New York Mets 2012

[syam24]

Another series, another sweep, this is beyond disappointing, it's just downright embarrassing!! The pitching has been very good, and they can't score more than 3 runs at home. Get this; The Nationals have won 6 games at Citi Field since the All Star break, the Mets----4, F-O-U-R!!!!! in two months of baseball! Absolutely disgusting, they really need to clean house on the offensive side of things, Bay GONE, Torres GONE, Needs--3 outfielders who can hit above .250 and hit more than 10 home runs, a catcher who can hit more than one HR, and these should be mostly righthanded, have enuff guys who bat lefthanded (notice I didn't say hit).

 

[sonny10305]

Yes Syam you said what needed to be said and I will put together a little something after the season about “cleaning house” and what I think we need to do in 2013.

Thanks Saucy for those sweet words, that Cyclone experience was amazing I will ride on that high for a while as I look forward to next tear. Just to spell it all out we finished season of 76 games with a record of 45-31 and 14 games above .500. It was twelfth season in a row we accomplished that which makes us one of four professional teams that have done that in the history of the game.
You mentioned Brandon Nimmo I should mention that he led all outfielders with a .994 fielding percentage and had two grand slams this season, he also led with team with the most RBIs.
We had five pitchers in the top 15 in the NYPL in ERA with some awesome performances by Luis Mateo, Hansel Robles, Gabriel Ynoa, Luis Cessa, and Rainy Lara all of whom had an ERA below 3.00. In fact my boy Hansel Robles finished the season with an incredible and league best of 1.11 ERA, and a scoreless streak of 22 innings. So yeah, expect to see Robles and Nimmo in Flushing before very long.

It ain’t the CY Young yet but R.A. Dickey has won the 2012 Branch Rickey Award, The Branch Rickey Award honors players like RA who contribute unselfishly to their communities and play a big role as a role models for young people. It is called something like “Service Above Self.” And man oh man is that ever RA. One of the factors in deciding the winner of the award is number of games won and Dickey is second as of now BUT, if you think about it the Mets loose so many games and yet RA has 18 wins and that should account for something, ya know what I’m sayin? In addition to being just second in the league in wins he is leading the league in ERA, complete games, shutouts and strikeouts.
Give him the feakin award!

 

[Sausy]

Not a great weekend, either we scored som runs but got lousy pitching or decent pitching but no hitting after winning the first game in Milwaukee. Well Ryan Braun showed he is still a brilliant ballplayer despite the enhanced chemicals debacle that ended up getting him off the hook on technicalities regarding handling of his samples.Two home runs now have him at 40 leading the NL....24 steals too, hitting .310 with 103 RBI. Production certainly hasn't suffered due to loss of powerful home run sluging ex-teammate Prince Fielder to the Detroit Tigers last offseason. Plays the game hard and hopefully he really is the real deal, not juice enhanced because he seems like such a good kid.

Kinda unsure about David Wright....he was brilliant in the first half but like in 2010 when he began big he really slumped in August and September. not like his best days from 2005-2008 when he was outstanding in the stretch run even when his club collapsed twice in 07 and 08. Striking out a lot after being so disciplined in the first half, now up to 105 K's. However he still leads the club with 40 doubles, gets in the middle of rallies when they do score and defensivelyy has been outstanding, often noted by the Mets broadcasters . Maybe subconsciously his future status is affecting him but while Ike Davis has kept up the power David is stuck at 17 and a solid but hardly amazing 81 RBI. Just hope the Wilpons and Alderson do the WRIGHT thng and extend David this winter for five or six years. He DOES want the commitment to build a winner fairly quickly and I hope the Mets convey to him that spending flexibility will increase by 2014 or else we may see David in a Phillies uniform next year. How WRONG would that be?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So tonight Chris Young was aii'ght but hardly dominant giving up the two homers to Ryan Braun and losing 3-0. But when the Mets make out with only two harmless singles and flail away with the strikeouts we know we ain't going to be doing any scoring. The only real good news I heard was that sonny will be so happy( and doubtless knows) that Brooklyn and the Mets have extended their affiliation for the next four years. Our furure stars may still be shining on the boardwalk for the foreseaable future and I'm glad. Would like to know if the Mets though definitely after not coming to terms with Buffalo definitely will end up for the next two years at least at Las Vegas for their AAA affiliation.

