500 Homers - 300th Post and a Win...

A night of milestones - both unexpected.

Gary Sheffield got his first HR as a Met and it was # 500..when you saw the way the players embraced him, it was electrifying. Tell me there is no animosity in the clubhouse...seems the players like him. Until he does otherwise, he should be a Met that should be saluted. Ironically, that homerun came off the Brewers - the team he broke in with.

Is it me, or are the Brewers a bit on the stout side? Prince Fielder is listed at 270 and Pitchers Seth McClung (250) and Todd Coffey (240) certainly look bigger than that...if so, lay down the bunts and watch em scramble.

For this blogger, this is the 300th post to Ultimetfan1969 since it started in Mid 2006. I would say during that time, I had about 10-15 friends step in and write guest blogs...

I'm heading for the game tomorrow...lets see the Amazing's win! This time a leading victory vs. a come from behind.

My First Game at CitiField....METS, that is....

Wonderful place to watch a game...however, I got caught in the cold swirls of the winds...and so did the Mets.


Was a little disappointed to see them lose AGAIN to the Padres....especially since the Pads have picked up a lot of players that other teams released...REtreADRES should be the name of the team...but these retreads steamrolled us.

Next in person game for me is this Saturday and I hope to have better news.

First W at CitiField

W
Now it's part of the Mets DNA in their new castle.

I only got a chance to watch a little of the game tonight in the 7th inning, but what I saw was hustle ball - the way baseball is supposed to be played - the way the Mets SHOULD play routinely.

Taking advantage of 10 straight balls, they loaded the bases and took advantage of poor throws, bad pitching and when Jose Reyes scored from first on a gaffe - why, that brought it to a nice conclusion.

Box score is here: http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=290415121

Tomorrow will be my first official Mets game at CitiField...Can't wait!

Mets Need a Savoir

Hi All --

I'm a bit jammed today, but a fellow Mets Maniac who stepped up to the plate a few times in the past to write, MT, is back...here is the blogpost for today...

Okay, so here we are seven games into the 2009 season, and our beloved Mets are just plain pathetic.

Am I the only one who thinks John Maine should be our number two starter? Why are they giving Pelfrey so much credit?Defense aside, the Mets really need an offensive spark - a savior, if you will.

Per the following ESPN article - http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sweetspot/0-1-44/Mets--Sheffield-to-get-outfield-start.html - my prayers have been answered.

I am confident that if Gary Sheffield is afforded enough ABs, he can re-emerge as a deadly power hitter and help the Mets win some ball games.I am not liking what I've seen from the Mets so far, but maybe it's still a little too early to criticize them.

Thoughts?

New Home - But We Got PadCasted

Brand new home. Doors open. The Friars come in and vandalize our new house. It was a relief and long awaited debut and the enthusiasm is there.

Wright's HR...nice...Loss - not so. Jodi Gerut came from nowhere and basically hit us all in the Gut...(first player to EVER lead off in a new ball park with a homer).

I was impressed, but Pelfrey needs to get the rust out and the Mets lost to a team that was basically a doormat in the NL last year (I know, they swept the Metropolitans at the end of the year).

Turn it around...back on Wed.

Sorry...not that creative today.

Ramblings (And Shamblings)

Where do we start? The bounce out of Daniel Murphy's glove today at first appeared to be innocuous (the Mets could make up a run, right?) -- uh, not today. I like Murphy, and, personally think he's on the same trajectory as Wright and Reyes en route to making this a dynasty. But, a rookie mistake, IS a rookie mistake....BUT, two hands are what you use to trap a ball...At the end of the year, this is a loss you look back on --- If you miss the playoffs or wild card by, dare I say - One game...

On to better things...tomorrow night, the MOST anticipated night in Mets history since....(1964?) - the Metropolitans officially move into their new digs.

Let's start a solid winning streak at home!

