONE have Rick Ankiel on speed-dial?)

Footnote - Even Ted Williams once pitched an inning...

Not to Pick on Mike Hampton, but COME ON NOW....

All right. I'll admit it. (You probably never would have guessed that I am......A big fan of Fantasy Baseball. Good feeling being perched in an ivory tower and moving your players like chess pieces (and chattel)...sometimes you look like an absolute genius (still waiting on this end) and other times -- implosion is the result.

So, in one of my leagues, I am looking for a pitcher and who is on the list of free agents? Mike Hampton. Surprisingly, he is owned by 1.2% of owners in the ESPN Fantasy League Baseball (NOTE TO SELF - Invite these 1.2% to my next garage sale and jack up the prices).

Anyway, the word about Hampton:


Hampton (pectoral) threw another pain-free bullpen session prior to Saturday's game against the Dodgers, the Associated Press reports.

Spin: "Facing competition, I'm going to think about it," Hampton said. "It's not an overnight thing. I've just got to get to where I just worry about getting hitters out. Mentally, I'm just a little timid maybe. I'm still trying to feel my way through it." Hampton threw 50 pitches, including breaking balls, during Saturday's session. There's still no set timetable for his return to the Atlanta rotation, but Hampton appears to be at least another two weeks away.
RotoWire Sat, April 19

Puh-leese. And you are getting all this money? Glad you aren't a Met anymore!

In other news, Mets held their own against the Philies today. Ollie pitched a nice game, but Schoenweis, the second coming of John Franco (that's NOT a good thing) gave up a gopher ball to Chase Utley, thereby killing the shutout.

Wright is on fire and putting up some great numbers with a hot bat.

I have noticed that Omar Minaya and Willie Randolph are really letting guys like Wright, Reyes and other "home grown" players a chance to get reaalllll good. Under previous GMs, the patience level was poor and many a great player was traded away and then performed well on other teams...

Well, Sunday night, we have an ESPN game...should be nice.

See you at the Ball Park

Santana - Hamels

All I can say for tonight, this was a good - classic - pitching match up. Santana was brilliant, but the bullpen almost blew it - thank you Billy W for preserving the W.

Hamels reminds me, for some odd reason, Steve Carlton -- or any of the pitchers in the 60s/70s with that leg movement in the air.

QUACK QUACK....QUACK QUACCCCKKKKKK

The noise being made in the headline is from a couple of ducks...speaking of ducks, I can think of two that are "ducking" the Mets.

Isn't it "odd" how Glavine skipped a spot in the rotation a earlier in the season when the Braves were slated to play the Mets...and now Paul LoDUCKer - er, LoDuca, is nowhere to be seen. I'm scratching my head but wasn't he who said the best part about going to the Nationals is they played the Mets nearly 12 times in 2008? Paulie - how many of the Duzzen ya gonna miss?

A Part of All of Us Dies With This Fan

Tragic News about the Mets fan who fell from the escalator: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/nyregion/16cnd-shea.html

Antonio Nararainsami, we pray for you and your family and whenever a Mets fan passes from our world, we can know they were touched by a team that meant a lot.

Baseball reached out to this fan, originally from Guyana and he became a true follower of the game.

I never knew you, but I am sure we could have talked baseball for hours.

In Tribute of Jackie Robinson, Mets Blank Nationals -- and, WHO Was Dan Bankhead? Someone that MUST be remembered

Today was a milestone day...

As we all know, Jackie Robinson first broke into the Majors on TAX Day, 1947, some 61 years ago. Hard to believe that next year, had he lived, would have been 90!

Before I go further, there is one black ball player who came in the same year, just a few months later in August as a pitcher, beleive it or not, ALSO the Brooklyn Dodgers, yet as much as Jackie is rightly praised, this player is wrongly ignored.

His name was Dan Bankhead (see photo) and he made his debut on August 26 at the age of 27. He only appeared in 4 games, pitched 10 innings and came back a few years later after toiling in the farm system of the Dodgers.

Here's a little bit more about him from http://www.mlb.com/ ----> http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070824&content_id=2167234&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

And his stats and a brief snapshot from Baseball Almanac.com http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=bankhda01

So while we remember Jackie, think of many of the black ballplayers who played in obscurity in the first few years of the majors. And, especially those who were good, but never got out of the Negro Leagues.

Now, for today's game...Good to see Wright wielding a powerful RBI stick...Pelfrey had his act together and Duaner Sanchez was throwing a nice grooved changeup that baffled the batters. This game, even though against a weak team, proved to be important. And LoDuca, once hailed, now pariah, had a lame excuse with his hand.