Mets coming home for their last homestand of the season after falling to 66-80, ten games starting with the resurgent Phillies. Just so sad to see after an amazing first half how far the Mets have come crashing to Earth. Finally, couldn't agree more with sonny about RA Dickey, who goes today for a second chance at 19 wins. Glad he got that community service award and certainly deserves a Cy Young though it is likely his chances have been hurt by the Mets fall.However he's just been so durable and impressive you gotta really think about him for the award.

 

[Sausy]

Mets can't get off the run scoring drought....they'll tease with a few runs then head right back into the tank as they've showed the past couple of days. Obviously facing Cliff Lee is a tough thing but they had RA Dickey out tonight who gave up two long balls yet still pitched well enough,three runs in seven innings. Mets though could only score 1 and it wasn't nearly enough on Dickey's second try for 19 wins. The Mets are now a season low 15 games under .500 at 66-81. Tonight Matt Harvey, whose impressive showing so far gives hope for the future of the rotation along with Jon Niese's strong performances, goes in his last start of the season as the Mets are limiting his innings to about 170 for the year. David Wright got a hit tonight leaving him 6 shy of Eddie Kranepoo's Mets record for total hits, hopefully he can tie and break it in this last homestand. Just so disappointing though how the Mets,who earlier this season thrived on two out hits just can't organize rallies and look so futile for long stretches offensively.

 

[sonny10305]

Nice stuff from Saucy as always, one of the points he made is Dwight and what is going on with him. Why has he been so inconsistent this year, he has been in some many slumps and is headin for another now as we wind down. He has spent so much of the season making adjustments taking too much advice and now he seems to be doing it again, how else do you explain what is happing now with his late swings (again) we are seeing too much take back with all that extra motion he sure does not need he has once again gotten away from that line drive swing and is back upper cutting again I can’t ask David to explain what he is thinking as I can with guys like Ike and Murph I just don’t know him well enough, I have met and spoken with him a few times but that’s about it. I did see him and get to spend a small amount of time at Ike’s charity last week but I am hardly in a position to say “What’s going on with the swing? The bigger question is will h be back next year, David as well as a few of the other players have a team option for next year so will the Mets consider a trade? Well I guess that depends on how far Alderson wants to go with retooling the team assuming of course that the Mets have little faith in the prospects, something I would say loud and clear that we should. Here is the thing to remember, Wright is unlikely to play on a 16 million dollar option.
One player I do talk with a lot about the game and his future is Murphy, and while I am not willing to write to much of what I know safe to say Murph has been one of the more consistent players for us this year he has worked his butt of learning second base and I think he has come a long way since March and is in my opinion now a first class major league second baseman, he has showed impressive skills in turning the double play completing 26 so far this season. He has also learning how to protect himself on the bag. Then of course his talent at the plate cannot be ignored he is hitting just about .400 this month and is currently hovering around .295 for the year in his goal and desire to finish at or above .300. He just passed his 150 hit mark last week. Murph too will be eligible for arbitration next year he is signed thru 2012 and will be free agent eligible in 2016. So what will the Mets do?.......what will they keep him or trade him. The same applies to Ike Davis will the Mets keep him or move Duda to first, hey…it could happen. The outfield is the big concern we need to say goodbye to Bay and eat that money just as we finally did with Castillo and Perez. I have had enough of Torres as well it’s time for him to pack it in as well, lemme tell ya unless the Mets spend some cash to get a major league outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis is the man for that job next year. By the way will someone please tell Torres that he is not a switch hitter, that poor fool thinks that just because he can swing the bat form the left side he should play that way, but I got news for him he can’t hit a lick from the left so why do it, I mean just bat righty against the leftie pitcher how much worse can it be than when he tries to bat left handed against them.
I have a whole lot more I want to say about next ear but I will save that for after the season ends.