That's all for now--- PLAY BALL

The Marlins Triangle (9th Inning)

Seems like every time the Mets play the Marlins, things are good up until the 9th inning. To wit, there IS NO sure thing, even with an 8-2 lead.

I have found implosion, then resurrection to be routine in these situations, and, to quote Jerry Manuel, it seems to be a high wire act.

Nice to see Livan Hernandez pitch very well, and was glad that the Mets have a side-armer in Darren O'Day. Easter tomorrow, so we are hoping for a W and for our pitchers to put "eggs" across the board.

The Mets of Sisyphus

Those pesky Marlins for some reason are foreboding to the Mets and the contests are usually tantalizing obstacle courses. Give a little, take a little, give a little, tie the game. Get Jeremy Reed to tie the game and then va-voom, the Marlins come back in the dip of the final frame and take it.

Reminds me of a story we had to read in Intro Philosophy in college - it dealt with Sisyphus. Well, I'll let Wikipedia pick it up:

As a punishment from the gods for his trickery, Sisyphus was compelled to roll a huge rock up a steep hill, but before he could reach the top of the hill, the rock would always roll back down again, forcing him to begin again.[2] The maddening nature of the punishment was reserved for Sisyphus due to his hubristic belief that his cleverness surpassed that of Zeus.

Remind you of today's loss to the Slippery fish? The Rock here is a run...ever elusive.

This is the Ollie We Paid $36 Million For...

With all due respect to the great Oliver Hardy, who in my opinion was one of the comic geniuses of all-time, our Oliver Perez couldn't have bumbled more that our pal at the left did. Wait - let me change that, he bumbles MORE!

(Keep in mind, Mr. Hardy was acting and wasn't this way in life. However, Mr. Perez looks good in the beginning and then the bottom drops out).

I was kicking myself for the first few innings for NOT picking him up as a starting pitcher in a fantasy league, but then all of a sudden, I had the feeling of validating my gut instinct.

I won't drone on here, but performances destined for a routine collapse were a focus of elimination by Mets management. (Remember Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoenweis?).

The Metropolitans definitely overpaid on this one. Today's loss was expected. Good, let's move on, but keep in mind, I don't want to see Mr. Perez twiddling his tie and say, "hmmm hmmm hmm....pardon me, Mr. Omar, I seem to have made a faux pas."

Good Fever Going

Short note...Mets are doing well in a mini rally after being down 4-2 against the Reds. Manuel seems like he is "together" and working on some solid baseball strategy.

Today Sheffield says he's not ready yet to play outfield...let's see, $400k / 365 days = $1095.89 earned today for doing nothing - just think of that being 10 cokes, 10 pretzels and 10 hot dogs.

ShefSpeculations

Day off. No game. No facts, just pondering.

A good friend of mine via Facebook is a die hard Mets fan too. We were weighing in on the Sheffield influence (good / bad) and came to the conclusion that there was no downside risk. If he messes up - BOOM. Gone. We also wondered if his temper flared up, what would happen to the watercoolers. (Footnote - Paul O'Neill of the Yanks is the world's foremost champ on destroying them.

My Mets Amigo had this to say if Sheff pursued that route:

"if he busts watercoolers, contract is torn up and they are only 400k in the red (about 45 pretzels)" and the rest of the guys get together in the brand spanking new cushy clubhouse and laugh (while watching their personal replays on their personal flat screen tee vees) and chirp, "yo, did you see what that crazy mo'f'n' Shef did?"

Gotta love it. I rather Sheff crushes a few dingers when they are needed.

FINALLY! FINALLY! FINALLY!!!

I have been awaiting this day since the last pitch of the World Series last year. Baseball is back! And, it is going to be better than ever for the Mets this year.

Today's game was a plus and a feather in the cap (next to the interlocked NY logo). Santana pitched good. A few too many walks, but everyone is rusty coming from the warm clime and then going to Cincy where rain pounded the city.

A few blunders in the Reds outfield made for a few laughs...but, don't sell these guys short. They have a good team with several solid positon players.