Let's Stop the Cynicsm - It Ain't Gonna Produce Wins

This article is a good read from the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/sports/baseball/15mets.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin

I'm a bit tired today, but just want to jump on the soap box and yell to my Mets brethren the current attitude of booing and being cynical is wrong. Cut it. Immed-Jiately.

The Mets will come back, but if the fan support is gone by game 11, then just give up being a fan. Baseball is a game of patience.

I'll see you tomorrow.

First Game of the Year (For Me) -- The Long Subway Delay was the BEST part...

I am normally not cynical, but today's Met's game was just not good if you have any medical condition ranking above a hangnail (a disengaged eyelash qualifies).

After a 3 hour round trip commute to see the Mets squander themselves, I am just taken aback. (Accompanying photo is my commute, not the jam at Shea today)

My odyssey to get there was like the Metropolitans trying to hold on to their once enamored lead. Drive to a nearby town and take the bus over the GW Bridge. Then, I find out the subway is shut down and the shuttle bus would take us 10 blocks...(The wait for that bus was nearly 20 minutes)...Then the subway is on the local track only. I got off at the wrong one (given bad directions by a trusty-looking patron - waiting for another train, then transferring to another before walking to Shea. (I wont bore you with the details on the return trip but it was just as many legs)...I will quote an esteemed cousin of mine who always used to say "It's closer coming back"

Ollie Perez couldn't hold a lead. And play was just plain sloppy. Link to box score: http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280413121

I am going to make a deal with you, the Mets, my favorite team. For the next game, I have planned another transportation route that will save me at least one hour. All I ask is until I see you again in your house, figure out a better way to win.

Booing Santana Already??? Come On NY...Let's Get Real

I saw the game this afternoon (I put off the yardwork - something about time management)...

Yes. Johan wasn't as good as expected surrendering three gopherballs. Three is ordinarily 3 too many, but let's be realistic, he does have a propensity for giving up a lot of home runs as evidenced by this stint with the Twins. 33 alone last year. So there should not be any suprises.

Stats: http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/santajo02.shtml

He has a habit of grooving the ball right down in the right place in the strike zone. Something called pinpoint control.

Take a look at Peter Botte's article in the Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2008/04/hey-mets-fans-lay-off-johan.html One line says it all about his pitching performance: "Not Cy Young, but not Anthony Young" Let's also realize, Johan doesn't deserve the Ed Whitson treatment.

Tomorrow, Sunday, April 13, I am going to my first Mets game of the year. I do hope Jose Reyes is back in the line up.

Another Figueroa in Town...Nelson? Eddie? - Nelson Eddy - No, Nelson Figueroa

Feels like the good ole days.

We got a new Figueroa in town and Nelson did nothing short of a great game, gaining his first win since 2003.

Stats: http://www.baseball-reference.com/f/figuene01.shtml

Who could forget Ed Fig of the cross town Yankees with that big black mustache. Ed was in town after coming from the Angels with the legendary Mickey Rivers for Bobby Bonds.

Ironically, Ed was in the Mets farm system before going to a few teams playing in their respective farm systems before making it to the show.

Let's see what happens as the role of the 5th starter could be coming into fruition sooner than we think.

PLAY BALL!

ITS BACK! Random Met -- Today's "Winner" - Roberto Petagine

Certain things in life are sacred - the forumla for Coca Cola. The recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken and, perhaps, the most unheralded, but equally important, is my algorithm for selecting the Random Met.

I haven't done this in awhile, but the truth is I am rushed for time and don't have the creative juices for a few other topics that are swimming in the cabeza at the moment.


Without further BS, Heeeer'es Roberto Petagine.

Who?

Yes. Roberto Petgagine.

He was on the Mets. Like Casey Stengel said, "You Could Look it Up" -- You don't have to. Here are his stats: http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/petagro01.shtml

In 62 games, he batted .232 in his first year and .067 in his second. WOW. .067? The Little Sisters of the Poor's "B" squad WORST player hits in the low triple figures.

But some further reading on Roberto sheds an interesting light about his career in Japan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Petagine

NOTE: As I was writing this, Reyes scored from second on a line drive to center by Angel Pagan. Play at the plate was VERY close...but the Mets beat the Phils in a momentum victory.

Nice Win over the Phils

So, the Mets snapped a multi-game losing streak over the Phils, and Pelfrey gets a long awaited W. I'm starting to regain respect for his ability.