As Saucy mentioned the Mets have agreed on a two-year affiliate deal with the Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League. We knew that was coming after the Blue Jays, the 51s' previous parent organization, signed on with the Buffalo Bison’s, leaving the Mets with no choice but to move their Triple-A affiliation out of Buffalo. It was no secret that the Mets were more interested in developing players in Buffalo than then about winning games and that sorta did them in as far as Buffalo was concerned, so screw em, off to Vegas we go,. One of the downsides of course is the Mets, who could more easily shuffle players to and from upstate New York than they can with prospects in Las Vegas. And of course it is a big win for Mets minor leaguers, who I’m thinkin would prefer the Vegas strip to boring ole Buffalo. Also there are a lot of friendships already in place in Vegas with many of the front office personnel with the Mets, Sandy Alderson J.P. Ricciardi, Paul DePodesta, and Dick Scott are all very familiar with Las Vegas from the time they spent here with other organizations. I was sorry to hear that Mark Brewer, who was our pitching coach and a good friend has been cut loose a big political mess caused that maybe I will write more later, a damm shame really’

As saucy also mentioned I am over the moon excited that The Mets and the Brooklyn Cyclones today jointly announced that they have renewed their Player Development Contract for four more years. The renewal will keep the Cyclones as the Mets’ affiliate through at least the 2016 season.
The Brooklyn Cyclones have been a Mets affiliate since it all began in 2001 which is when I first stated following the team and I have made a lot of friends who have come up thru that organization and up to Flushing, guys like Ike Davis, Lucas Duda, Daniel Murphy, and many more. Tomorrow The World Baseball Classic qualifying rounds begin in Florida and Germany and Thursday and there are several former Cyclones who will represent their countries in the tournament. Josh Satin and Jeff Kaplan, from the 2008 Cyclones, will represent in Florida at the Spring Training Complex of the Cardinals and Marlins. They will take on France, South Africa and Spain in pool play.

 

[Sausy]

The Mets may have not lost yesterday because of the rainout but did not like what I saw in the Post regarding Ike Davis...whatever his struggles against lefthanders,his power is big time and though I know Ike has a better impression on other clubs over Lucas Duda you don't trade thsat kind of power. Lucas is still unproven, and Ike if anything even with his horrible first half scares opposing managers with his power.I know you gotta give to get, but I don't think because the club doesn't trust Duda in the outfield you trade a Gold Glove first baseman with a developing big time power upside for someone who is not very confident at times in his abilities, as nice a young man as Lucas is.

Thanks sonny for the updates, I'll add a couple of comments on my next post.

 

[sonny10305]

It has been made clear that NO player is safe from trade, not Ike, not Wight, NO ONE other than a few prospect pitchers and of course Harvey .The Mets have disappointed again and changes will be needed for 2013.
For me I see a need to get rid of a few guys like Bay, Torres and maybe Francisco. The outfield is uncertain I see a possibility of getting a major league right handed bat for center or right. If not Nieuwenhuis could play out there next year. The infield could remain as is with Davis, Murphy, Tejada and Wright I see no need for change there. Although I like the way Kelly has been working with our pitchers he has not shown much at the plate and is getting a little long in the tooth so maybe we need to go out and get a catcher, trouble is from what I can see there may not be any out there to get, at least I can’t think of anyone. I know having spoken to him about it that Thole is going to work in the off season on his game he is determined to get himself back on track and plans to work very hard this winter mostly in Arizona. Our starting pitching will be fine with guys like Harvey and Dickey in the lineup as long as we get Santana back strong, the pen needs a shakeup as well and as I said I would like to see if we can replace Francisco as our closer.

Collins needs to stay as well no question about that.