The bright spot of the day? In these eyes, was Daniel Murphy's HR. Look for more of them!

Back tomorrow...no Mets game, but I will be watching others.

Hey Ollie - WTF???

Ollie - (and his fans)...

Please remember you are a "throw in" in the Xavier Nady trade... That performance today was beyond horrendous. I'm scared if this is what we are in for this year.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spmbar0512622672apr04,0,1249809.story

Ahhhhhh, I can't write anymore.

Keep in Mind...It's CitiField - NOT shefFIELD

Where do we start? Today was the first time the Mets walked onto a new field. For those keeping score, they walked on the Polo Grounds for the first time in'62, Shea in '64 and CitiField in '09.

So it was nice to see a "win" over the Red Sox as Manuel did a tune up before Monday's opening day. I was offered two tickets to the game, but unfortunately was unable to make it out there due to a few previous unbreakable commitments. (All I know is productivity for half of Metropolitan New York will be at a diminished rate from 1:10 p.m. on April 6 until the last pitch is tossed -- I plan to partake!).

News today also hinges on the signing of Gary Sheffield. Now, we all know he's a problem boy - and that's why Detroit let him go eating $14 million (stimulus $$$$ -?) of that contract and one HR shy of 500. Is this the makings of a dented can sale?

Omar was on WFAN today and basically summed it up, there is little downside risk. He's being signed at the Major League minimum (boy, we'd all like to have that!). So if he produces, we bought low and (can we? sell high. If he flops, cut bait.

Story in the Star Ledger: http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2009/04/sheffield_can_help_this_team_n.html

Now, my 2 cents...not a fan of Sheffield, but I do believe he can help the team as a pinch hitter and as a late inning defensive replacement. Would I go out and buy a Sheffield jersey? Nah. Do I think he will be around next year? Nah. Is he going to be part of the franchise? Nah. But, we need live bats and Yah - he's got one. Not for average. Not for clutch - just power. We are still trying to decide whether CitiField is a pitcher's or a hitter's park...I am hoping offensively, a hitter's and defensively, a pitcher's.

That's all for now...back soon!

ExquisiteDynamicColossalEyeCatchingComfort--WOWWWW!!!!

OK, in this life of mine, I have not had the chance to ever partake in a country club, but all of that seemed to change today.

You see, I visited the Mets new home, CitiField. It was odd attending a college baseball game, especially since my alma mater wasn't playing, but rather two rivals. The steep price of $5 per ticket couldn't keep me away.



As much as I LOVED Shea Stadium, this place is amazing.
It has elevated the National Pasttime from "going to a ballgame" to an "Experience"

More to come. Not a bad seat in the house.

(Incidentally, the picture above is the first pitch ever thrown at Shea. Brian Kemp of St. John's was the batter. Ironically, St. Johns was the visting team)

Pride in America - Pride in WRIGHT

This is a good story...

Nice to see a lot of Patriotism co-mingled with Baseball. And, Felix is a Wright fan.

Thanks David, for your heroics last night. Bottom of the 9th - BOOM...after the ball took its second bounce, (which, for those with a stopwatch wasn't in milliseconds, but eons, I knew the runner from second would score.

LETS win the WBC...After all, baseball is an American Game.

Red, white and blue, through and through

By Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports 8 hours, 14 minutes ago

Related Video

Team USA rallies

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The flag traveled around the world and through the deserts of Afghanistan and Iraq. Sgt. Felix Perez brought it from home as a reminder and an amulet. The flag never left his Army backpack.

It accompanied Perez to Dolphin Stadium on Tuesday night. He needed some luck for his team, the United States, in its must-win World Baseball Classic game against Puerto Rico. Perez wore a Team USA hat and a Team USA hoodie, and his little sister, Jessica, draped his flag across her shoulders. The United States’ 6-5 come-from-behind victory in the ninth inning sent them into a frenzy. She danced around. He sat in his motorized wheelchair and roared.