Poorly fielded game by the Phils. This is something you may expect in Tee-Ball.

The image accompanying this post is a non-verbal recap of the Phillie's glove game. Its an understatement to describe the 4 errors.

Scott Schoenweiss Should Be Washing Cars

Well, here goes a good thing shot to smithereens.

Willie, hand the ball to Scott Schoenweiss...Know what? You have a better shot of hitting KENO with all 20 numbers -- two games in a row -- than getting a stellar performance from him.

His pitching is reminiscent of John Franco. And, in my view, that is not a good thing. It amazes me that a hustler/do-er like Gotay gets let go and Scott, who has a propensity for blowing ball games stays.

The box score is sickening: http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280408121 Now he is tagged with a loss after Ollie Perez did a wonderful job of scoreless ball.

Willie, last year and the year before, you went to Mota a lot for odd reasons. Please don't make Scott the go-to guy. There is no way he is a reliever (Fireman)...The closest he should get to water is at a car wash.

Opening Day at Shea - It's the Last One There - NO WAY!

Who would have ever thought that Shea would close? It's an icon. Alas, I am not attending opening day, but a colleague of mine is. (Lucky Bastard).

However, I will have the game on the radio and will watch the re-run when I get home.

In the past, I have attended 2, maybe 3 opening days. I used to go with a few guys from school. There were four of us. Skip, Gary, Larry and myself. Though it has always been combinations of 3 -- every year, one of us couldn't make it.

Take a look at Marty Noble's article about Opening Day. Hard to believe close to 3,500 games have been played at Shea. Gees, pondering a question...I wonder if there are any original season ticket holders from 1964 to date who have never missed a game?

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080407&content_id=2500668&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym

Enough is Enough...Get the Carpetbaggers out of Baseball

We have all been bombarded with the recent steroid scandal and that has been stealing the headlines. But one thing that is hardly getting a radar blip is the useless carpetbaggers who are leeching their once great talents in baseball.

Since most of us are not professional baseball players, we can equate it with the office. We all know them or know someone who works with one. A talentless staffer who comes in late, leaves early, complains about everything and keeps getting raises and promotions. In sports, the media should be central about broadcasting these stories. Often times, it just sits there listless.

To segue, this is what kicked off the lead two paragraphs and the theme for this post...

I had the rare opportunity to take a day off this past Friday (though I still had to take a conference call) and during the afternoon, flipped on SNY -- they were playing a Mets game from 2000. How do I know? Well, I saw the subject of this blog pitching. The very detestable Mike Hampton.

Here's a guy who came to the Mets for one season, then had a hissy-fit and left. Each place he goes, he just becomes more brittle. Check this article: http://www.macon.com/sports/columnists/story/314997.html

The author, Jay Adams of the Macon.com really sums it up:

Hampton represents a huge question mark in an otherwise strong rotation. While he had a good spring, he hasn't pitched a regular-season game in nearly three years. That was supposed to change Thursday night.

But as Hampton was warming up for what looked like a start that would silence a lot of doubters, the improbable - or, perhaps, the obvious - happened: He caught the injury bug, again.

Hampton strained a pectoral muscle close to game time while throwing in the bullpen and was subsequently scratched from the lineup and placed on the 15-day disabled list.

The injury doesn't look too serious, but the concerns it raises are.

And, if you really want to get sick, look at his salaries (this is gleaned from the year before he played with the Mets until now:

1999 Houston Astros -$4,125,000
2000 New York Mets - $5,750,000
2001 Colorado Rockies - $10,500,000
2002 Colorado Rockies - $9,503,543
2003 Atlanta Braves - $13,625,000
2004 Atlanta Braves - $14,625,000
2005 Atlanta Braves - $15,125,000
2006 Atlanta Braves - $14,503,543
2007 Atlanta Braves - $14,500,000 (this was tied as the fourth highest salary in the NL behind Todd Helton, Jason Schmidt, Barry Bonds, Lance Berkman/Carlos Delgado)
Career (may be incomplete) - $106,575,086

I honestly do not like what Mike Hampton is doing to baseball. That money can be better spent. For starters, he should donate his salary to a charity and then give a portion to Baseball Assistance Team to help retired players who worked harder through serious injuries for salaries way under 100k.

To quote Jay Adams article... At what point does The Great Mike Hampton Experiment start to hurt the team? My reply to that: "The answer is it already has."