As to the trade talk about Davis and that BS from a “baseball source”, we I don’t yet know who that was but little attention is being paid in the front office about that, what Ike does in his off time which is no one’s business as long as he reports to work on time and it does not affect his game, and he has and it hasn’t So whoever is trying to create drama in the dugout better cut the crap and come out and blow me.
As far back as spring training we heard that Ike could be traded but in spite of his health problems his value has gone up since then both offensively and defensively. We can’t just throw that away and if they did they better get something of equal or better value cause trading him would be a mistake. As to Duda taking that position the Mets would be nutz to do that just to give him a position, let him spend the off season doin what Murph did last year and learn a new position. Duda’s natural position is first base but he is young and talented and surely can learn another position.
If you think someone in the Mets organization stared that trade rumor about Ike let me say how stupid it would have been for them to do that, I mean do they want to put him on the market as a “party boy who won’t take direction from his coaches”? Yeah, that will get them loads of offers
Ike is irritated by all this talk and it would be good for the Mets sit with him and make nice

 

[Sausy]

Yeah sonny the whole way the Ike thing has come out has just been a real head scratcher for me, and I'm furious that someone would go behind his back like that. Party guy? He may unwind after a game but I've never heard him be attributed to wild drunken bouts of undisciplined excess...he said he always comes in prepared for his work, he doesn't have to be there early in the morning so many night games most of the time they are at the park in the early or middle afternoon and he's never late or absent. We're not talking Lastings Milledge here,sheesh even with a supposedly uncoachable attitude. UNCOACHABLE?Whoever in the organization with an axe to grind on Ike deserves to get slapped upside the head silly because Ike is one of the most level headed,thoughtful, professional guys around and seems a coache's dream, NOT nightmare. Terry Collins just completely dismissed the seriousness of that allegation testifying to Ike's dedication and professionalism. WTF we got Tony Bernazard back in the organization in disguise trying to get back at the Mets for firing him,lol??????! Duda may become a solid player but Ike's Gold Glove caliber at first base and since June Ike has been the big time slugging threat the Mets desperately need.... yes,he would definitely get you back more but sure as hell by the badmouthing campaign you dilute his value, not play it up and get better value coming back for him. Lucas Duda should stay in the outfield and the Mets should keep both next year, evaluate both honestly and fairly and hopefully keep them both. If not,one should go for better value and with their market value at the highest possible level...if you're going to diss someone you just give another team the impression you won't hold out for top value to trade him and that undermines the best interests of the team to get better talent. I'm hoping though that Ike is a long time Met... just don't get too many guys with his high personal character,talent and mental toughness. Ike was able to play through the deepest depths of his horrible first couple of months and get himself back on track and his power is tremendous, a must for a club that doesn't have too many 30 home run threats....even David Wright may only be a twenty something home run hitter nowadays though his batting average,walks and doubles make him the key guy to build with(cough...cough...sign him!!!!)

Look what happened last night....Ike was plying with all the crap around him and still looked good at the pkate with a couple of hits. Ike loves playing here,loves his teammates and it behooves Sandy Alderson or Jeff Wilpon to make nice as sonny talks about.

Speaking of last night, how awesome is Matt Harvey?!!!!!!!! He hated having to have his innings limited but was determined to go out on a strong note. Boy,he did....giving up a leadoff home run to Jimmy Rollins to open the game and shutting the Phillies down completely after that. One hit in seven innings of work.....with enough gas at the end to finish guys off with 97,98mph heaters! The great thing about Matt is with all his talent, his determination to excel and dedication to getting better plus his way beyond his years maturity and professionalism give him that edge of a winner personality that true aces only have.... he knows he has to refine some of his offspeed stuff,become more efficient and stay in the game longer as steps he needs to take to get to being the kind of ace he sure appears to becoming. We can just hope Zack Wheeler sometime next year will display the same great qualities that would lead to an awesome trio of Harvey, Wheeler and Niese leading the Mets rotation for at least the next decade.

Last night was disappointing that Edgin couldn't hold it in the ninth after dominating the first two hitters facing him. He walked Chase Utley though Edgin just didn't seem to be getting the call on a couple of close pitches. Then just served up a meatball on his second pitch to the hobbled but still lethal Ryan Howard and a great story for Harvey and the Mets became a whole lot more complicated with the Phillies taking a 3-2 lead. The Mets started to rally but Daniel Murphy's oppoosite field shot,looked like a sure run scoring,game tying double but caught by a diving,sprawling Domonic Brown in left. Then David Wright sharply grounded to second, and the Mets lost another tough game....fucking sick of not seeing our boys getting any breaks in the second half.

