Last Day in Aug. Nice W

I can't believe it is the END of August. So much baseball, so little time.

I am happy the way the Mets capped off the month with a W against the Fish. The play of the game, to me, was the final where Jose Reyes stuck his glove out and caught the line drive. Hustle is key.

Tomorrow will bring a whole new dynamic to the game. The September call ups. It reminds me a lot of the gym during January. Some will stick around and be good (fit), others will drop out of sight and never be seen again (binge eaters, drinkers, etc).

Saw a graphic on Sunday's game and it looked all Latino. It's going to be a blast if Jose, Al and Argenis Reyes gets into a game. This is the ultimate call: "Ball pitched by Reyes (1); it's hit up the middle and Reyes (2) gets it and tosses it to the bag for the out, caught by Reyes (3).
1) Al
2) Jose
3) Argenis.

Ah...September. We are just a step away from October, so let's make it.

Another Heilman Appearance, Another Loss....OR, HeiLLLLLLLLman

It never ceases to amaze me how much the Mets, both under the regime of Willie and Jerry continue to use Aaron Heilman. Here is another example of why some folks don't understand a hot stove will burn you.

Duaner Sanchez gives up a tying run. UGH. Hey, did anyone get the license plate of that Taxi? I want that guy to come back and do it again...(and also take out Heilman). Not their lives, just their chances for playing on the Mets.

So, Heilman comes in,,,2 Intentional BBs and then WALKS in the winning run. All on horseshit pitches.

Is it ME? Or is he THAT bad? At least with Anthony Young, there was a bit of comic relief involved. The entire team sucked.

Belt Belt Belt Beltran

Carlos was the hero tonight and it was good to see him do it with his 8th career granny. (Uh, if you are a visitor for the first time to this blog, the previous sentence is not something that is happening in West Virginia where they do that stuff...I'm talking baseball).

In the post game interview, he had a candid admission that he wasn't trying to blast a home run. He also said with regret that two years ago he was in a situation where he didn't swing or protect the plate.

If he has games like he did tonight, we will be seeing more Ws.

Speaking of Ws. Two up on the Cheesesteaks. (Kudos to Steve Somers for that attribution).

Day Off...

Lame attempt at Poetry...

Day Off For The Mets
And Me Too
I'll Continue To Bleed
Orange and Blue

Let's pick this up tomorrow.

I will end with a rhetorical question..."Where have you gone Rusty Staub?

Gaining Ground...One Grain of Sand at a Time

Earlier in my salad days as a blogger (OK, since 2006) I may have referred to the Mets taking on a Sisyphus-like journey to the top.

Yesterday was horrendous. 13 innings and then Schoenweis gives up the ghost. (He and Heilman seem to corner the market on that).

Tonight, a decisive win. The Flip of the John Kerry Flop showed up. We like when the Mets win, but to slither down the drain like last night after being a commander on the field was, well, you fill in the blank _________________

Interesting stat popped up on SNY and it showed a dramatic drop off of average for the starters in the later innings. Are we TOO focused on middle relief to notice? Hope not. Baseball may be a diamond, but you need 360 degrees of visibility.

Let's Beat The Phillies

Im Zonked. But its the bottom of the 8th and Mets relievers are on. Pedro couldn't go much.

Mets middle relief is on.

The team blew a 7-0 lead.

When the rollercoaster ride is over, I am going to unbuckle and go to Bed.

Wake me if the Mets win.

2 Solid CGs For Pelfrey

Another Nice W you've Gotten yourself into...

If Oliver Hardy was still around, he would have said that to Pelfrey tonight. He's starting to emerge as an (GULP) "Ace." This was the first time since circa 1995 that a Mets pitcher went 2 complete games and got 2 wins in a row. This was a common occurrence up until the late 60s/early 70s when pitchers were more durable. Pelfrey, as my colleague at work said today, can "eat up the innings.

Delgado was on fire and his RBI total of 6 did NOT match the translation of his last name. (I will save you all from consulting Spanish dictionaries -- it means 'skinny.')

Maine is out and that is another hole that needs to be filled. Sept 1 is a few days away, but with a series against the rival Phillies, the art of being careful and playing strategic is a must.

Let's Go Mets! (See ya at the ballpark)

Thanks Aaron Heilman -- FOR BLOWING IT!

Whenever Aaron Heilman comes into a game..WATCH OUT! Today, against the Astros, the Mets were up and he pitches to two batters and allows the game to be tied. Is that consistent? With him, yes. Is it tolerable? No. Seems like Guillermo Mota - AGAIN.

Heilman was booed so loudly today, it was to the extent where he felt like crawling under a rock. And, as a die hard Mets fan, I wish he would. Aaron, please Hibernate from Opening Day to the Last game of the World Series. Just find something to do -- in the off season.

Resilliancy

It is the 8th inning and the Stros are ahead 8-3, but the Mets haven't folded. I see a bit of a rally and this is something that needs to carry us forward if we want to go ape in post season.

Phils won today, so let's kick it.

Sorry for the short posts of late...work, Olympics, etc...

Im going to the game tomorrow...Hope to have some fun stuff.

Shut Outs. Come From Behind Wins. First Place. Am I Dreaming?

Another quality win tonight and this can be attributed to good ball.

