JOSE JOSE JOSE!

You know if he was actually out he would have been tossed from the game. Chip Hale looks like if he weren't holding Jose back that he'd be hitting the ump with his helmet about the head and shoulders. This is the kind of emotional breakout that the team needs. Reyes was furious because all he wants to do is win. So lets get the sweep of the Nats done today and on to victory 392 against the Phillies on Friday night.

Oh with last nights win the Mets are out of last place in the NL east.

Fact vs Perception

FACT - In 20 games this season, Josh Thole is batting just .227 with a .268 OBP, three doubles and seven RBI.

PERCEPTION - Doesn’t it seem like he is doing much much better than that? Seemingly he’s always on second base. People are scoring around him. I don’t understand how his numbers are so low. 

musings on a off day

Its 8pm and there is no Mets game on the radio, that is why I hate these days off early in the baseball season. It couldn't come at a worse time for the Mets, after a four game winning streak, and five consecutive games with quality starts for Mets starters.

Here are some quick thoughts.

Jason Bay has really solidified the lineup since his return, even with Angel AAAA Pagan out.

Anyone miss Brad Emaus? Me neither.

Dillon Gee has looked really impressive through two starts. But then again Terry Leach was 10-1 at one point. It would be nice to have a rotation with a bunch of home grown arms, Pelfrey. Niese, Gee, and Mejia. That is a lot of arms if you add Young/Capuano/Santana to the mix. There are lots of worse problems to have.

I really have the itch to go out to Citifield ... Gotta see if I can find $1 tickets on Stub Hub. I saw $15 tickets right behind the plate for one of the games versus Houston.

The new ad campaign

Who's laughing now?

This is what Mets Blog should look this morning.

I have to believe that somewhere Jerry Manuel is stroking his goatee and laughing at the last place Mets. "Right, HA HA HA, It was my fault the Mets were in last place, HA HA HA." I'll be the first to say it, Sorry Jerry it wasn't your fault. 

Guess what I am so obsessed with Metsblog.com, almost as obsessed as I was with how much I disliked everything I saw of Brad Emaus. 

I can't wait till Jason Bay comes back ... he's going to fix everything right?

One caller to Mike Francesa gave the perfect rational to trade David Wright rather than Jose Reyes (not that he was advocating trading either) this guys, Doug from LaCrosse Wisconsin (not his name)  said that if the Mets trade, or let go, Jose Reyes they will spend the next decade or two trying to fill the whole he left. Think about the other elite shortstops in the league, no one does the things that Reyes does. Think about the elite third basemen, there are other guys who do pretty much the same thing as David Wright. I don't want either to go in the impending fire sale ... but if I had to chose the right (pun intended) choice to stay is Reyes.

Finally!

The Mets have promoted 2B Justin Turner from Triple-A Buffalo, and designated 2BBrad Emaus for assignment.


Ok who am I going to mock here now? My gut tells me Angel Pagan.

FROM METSBLOG.COM - Sandy is not going to give Reyes $100M

In either case, “Sandy is not going to pay $100 million for a guy who might break down,” a rival team official told Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

Guess what everyone might break down.  I think sometimes these Moneyball guys need to take stop looking at their laptops or iPads for a few minutes and take a look at the game. Listen to the crowd.  Scan around the stadium, try and find a Brad Emaus jersey on anyone not named Brad Emaus. I think the immortal Jeff “Frenchie” Francour had it right when he said “If OBP was so important they would show it on the scoreboard”.


Secondly, I love Metsblog.com, its always so well written and the photo treatment is really slick. 

Brad Emaus, better start doing something that looks like a major league baseball player soon or i'm going to have to rename this blog "Tales From the Naked Citi(Field) ... Brad Emaus Sucks"

It could be worse

A few months back I like many other Mets fans day-dreamed about new ownership for the Mets. I'm still pulling for you Mr. Cuban.

But an interesting name came up Donald Trump. He has money; he has New York roots, why not. I'll tell you why not he's nuts.

I heard Boomer and Carton talking about him on the radio this morning; apparently he was saying that LaGuardia airport is like a third world airport. This guy has two speeds talk and sleep.

Picture this scenario Trump buys the Mets; they lose a game Terry Collins is called up to his office. Trump is behind a table, that old dude George is on one side of him a very uncomfortable Sandy Alderson is on the other. "Terry, Your fired".

The next night on the Tonight Show he announces that he is going to pick the next Mets manager on the next installment of the apprentice.