 

[Sausy]

Back a little early as tonight's makeup game of Tuesday night's rainout isn't even over yet but very,very disappointed with Jeremy Hefner's pitching lately as the Phillies opened up with an eight run first inning.Hefrner register 0 outs and six hits,six runs allowed. Colin McHugh was only a bit better giving up two more runs before settlingin for three innings,three hits and two runs allowed. Hefner's second bad start this month....earlier he gave up eight runs,five earned and an early exit.Don't know if he and McHugh are basically long guys who can spot start but both need their control to be spot on to be effective. Obviously for the rotation in the future we are loooking at Jon Niese, Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, with Mike Fulmer in the rear view mirror and some really intriguing arms in the lower minors including the Cyclones as sonny would fully be knowledgeable about. It's frustrating to see us not respond to that 8 run first by not chipping back into the game....now we're looking at 66-83 and we're doing horribly in our own house. That is NOT acceptable and next season we have to change things dramatically. We've scored 3 runs or less at home in 16 straight home games....this kind of nonsense has GOT to end because until we get our act together offensively and have some breakout games like earlier in the season it won't matter how good our future pitching starting rotation is. Being a Mets fan requires having strong antacids nearby for the agita.

 

[Sausy]

Speaking of agita, thank you Josh Edgin for providing yet another thrill ride(for Phillies fans, at least)putting the finishing touches on a seven run ninth by giving up a grand slam to yes, you guessed it...Ryan Howard! Tonight is supposed to be his last game before he too is shut down but I tell you, despite some flashes Josh is still a work in progress. Phillies up 16-1 top of the ninth....Mets record at home since the All Star Game is 4-24, just an appalling comedown for Mets fans after such a promising start to the season. This is not new, however....past two years have seen similar surprising bursts resulting in collapses after the All Star break.

 

[Ninja108]

IMO,the biggest mistake the Mets made this year was letting Santana throw as many pitches as he did for the no-hitter. It's a nice record and all but in the end it wore him out and knocked him out for the year.
Ask Jeter about getting 3,000 hits or Mariano breaking the saves record last year and they will tell you it won't matter as much because they weren't holding the trophy. Winning personal goals shouldn't matter as much as winning the trophy.
The Mets have their no-hitter..but it came at a cost. And that cost was a shot at the postseason and a World Series win.

 

[syam24]

The Santana no hitter didn't cost the Mets a shot at the post season. The fact they cannot score more than one or two runs a game is what cost them the season, the pitching has been reasonable if not good most of the time. The bullpen has had its issues, but the lack of offense in the second half cost the Mets most games. Was really disappointed in last nite's efforts, especially following Wednesday's loss on Howard's two run homer off Edgin in the ninth costing Matt Harvey a win in a spectacular performance by him.

 

[Sausy]

The Santana no hitter didn't cost the Mets a shot at the post season. The fact they cannot score more than one or two runs a game is what cost them the season, the pitching has been reasonable if not good most of the time. The bullpen has had its issues, but the lack of offense in the second half cost the Mets most games. Was really disappointed in last nite's efforts, especially following Wednesday's loss on Howard's two run homer off Edgin in the ninth costing Matt Harvey a win in a spectacular performance by him.

Gotta agree with syam, though I understand where ninja is coming from antana did have a few good games before he rolled his ankle against the Cubs,and never got himself right after that.... his back actually sealed the decision to shut him down, his arm was fine though he probably would have hit a wall no hitter or not coming back from such serious shoulder surgery.

It was more the lack of run scoring that doomed the Mets,with a few bullpen failures thrown in and some key defensive lapses... it is true though that the no hitter will be kind of a bittersweet memory for Mets fans in that so much was going right early on and the second half was just such a mess the impact of the no hitter isn't nearly as powerful ,great as it was, as the rest of the season led us to yet another failed effort. Our home season record being 4-24 after the All Star break is historically bad...... no reason why we should be so futile at our own house. We have to find a way to score more runs consistently.