On the way out, the 27-year-old Perez placed the flag in his lap and leaned over to a security guard manning Gate G. He was hoping some players from Team USA might sign it. The security guard led Perez and his sister to the U.S. clubhouse, and the flag went inside.

“The next thing I know,” Perez said, “I’m getting called to come back in there.”

And so began the coolest 30 minutes of Felix Perez’s life. On an evening when he felt especially proud to be an American – when a group of his sporting heroes wearing his country’s name across their chests banded together to win a game they had no business winning – Perez found himself surrounded by them, doused with celebratory Miller Lites, with the American flag that was with him during the worst moment of his life passed around the room and signed by every player on the team.

“Everybody,” Perez said.

Then they handed him a ball filled with signatures.

“Everybody,” Perez said.

The half-hour went too fast. Jimmy Rollins, who scored the winning run, wanted to chat more. David Wright, who drove it in, couldn’t hear enough about how the New York Mets are Perez’s favorite team. Almost half the team surrounded Perez for a photograph, the flag draped around his torso, a smile on every face, and none brighter than his.

“I’m just happy to see him happy,” Jessica said.

It’s been four years since Perez returned from the Middle East, where he spent four years. He enlisted after his 17th birthday and was in Afghanistan by the time he turned 20. He doesn’t like to talk about his injury. Some wounds don’t heal.

Perez played ball growing up in North Bergen, N.J., and still loves watching the sport. He attended Team USA’s first WBC game here, an 11-1 mercy-rule loss to Puerto Rico. When the Americans beat the Netherlands to stay alive, Perez woke up at 9 the next morning, called the box office and bought three tickets.

The stadium, practically empty at first pitch, filled to 13,224 by game’s end. It deserved more eyes. Puerto Rico scored in the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie and tacked on an insurance run in the ninth for a two-run lead. The Americans, about to get bumped from the second straight WBC before the semifinals, needed something divine. Shane Victorino singled to right field. Brian Roberts singled to center. And then Roberts, who had joined Team USA just two days earlier to replace the injured Dustin Pedroia, stole second base – even though coaches laid down the hold sign. Roberts hadn’t quite learned the signs yet.

A walk to Rollins, and another to Kevin Youkilis, and the U.S. had cut the deficit to one run. Wright laced a 2-1 pitch from Fernando Cabrera down the right-field line, and out charged all of Team USA, from the bench and the bullpen, in a bull rush to home plate, then to greet Wright. His teammates kept pushing Wright, joyous and unbridled shoves, until he fell down and they buried his face in the dirt.

“I never thought that we’d be dog piling in March,” Wright said.

No one did. The malaise that clouded the previous games involving Team USA seemed infectious. For every Felix Perez, there were dozens, sometimes hundreds, of fans rooting for the opposing team. Every WBC game thus far, even the ones in Florida, felt like it was on the road.

Not even that dampened the Americans’ enthusiasm. They play Venezuela on Wednesday to determine seeding in Los Angeles, where they’ll face either Korea or the winner of Wednesday’s Japan-Cuba knockout game – and perhaps with a few more supporters who can appreciate what Team USA accomplished Tuesday.

“That was the greatest game I’ve ever been a part of,” catcher Brian McCann said. “Ever.”

Same went for Perez. He said he would rather Team USA win the WBC than the Mets win a World Series.

“We’re the U.S.,” Perez said. “This is our game. … This is the world. You’re representing your country. What is more honorable than representing your country?”

Team USA’s manager, Davey Johnson, grew up an Army brat, his father a prisoner-of-war in World War II.

“There is nothing more honorable,” he said.

Wright was raised near Naval Station Norfolk, one of the largest military bases in the country.

“When you see those guys and get a chance to see how much it means to them, that makes it extra special,” he said. “They take a lot of pride in that red, white and blue, and to have USA across your chest and have supporters like that – that’s what this tournament means.”