After burning through a few interim managers, he starts trying to change the players. "Alderson sign Willie Mays to play center field this Pagan guy is a joke!"

"With all due respect Mr. Trump. Willie Mays is nearly eighty years old," Alderson replies.  Trump stares.

Sensing his new boss was joking Alderson joked back "perhaps if we had a time machine."

Trump nods his head. "That's why I keep you around. Get the time machine warmed up. Ok you can leave, tell Jay Horowitz to come in he has to write up an announcement about our new centerfielder."

It would be like 1980s era George Steinbrenner.

Honestly as horrible as it would be for him to own the Mets it would be way worse if he were President of the United States, so if you have to choose one, ahhh choose the Mets. We Mets fans suffer enough already.

i dont care about the Knicks, or Rangers

Its true sports talk radio is so infuriating to me when its all Knicks and Rangers. Why can't I hear a radio station that is all Mets talk all year round. I don't care if the host has to uncover the warts of the team. I'm ok with that. Honestly I may give up facebook for the remainder of the Knicks and Rangers playoff runs.

I like Josh Thole hitting second behind Jose Reyes. He'll see more fast balls surrounded by David Wright and Reyes, as opposed to the junk he sees down in the lineup with Brad Emaus and the pitchers spot, and he is a good contact hitter who will take pitches for Reyes to run on.

Reyes has scored at least one run in every Mets win this season.

Yesterdays win was huge. It snapped the longest losing streak the Mets have had in seven years. I find it hard to believe that they hadn't lost seven in a row since the Art Howe era.

Lazy Sunday

Why is everyone giving David Wright a pass. He's been brutal as of late.

Is it me or does Howie Rose seem to always segue Carlos Beltran at bats into commercials. "Carlos Beltran wears number fifteen and I'm fifteen minutes you can save fifteen percent with Geico." You are better than that Howie.

So when Jason Bay comes back is he going to play Left Field and pitch middle relief?

Is there anything more American than listening to a ball game on your car radio, while your toddler daughter sleeps in the back seat in the parking lot of a Walmart? Perhaps a nice slice of melon.

I bought some big league chew, originally it was for one of my buddies son's easter basket. I think we'll find him something else. I love big league chew. God bless you Jim Bouton and Rob Nelson. Kind of ironic that big league chew was invented by independent or minor league players.

Ike Davis is safe a secure at second base like you and your family is safe a secure with some life insurance company.

That is right I'm not going to mention two double header sweeps in a row.

oh the humanity ... oh the humanity

Ok that sucked big time. I can't break it down, but here is a little stream of consciousness.

• At least it was a really nice day to be at the ball park.
• Tickets could be had for $4 on stubub
• Its good that Brad Emaus is having such a great year at the bat ... because he is a butcher out in the field. He has no instincts out there. Wait, what? Mr. Moneyball hasn't been hitting.
• Perhaps the whole team should wear different uniforms so Willie Harris thinks he is playing against he Mets and doesn't let two easy pop-ups drop infornt of him.
• There is a reason why Willie Harris, and whichever Harriston brother we have are bench players ... they aren't good enough to play every day. (I'll admit as I was reading this in my head, I sounded like Mike Francesca yelling at some dude on the phone).
• And not to beat a dead horse, this sweep by the Rockies is exactly why Jose Reyes won't be a Met by Jose Reyes banner day in August. He is tearing it up ... OBP my ass ... but the team is losing. Just trade him now, its not right that he has to suffer any longer. I'm sure we will all love Rueben Tejada or Luis Herandez hitting near the Mendoza line and making nice loopy throws over to first base.
• Some guys I was watching the game with at work, were talking about flipping Reyes for a major league ready arm.  No we are getting a bunch of young "can't miss prospects". You know like Alex Ochoa, Fernando Martinez, Lastings Milledge, Eric Cammack or Scott Kazmir. Trust me no one is sending a yet to be descovered Tim Lincecum our way. But I'm sure the Angels would send us Scott Kazmir.

Wine is fine.
But whiskey's quicker
Suicide is slow with liquor
Take a bottle drain your sorrows

- Ozzy Osbourne

Rainout ... at least the bullpen couldn't blow the lead again

I was running errands after work tonight and it felt really lonely in the car without a Mets game on. Yes I had Steve Sommers, music and some podcasts, but it wasn't like listening to the ball game. The other thing that sucks is now the Mets will have to play a double header on Thursday, kind of wish I could take the day off work and sit at the ball park for 6-7 hours. But alas grids about making books, don't just make themselves.