There is another player across town that embodies the Mike Hampton syndrome - His name is Carl Pavano. I will let some other blogger who is passionate about the Yankees blog about that fiasco.

Wearing the Mets uniform is sacred. What Hampton has done to the Mets uniform, despite his being named as NLCS MVP in 2000, is deplorable. Leave baseball now. Make the fans and some minor leaguer who deserves a roster spot happy.

Well, I WAS Rooting for Ruben Gotay

All last year when the Mets needed to find infielders with all of the maladies hitting the team, and, for a chance to spell the regulars now and then, Ruben Gotay proved to be a capable hitter and fielder. Am I touting him for the Hall of Fame? No. But he was a good role player in certain situations and was needed. http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/gotayru01.shtml

It goes beyond my walnut-sized brain for comprehension, but WHY did the Mets put him on waivers? Look, they kept Chan Ho Park for a long time and various other players in the minors, but it was plain to see this was a bad move. And, the salt in the wound - the Braves pick him up.

When he batted in today's game, I wanted him to make an "I TOLD YOU SO" statement. And, it appears he did...a liner up the middle. First hit as a Brave. It had no impact on the score, but surely, the Mets acted a bit too quickly in getting rid of him.

Glavine - OHHH How We Are Waiting To Seeeee Yooooou!

An open note to Tom Glavine.

Please don't be self conscious with all of those millions of vindictive eyes on your mound appearance this weekend.

Sure, we remember your debacle towards the end of the year as you were giving away runs like Sisters of Charity providing for the needy.

So, what do you do? You retreat because of $ and no guts to face the world of Mets fans. Sure we admired you when you were on the mound at Shea, but the last year it just came apart at the seams.

We are hoping you give the Braves a taste of what you did for us. We may not score 8 runs in the first inning, but we will inflate your ERA so much, it will look like a zeppelin.

Play Ball!

Pedro - Donde Esta? or Where Have You Gone Pedro Martinez, Our Nation Turns Its Lonely Eyes to You.. BOO HOO HOO

Four to Six Weeks. Six to Eight Weeks. Hell, just say eternity, for that's what it will seem like for #45 to return.

We have witnessed this in the past that he is strong on the mound when at the top of his game, but can be as fragile as balsa wood and snap. And, the reparation period to me seems to be akin to gluing a dropped vase. The parts may all be there, but congruency is ruined. It takes a few weeks for him to regain his form. Ostensibly, what can we do, but pray he gets better quickly and that the doctors are overestimating his condition to be cautious.

Whenever I think of bad breaks in pitching, David Clyde, Todd Van Poppel, Brien Taylor and a slew of others, it just simply makes me shudder. Pedro is a fantastic pitcher, but now is not the time for him to be hurt.

I think managers must make the players more accountable for fitness and flexibility - but that is a whole 'nother topic for the next time.

This blogger, "The Power Zone" and I are in agreement: http://joeyashcraftsblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/pop-goes-pedroand-mets-season.html

Managing the Managers

OK...Time for a little fun and a gut-instinct rating. Since 1962, 17 men have been at the helm of the esteemed Metropolitans.

Going to give a personal gut rating *as I am writing this, the Mets are trouncing the Marlins 11-0, middle of the 7th...)

Rating is by Stars

Willie Randolph 2004-Present --- *****

Art Howe 2003-04 --- **

Bobby Valentine 1996-2002 ***

Dallas Green 1993-96 **

Jeff Torborg 1992-93 *

Mike Cubbage 1991 3-4 **

Bud Harrelson 1990-91 **

Davey Johnson 1984-90 *****

Frank Howard 1983 **

George Bamberger 1982-83 **

Joe Torre 1977-81 **

Joe Frazier 1976-77 **

Roy McMillan 1975 **

Yogi Berra 1972-75 *****

Gil Hodges 1968-71 *****

Salty Parker 1967 **

Wes Westrum 1965-67 *

Casey Stengel 1962-1965 ***** (Gotta give the Ole Perfesser 5)

The Pedro See-Saw

Ugh. Don't tell me that Pedro is going to be out with another injury after only pitching 4 innings?

I wish MLB managers would get wise and realize that when you warm up in Florida or Arizona for 3 months, once you hit the colder climate, your muscles take the hit.

Stretching is important. As a runner, I feel that all athletes should put in a good period of time to stretch.

OK. I'm done being Jack LaLanne for the night. I am about to do my 8-hour impression of Rip Van Winkel. (Or, Casey Stengel on the bench, circa 1962.

Play Ball