Outside the clubhouse, Perez started moving toward the stadium exit. His dad, Felix, had called. He was wondering where Perez and Jessica had gone. They were headed back to the car, Jessica said. They had a pretty amazing souvenir.

A minute later, Rollins walked by and spotted Perez.

“All right, baby,” he said. “Keep a smile on your face.”

“Hey,” Perez said, “as long as you keep swinging the bat, I’ll be happy.”

Perez lifted his right arm as high as he could to wave goodbye. He wasn’t sure he’d see these guys again. He said he might fly to Los Angeles for the finals. He doesn’t know.

Perez moved his hands onto the flag. It’s a struggle, but he wanted to touch his prize. He plans on hanging it next to his other American flag, the one his friends in the 82nd Airborne sent to him when he was injured.

The old flag’s traveling days are over. Sgt. Felix Perez brought it to his home Tuesday night as a reminder and an amulet. The flag never will leave his heart.

Jeff Passan is a national baseball writer for Yahoo! Sports. Send Jeff a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

Pedro Martinez - and, an EXCITING World Baseball Classic Game - Netherlands Upsets the Dominican Republic

I have seen many great baseball games, baseball moments and events - in person and on TV. Tonight, I witnessed one of the biggest upsets ever in International baseball - The under appreciated Netherlands doggedly beat the rock solid Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Not once - TWICE. But tonight it really counted.

As you know, this is a Mets blog, so the point here is that I saw Pedro Martinez pitch in relief, and to these eyes (YES, my contact lenses were in) he looked good. Got two innings under the belt and seemed to have his control in order.

Prior to watching him pitch tonight, I was resigned to letting him go his own way. But, with the news of the Mets releasing Duaner Sanchez (TAXI!!!!!!), I think the Metropolitans should offer Pedro a contract to come back as a middle reliever to pitch the 6th and 7th innings, hand the ball to Putz and then to K-Rod.

Pedro can be the Phoenix rising from the ashes. I would rather see him get a chance this year and do well, than to do well for another team - regardless of the league.

OK..each day gets closer to opening day. I can't wait.

And for you box score junkies (self included) here is the one from the Netherlands upset victory:
http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2009_03_10_domint_nedint_1

Gettin Ready for City Field...

Good Article today in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/05/sports/baseball/05stadium.html?_r=1&ref=sports

I was fortunate to get a ticket to the St. Johns -Georgetown game at the end of the month. It will be exciting to be at the first game at the new park, regardless who plays.

Shea was a great place. All the bashing and shortcomings people make of it, well, that's their loss.

Sure, I once sat in the last row of the loge in left field and couldn't see an outfielder (or two). Did I care? NO! I was at a baseball game.

The excitement is back. I'm worried about Santana's elbow a bit, but, let's face it, I rather he be safe and someone else pitch than to rush it for pomp and circumstance.

Before you read Belson and Sandomir's article, repeat this soothing mantra (NO, It is not "ommmmmmm" it's LET'S GO METS!

March 5, 2009
The Mets’ New Home: Call It the Anti-Shea
By KEN BELSON and RICHARD SANDOMIR

For those fans who hated Shea Stadium, fear not: Citi Field is nothing like its predecessor, the last bits of which lie in ruins a few hundreds yards away.

The Mets’ new park, which will open its doors for a Georgetown-St. John’s game March 29, is far more intimate than Shea and corrects some of the old stadium’s worst faults.

Citi Field will hold about 42,000 fans, 15,000 fewer than Shea. The park is enclosed and many seats wrap around the outfield, so it feels much cozier than Shea’s open-ended bowl, which favored watching football.

During an extensive tour of Citi Field on Tuesday, Jeff Wilpon, the team’s chief operating officer, spoke in the Acela Club, a restaurant in left field that will have 550 seats, table service, a bar and wine cabinets for frequent patrons.

“There’s all this light and air, and then you’re looking back at the field,” Wilpon said. “We want to make people feel they’re in a living room.”