"What we need is a rain out
 I can get us a rain out
Man, there ain't been a cloud in weeks
Hundred bucks says I can get us a rainout for tomorrow
You're on"
 - BULL DURHAM

Bull Durham is such a great. But I think baseball lends it self to being a good backdrop for a movie. Its slow pace and grace, let people get a word in edgewise.  OK off the top of my head ... here are my favorite baseball movies of all time ...

• Bull Durham
• Eight Men Out
• Field of Dreams
• A League of Their Own (my favorite baseball movie)
• Bingo Long's Traveling All-Stars & Motor  King
• Fever Pitch

No way Jose

I hit .340 all all I got was this non-Mets T-shirt

Dear Jose Reyes,


How they screwed up a game where you hit two triples is unbelievable to me, I guess you can ask Johan what it feels like to be stellar and get nothing in return for you efforts.. Did everyone forget, the more you score the more the Mets win? Seriously you were standing on third base twice ... the crowd was going ape cakes and you only scored once. Nice clutch hitting behind you! That is right I am pointing to you Angel Pagan and you blistering .179 batting average. A whole four RBIs when Reyes is in the midst of a 9-game hitting streak. Guess what he scores from every base on just about any base hit. I’m just saying.  


Does a walk put asses in the seats? No, but triples and inside the park home runs do.

There a lot of people who just love the laundry, but I get connected to the name on the back of the jersey as well, it will be crushing if you have to go. So hopefully someone will come a save the Mets soon enough so you can stay with us for the rest of your career. Because we are long past the time when we can run out a un-exciting slap hitter as our shortstop.

Your pal,

Niel

Generation K ... Is here ... Only 15 years late

   

 With the departure of Lucas Duda and red-headed Abraham Lincoln Blaine Boyer, brings back the return of the last man standing from Generation K Jason Isringhausen. 

It's Outta Here!! (x2) - Mets 8 - Nationals 4

I was doing some work on my new apartment and listening to the game on the radio and its awesome that you can tell when a Met homers because you can't take the smile off of Howie Rose's voice. Anyone understand what I mean by that? You also can't get me not clap. 

I was pretty sick of the announce team harping on Reyes not driving any runs in this season. That is not really his job, his job is mainly to get on base and score runs. RBIs are a bonus for him. but I was glad he ran his hitting streak to 7-games. And like in every other Mets win, Jose Reyes got a hit and scored at least one run.  But this team would be better with a bunch of guys like Brad Emaus.  Yes Mr. Alderson, Bard's .304 OBP is so vastly superior to Jose Reyes' .303. But your computer doesn't calculate heart and excitement. It doesn't apparently compute Reyes 100 point bating average advantage. Money Ball my butt. PAY HIM!

Speaking of talented players that will not be on team next year, shouldn't the Mets just trade Carlos Beltan now? Is he going to have a better game than two homers, three RBI and raising his batting average fifty points? They are panicking in Boston right now ... someone get Theo on the line.

The Mets could really use a victory in Sunday's game. Get themselves over .500 again. But if you go by the formula, win every seres at home and go .500 on the road you have a team wins 94 games. Its not impossible. Last year's team was thirteen games over .500 at home but sixteen under on the road. had they managed to play .500 on the road, they were a playoff team. That is moneyball right there.

Well that sucked- Marlins 6-Mets 2

One of my buddies went to the game today and I saw him afterwards and the only thing I could say to him is "well that sucked". At least I got to enjoy the suck-a-tude in my warm home and car.

Is it just me or are the Mets finding it really had to come up with taht one big hit. It seemed like they are constently getting guys into scoring position with none or one man out and they can't drive them in.

Despite not striking out in Friday's game David Wright has 8 strike outs this season and is on a pace for over 190 times in 2011. He will shatter Darryl Strawberry's franchise record for career strike outs.

My 8 month old son threw up on the Mets t-shirt I was wearing. And then a few hours later my two month old nephew thew up on the same spot of a Mets sweat shirt I was wearing. Either terrific grouping from the boys ... or very ominous foreshadowing.

Opening Day Redux

It’s Opening Day again and I am psyched. I’m not gonna be able to get out to CitiField today, but I am supporting the team by wearing my new Mets Keep Calm and Carry On t-shirt I got in the mail this week from 27up27down. The shirt is even nicer than it looks on the website, I can’t wait until their Phillies styled Mets shirt is available.

My only complaint is that these shirts didn’t arrive in the early 90s when they could have read ...

