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