The seats throughout the stadium are angled toward the center of the infield, reducing the need for fans, particularly on the field level, to crane their necks toward home plate.

Sitting in their seats, few fans will see the chop shops in Willets Point, the cars roaring past on the Van Wyck Expressway, the subway yards to the south or the U-Haul sign. They will still get a crystal-clear view of the planes on their final approach to La Guardia Airport. Some things never change.

Citi Field has many nooks and crannies that are nothing like Shea’s tired symmetry. The grandstand that hangs over right field, for instance, was inspired by the old Tiger Stadium, which Wilpon visited with his grandparents as a child. Fans in center field will get a bull’s-eye view of the bullpens, with Aaron Heilman only in the visitors’ half, which is on a slightly raised level, with some protection from fan saliva.

The 16-foot wall that rings much of the outfield means an Endy Chávez-like catch is unlikely, though.

Going for food or a bathroom break will be a lot easier. The concourses are far wider, bathrooms are more numerous and beer drinkers will not have to wander far for a microbrew. Gabila’s knishes will return thanks to convection ovens. (The old knishes were fried, which helps explain the heartburn they generated.)

The chance of a plumbing malfunction has also been reduced: the Mets have installed waterless urinals, an eco-friendly touch.

The walk from the subway station to Citi Field’s front entrance will take about as long as it took to reach Gate E at Shea, but an acre of planters, trees and other landscaping will usher fans to the new park’s brick exterior and ornate rotunda named for Jackie Robinson. Bricks embedded in the capacious plaza include inscriptions from fans who paid $195 to $345 for the privilege. Several applications were rejected because the language was deemed insulting of New York’s other baseball team.

Citi Field’s exterior is a splendid architectural response to the dullness of Shea, while the inner bowl is muted. Shea’s candy-colored plastic seats are gone (along with generations of chipped paint on the handrails) in favor of dark green seats everywhere.

“Dark green is the color of a classic ballpark,” said Dave Howard, the team’s executive vice president for business operations, as he stood ankle deep in snow. “And we thought the other team in town would use blue.”

Citi Field, with 28 different seating categories, also feels more fragmented than Shea, which had sections of box and reserved seats that stretched from one foul pole to the other. The collection of far smaller blocks of luxury suites, party rooms, restaurants and exclusive box seats spells exclusivity or exclusion, depending on your point of view.

Everything has a new name, as well. There’s the Ebbets Club, the Delta Sky360 Club and the Caesars Club. Seaver, Hodges and Stengel have their names on three of the five party suites. The name game is not done, either.

“In this economy, you don’t turn down sponsors,” Wilpon said. “Anyone who’s willing to pay. ...”
The suites, apparently, will not be just for baseball. Howard said that the club had already booked bar mitzvahs in the Caesars Club. A 150-seat auditorium could host corporate events.
While all the major construction is finished, many little touches remain. The kitchens are filled with refrigerators and even French fry baskets, but much of the equipment is unplugged, out of position and covered with layers of dust.

The much-improved sound system and scoreboards were getting a workout. A version of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now” played loud and clear. The LED scoreboards that line the facades were ready for June. One read: “David Wright .320 AVG 15 HR 66 RBI.”
Wilpon said the team had not decided who would throw out the first pitch on opening day April 13. But he said it would be great if President Obama did it on Jackie Robinson Day two nights later.

With the sun setting, dozens of employees were waiting in the parking lot next to the park before their orientation sessions. Gary Brown, who worked at a concession stand for two years at Shea, said he and his friend Faruk Stokes were looking forward to their new workplace.

“Any type of progress is a good thing,” said Brown, who lives in Corona, Queens. “It’s a beautiful facility. I just hope the team is more successful here.”

Shea Stadium - Finally Climbing the Golden Staircase

I remember reading many years ago a story about an emperor or king in ancient Rome who built a statue that would last forever, but the only thing that survived was the base and the tribute to this king was faded. No one remembered him or heard of him.