 

[Ninja108]

Gotta agree with syam, though I understand where ninja is coming from antana did have a few good games before he rolled his ankle against the Cubs,and never got himself right after that.... his back actually sealed the decision to shut him down, his arm was fine though he probably would have hit a wall no hitter or not coming back from such serious shoulder surgery.

It was more the lack of run scoring that doomed the Mets,with a few bullpen failures thrown in and some key defensive lapses... it is true though that the no hitter will be kind of a bittersweet memory for Mets fans in that so much was going right early on and the second half was just such a mess the impact of the no hitter isn't nearly as powerful ,great as it was, as the rest of the season led us to yet another failed effort. Our home season record being 4-24 after the All Star break is historically bad...... no reason why we should be so futile at our own house. We have to find a way to score more runs consistently.

Your points are valid as well. Obviously don't follow the Mets but I knew from the Yankee series how awful their bullpen was. Bad bullpen puts more pressure on the starters and the offense to do more. It's the issue we're facing in the past couple of weeks as well.

 

[Sausy]

Ninja, the bullpen had some really bad streaks to be sure....the lack of hitting was the other pimary cause of the Mets terrible second half.At least the Yankees pulled it out today,but Nova has really not looked good lately and on't know if he's hurt.

Mets win two straight against the horrible Marlins....hey,Jose,jumped out of one mess to land in another one! Good
job by Niese yesterday,not at his best but had enough allowing three runs on seven hits in six plus innings. Ike continued his slugfest with a two run homer to give him 28 and 83 RBI and Scott Hairston hit another and is definitely worth re-upping for a reasonable one or two year deal hitting another along with a two run shot by Jason Bay in today's game. This made a winner out of RA Dickey,his 19th in which he pitched very well, allowing two runs on six hits in eight innings. Got into trouble in the ninth so Jon Rauch came in and unfortunately gave up a three run homer hitting the left field foul pole to John Buck. However,Jon finished up and preserved the victory 4-3.
RA looks to get his 20th at home against the Pirates Thursday and has the most wins of any Mets pitcher in 20 years....I'm also going to plug "Knuckleball" which has been reviewed very positively and is a fun,entertaining and informative celebration of RA Dickey and the other members of the close knit knuckleballers community in MLB and the pitch that some deride as a trick pitch but others have made an art form. RA now looms as the best artist the pitch has ever produced and the film really captures the whole persona of the knuckleballer and that flabbergasting and so difficult to control pitch.

 

[Sausy]

Went to the game Sunday,only one I've gone to this year and was happy to see Jose Reyes and Co.(aka Miami Marlins)get swept when Ruben Tejada laced a single to left center for a thrilling 3-2 victory. Also saw David Wright hit his 19th early in the game and what a beautiful fall day....comfortable temps(though a bit of wind up where I sat in the section 508 promenade area).Getting close to breaking Ed Kranepool's Met hit record of 1,418....maybe David can break it when RA goes for his 20th Thursday.Miami is so lame, they deserve to be swept....I mean,walking people twice to get to Ruben,who we know is slumping some but c'mon...the immortal Fred Lewis is walked to get to Ruben? David Wright according to Ruben gave a lot of encouragement and support getting ready to hit in that last situation especially and was so glad to see Ruben get back at the Marlins with that hit. Chris Young was solid, giving up two runs(the second unearned due to a throwing error) in six innings....relief held the fort wonderfully til the Mets broke through to win the game.

Jennry Mejia pitched last night and showed promise, though he does have to be more economical with his pitches.Went five innings in a 6-1 Mets victory but threw 96 pitches...allowed four hits and had four strikeouts and showed very good velocity, just has to control his pitches better and go longer but he has the talent even after his surgery. It was Ike Davis night though at CitiField as he crushed two homers,one a sky high fly over left center, the other a mammoth drive over center field...they were showing replays a couple of times and his swing was perfect, a nice stride but not off balance....eyes focused on the ball, beautiful follow though.Ike now has 30 homers,88 RBI and fuck the talk of his value being high for a trade, you have a guy capable of 30-40 homers you fucking better keep him!!!!!!!! Terry Collins after the game was praising Ike's professionalism and demeanor ,never getting down but working hard to get back to the hitter everyone knows he can be and most pointedly mentioned Ike swearing that he'll NEVER have a first two months like he did this year. Fortunate thing was the Mets were playing so well they could afford to be patient and not send Ike down to Buffalo. When asked about gettting to 100 RBI Ike smiled and said that it would take a lot, He was just sorry the season was ending but he just wants to help the team. Please they have to keep Ike.....of all the Mets problems in the second half, he was proving himself to be one of the Mets home grown solutions for future years.