 Keep 

Calm

and 

Carreon

The Letdown: Phillies 10 Mets 7

I'll admit I was taking yesterday's game as a gimme. But the Phillies bats had a little to say about it. They jumped out to a 7-0 lead on Mike Pelfrey and really never looked back. But there were positives.

The Mets bats are alive, with anothe 12-hit game and a five run inning.

Jose Reyes got at least one hit and scored a run in each of the last four games.

David Wright, Angel Pagan, Ike Davis, Brad Emaus and Josh Thole are all hitting over .300, Reyes is right on their heels at .280.

But the downside is they have Doc Holladay this afternoon.

Yes, its way to premature to say this. But if the season ended today the Mets would win the National League East title. Even though they have the same record as the Phillies, they have a better head-to-head record, after tonight's decisive 7-1 victory at Citizen's Bank Park.

The game was a big win as the Mets are looking to build on the momentum of their series win in Miami. After looking lethargic against the Marlins in the season opener the met bats have been awakened, particularly David Wright who is batting .413 on the young season. But tonight was a night to celebrate Chris Young, he pitched great and had two hits in one inning. That is crazy. I don;t expect him to rake like he did in Philly but he can have a good year for the Mets is he stays healthy and remains consistent on the mound.

The series was set up favorably for the Mets. facing Hamels in game one, he came in with a 2-8 record against the Mets, then we have our ace Mike Pelfrey taking on their number 5 guy Joe Blanton in game two, and yes get a way day doesn't look to good as the Mets and Jon Niese have to take on Doc Holladay. But he was pretty roughed up on Opening Day, so he can be hit.

Wait Reyes got a hit and scored a run? And the Mets won?  Do I see a trend continuing?

Mike Piazza is past the 2000 World Series ... I am pretty sure I haven't

Mike Piazza and Roger Clemens make nice

I am sorry Mike Piazza is way too nice. I would still hold a grudge till this day. I practically do. Actually Piazza did get a slight bit of revenge when he caught Clemens in the the All-Star game in Houston and he got lit up. Was Mike tipping pitches?

But perhaps Mike is just biding his time and when Clemens least expects it all of a sudden he gets the business end of a 7-iron. I'm just saying.

Oral and Orel ... all in one post ... and a pledge

I decided that this season (other than during the subway series) that I will be civil to the Yankees(who have the same 2-1 record as the "lowly" Mets) and their fans, here and on facebook.




Ok after that. But I will sling my hatred (and jealousy) towards the Phillies and their fans.

How good are Orel Hershiser and Bobby V in the ESPN Sunday Night Basbeall booth. Its nice that they can pronounce Carlos Beltran’s name properly. And Dan Shulman is solid despite being Canadian.

2011 - day 3 - Mets 9 - Marlins 2

Howie Rose said something on today's broadcasrt that rings true. In his career when Jose Reyes scores a run the Mets have a .681 winning percentage. This season when Jose Reyes scores a run the Mets have a 1.000 winning percentage. Remember that piece of history Mr. Alderson.

Opening Day take 2 - Mets 6 - Marlins 4 (10)

So a game on April fools day doesn't count right? Regardless the Mets are finally off the shneid (as the kids say).

This was a rollercoaster game, early on I'm calling for Luis Castillo to come back, since Brad Emaus is such a butcher in the field. But I digress. And thenthe Mets take a lead in the ninth. Its gonna happen. And then K-Rod blows the lead.

But the guys who are suppossed to get hits and score runs did as Reyes-Pagan-Wright went back to back to back with hits to start the tenth. And after taking on a few more (thanks Willie Harris), the man with the Conan O'Brien meets Abraham Lincoln beard Boyer picks up the save.

Now its up to RA Dickey to win us this series tomorrow. And K-Rod didn't finish the game so the option countdown hasn't moved at all.

Game 1 Recap - Marlins 6 - Mets 2

 When you build something up in your head it never lives up to your expectations well Happy Opening Day to me. What a cluster F that was. Not to overreact but I know I said maybe Sports Illustrated was correct with their prediction for the Mets - I went a step further and wondered how they would ever win a game.


But there were some positives. 

• Carlos Beltran drove in a run and scored when he doubled in the seventh and didn't pull up lame
• The Mets were not shut out or no-hit
• Mike Pelfrey pitched well when he didn't allow any base runners, not so much when guys were on
• Boyer has a cool beard
• Reyes was really trying to work the count against Johnson
• There are still 161 games left for the Mets to right the ship