The same can be said about Shea Stadium which finally (SADLY) has been taken down. All the brick and mortar (and hot dogs and beer and players and fans and seats and memories) is gone and the aforementioned is now on the tongues of the multitude of fans who had the privilege to view America's signature past time in a heralded venue.

(Click the link in the title for the Associated Press story).

In case you can't tell, I was a big fan of Shea. Saw my first game there (a rainout against the Pittsburgh Pirates). My neighbor, Mr. Geis, took my dad and I and his son along. He promised to make up the game. Never happened. He moved a few years later.

Instead, I probably went to Shea about 100 times...

When the Mets had a day game, and I had vacation time, you could be sure that I would take in a matinee once or twice a year. The only paper I would have in my hand was a score card while my fellow colleagues at the office were laboring over reports and other relevant documents. (Oh, don't think I am taking a snooty approach, I paid for it the next day with a workload in triplicate).

Many other memories in high school - hopping in the car at the spur of the moment, pooling $ together for gas, tolls and parking and within 45 minutes of deciding to go, our asses were in seats rooting loud for the blue and orange.

Today is the finality of Shea. While I wasn't there to see the last structure collapse, I do look forward to a solid season for 09 and beyond.

I wish I remembered King WhatsHisName's name from Rome. I would have loved to tell him about the splendor of Shea Stadium and the many battles the Mets won (and lost) on the green diamond. However, his statue is no longer around and probably was carted away with additional rubble.

Shea Stadium is dead. Long Live Shea! Long Live the Mets.

Landslide Answer in this Debate....

Newsday brings up a solid debate....Oliver Perez or Ben Sheets -- well, I like Ollie, but I don't love him. He's like the stock market these days...erratic. It's like buying Crackerjacks and not knowing whether or not you will get a prize.

What us peeps have to realize is he was a "throw in" in the Xavier Nady for Roberto Hernandez trade. I'm not knocking throw-ins. Ryne Sandberg was one.

See the debate below...I would rather have Sheets...I think there's more upside potential...More Ks. The Brewers were not the best team, yet he still seems to perform well.

Ben...sign here on the dotted line...Ollie, make your millions, but there can only be one winner in this beauty contest.

And now...The Newsday Debate forum...

DEBATE: Should Mets sign Ben Sheets or Oliver Perez?
NOTE: Baumbach's portion is reprinted (reposted?) from yesterday:

JIM: Sheets is a better option than inconsistent Ollie

Ben Sheets won't win any durability awards, I realize that. But when he's pitching, he's one of the best in the NL.

The Mets, in my opinion, are better off giving him a two-year, $28-million deal with a $15 million option that vests if he pitches 360 innings in the first two seasons.

I just don't buy the notion Perez is suddenly turning the corner, for good, and will be a consistent starter with pitching coach Dan Warthen back. Take a look at Perez's stats here. Everyone raves about the last two seasons, but he posted a 1.31 WHIP in 2007 and 1.40 in 2008. No thanks.
Especially not at the rate Scott Boras will negotiate.

ANTHONY: Why all the Oliver Perez bashing?
Yes, he drives the Mets crazy. He may never be a 15-game winner for the next 10 years. But he's young and lefthanded -- which is a big point when you are in a division with the lefty-leaning Phillies -- and has shown he can pitch well in big games. He always takes the ball; sometimes he's great and sometimes he stinks. But he's always out there.

Ben Sheets? Very talented. Effective when healthy. But when the Brewers were trying to wrap up a playoff berth last season, he couldn't pitch. You don't need to spend $30 million on a guy like that.

I agree with Jim that Perez isn't going to turn the corner. He'll probably always be what he is. But what he is isn't all that bad.

The larger issue -- and one we may explore later on -- is that if they sign Perez, with the exception of K-Rod and Putz, the Mets are bringing back the same team as last season.
Is that going to be enough?