Baseball is an IRONIC game. Opposing pitcher Roy Oswalt retires something like 15 straight batters and still loses. Johan was brilliant again and is showing the investment is solid. No Runs-AGAIN.

Box Score

Berkman was shut down and the 'Stros, who have been playing solid ball of late, were quiet.

Good to see Ryan Church back. Isn't it interesting that 3 Mets were on the field that were recently Nationals? Ayala, Church and Schneider.

Wright's Double in the 9th

Turned the game on late, 4-4 and its the 9th. The way wright smacked the ball to the outfield is the kind of momentum we need - especially on a day like today.

As a track and field aficionado as well, I felt burned the US teams in the 4 x100 relay dropped the Baton. Mets, please pick it up.

Addendum - It is always nice to knock the ball around on Mike Hampton!

Start Printing #34 Jerseys

Pelfrey has pitched well and I think after today's performance, you will be seeing kids and adults donning #34 shirts.

Let's face it. He's part of the future. He has confidence and shut down the Braves - EASILY.

I am ordering mine -- if you have a "L" on hand, I'll make it fit me.

Is It 1986 -- or 2006 again? A Come From Behind Win!

Sorry for the short posts. Been caught in the Olympic fever (110 degrees at least!).

Fear not, I am still watching the games.

Much needed come from behind win. This is the same drive and fight we had in 06.

Keep it up. Need to hold the lead in the standings.

Over and Out.

Today's Loss - A Come From Behind Win for the Bucs is Like.....

Getting a balloon as a child at the zoo and then letting go of it and wondering why you don't have it anymore. Losing an easy gift.

Metsies - How many times do I have to tell you that you can't afford to be sloppy.

Live by this Motto: Bring you "A" game even against the "Z" teams."

Typo - it is now Johan SAINTana

Brilliant performance today by J0-San. These are the kind of games you long for - 9 complete innings. 113 pitches with 85 of them strikes and no free passes. Did I mention anything about Shut-out? (His fifth career).

Box Score

Yes. I realize it was the Pirates, but this is the type of performance that should be coming regularly.

Long day today, so I will be brief. I was glad to be part of Johan's first complete game a few weeks ago against the Cardinals.

Back tomorrow.

Pelfrey - A Star (well, As conveyed by Text Messaging!)

First...glad the Mets held on to a shaky lead against the Pirates tonight. It was the start of a mini-melt, but something we were able to hold off. Thanks Jerry Manuel for being logical.

Now, on Saturday morning around 8 am, I got a text message from MAC who is an occasional contributor --but not that often this year -- AHEM, MAC, love your columns when you step in for me.

So, it turns out he is in Kentucky on biz and I am guessing its an hour behind us. Anyway, for someone to THINK about my blog THAT early on a Saturday, how could I shy away from his comment.

Turns out as you may know, last year and a little bit of this year, I said that Pelfrey sucks and the Mets should get rid of him. This leopard has changed his spots. Not only do I think he is a core member of the pitching staff, I actually believe, just by watching his motion and composure, he is a legit superstar for years to come. As cited earlier in a post (hey, I'm too lazy to find it now -- its close to midnight -- that when he ditched the mouth guard, Pelfrey was a pitcher).

What I feel foolish about was I didn't stick with him in my fantasy league after his last start. That will sure change.

So, MAC, while its late for me, I hope you are up awaiting this post and feel that I rectified my old position. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, but MAC got me to change my opinion faster than a politician visiting two diverse audiences an hour apart.

Pelfrey for Prez!

Another Day, Another Win

The title of the blog is something I wish was said more often, but that is something we need to keep up going forward.

The main thing is the Mets are in first by a game and a half as I write this. (Phils are tied, 0-0 in the 6th.

It's been a roller coaster, but if the boys in blue can beat these tomato can teams over the next few, the confidence and momentum will carry against the red hot 'Stros.

Back tomorrow.

W over W

Win over Washington. Make it 3 - Uh...A Sweep.

This is the kind of ball we need to play.

Something perplexed me. Heilman, 9th inning, 2 out, 3-2 - what happens? Aw come on, its easy. You don't have to be Kreskin to guess. Yup. Batter gets on.

Omar, fish or cut bait. We don't want another ineffective pitcher.

Right On Target!

12-0. What does this mean? How many eggs? How many broken? It could very well be.

Sarcasm aside, the Mets did what they SHOULD have been doing to many of the weak teams they faced. Trouncing 'em in the hallways, taking the entire opposing team's lunch money and then splurging the found booty on a white elephant item.

The right guys were putting up the numbers and hopefully this will continue.

Oh, and I tried to listen, but couldn't hear Paul LoDuca repeat his comment after he left the Mets and went to the Nationals. It was akin to "I can't wait to face the Mets! We'll see them 14 times in '08!" Pssssst. Someone just tapped me on the shoulder and whispered that Paul LoDuca was cut a few weeks ago. OH WELL!

Now, we have to do some more decisive winning against the DC and PITT teams in the coming days. If Philly waivers, first is a grain of salt away.

Casey Stengel Was Right

"Can't anybody here play this game?"

Bases loaded, then the ONLY run comes when Damion Easley is plunked on the coconut allowing David Wright to score.

Am I remiss in the fundamentals of hitting?

Well, the score is 4-3 Mets as I am about to finalize this sentence...