David Wright also had an RBI single to move him within three of breaking Ed Kranepool's career Met hit record....one more thing, Daniel Murphy's been kinda streaky wth his hitting but his defense at second has been getting great! Our boy is more routinely making dazzling plays and turning off balance double plays with precision...so much Ike knows the throws are going to be much easier than they were early in his transition. Obviously the Mets have to look for whatever they can to get better but at second Murph provides basically all they need and as much as I'm thrilled with his vast improvement there I know sonny must be so proud of him!

 

[syam24]

Mets on a nice streak for a change. Nice to see Ike banging the ball, I agree, he needs to be here in the future. I don't know much about the Mets batting coach, but, the way the team has hit the second half, I wonder if he'll be back next season. Just a thought. Let's go Mets!!

 

[Sausy]

Definitely great to see such a nice CitiField finish to the season....sweeping the Marlins and these past two victories which saw David Wright becoming the Met's all time hit leader and RA Dickey's 20 th win, first time a Met has reached 20 since Frank Viola in 1990.With the first ever Mets no hitter by Johann Santana on June 1 and RA'S back to back one hitters these have been the game highlights of the season that will still burn bright in Mets fans memories for a long time, despite the second half collapse. Ike's power surge since his awful first couple of months(with yesterday's game now has 31)...Daniel Murphy's overall play including vastly improved defense at second, Miguel Tejada's steadiness and maturity beyonfd his years, Jon Niese's development ,Matt Harvey's immense promise from his first ten Mets games....there are good signs but we just need to get better at home, improve our bullpen and offensive consistency and we can be among those teams to loook out for without a lengthy building program. And next year we can add sometime Zack Wheeler, Jeurys Familia,And Jennry Mejia to the mix, and get back a healthy Dillon Gee. Jeremy Hefner after Wenesday night showed how good he can mbe as well when he has his pitches rolling. We have depth potential and we damn well better re-sign David Wright and RA Dickey. We don't have so far to go....just waiting for sonny's take on what we need going forward and the wonderful accomplishments by David Wright and RA Dickey in particular.

 

[sonny10305]

I'm back

 

[sonny10305]

So I have been super busy these last few says have not posted much and I wanna thank Saucy for his outstanding updates and thoughts as well as the always reliable Syam for his input as well. Thanks guys

That Duda hit yesterday was just what the doctor ordered for that kid he has been trying so hard, so very very hard, but has not been able to find his swing but yesterday he turned a fastball mistake by Hudson into a shot he won’t soon forget.
Thanks to all those major league pitchers for continuing to pitch fastballs to Duda, Ike and Murph
Lucas was struggling so bad then went to Buffalo where he made a lot of progress, I had gone to see him there and he said he felt really good about how his progress was going but darn it all if he did not revert back to his troubles when he came back to Flushing. He has gotten very comfortable in the outfield so if nothing else the trip to buffalo was good for him and now perhaps yesterday will give him some confidence to finish the last few games with success at the plate as well. It was an important at bat for Alderson and Collins to see as well cause it was almost as impressive as the homer was. Ya gotta know that homer made my week I am such a fan of Lucas I know what he is capable of and soon you guys will as well. Just give him time. That inning was helped enormously by Murphy’s double and his base running when after Jason Heyward robbed DWright of a hit and Murph tagged to third.
Then of course there was that outstanding outing by Jon Niese making his career-high 13th win.
With all of the guys pitching so well we have a pretty good idea of who our starting pitchers will be in 2013

I have to mention the outstanding tribute to Chipper, thanks to my friends at SNY I was able to see most of it on a stream before the game and it was heartwarming. Bobby Cox said some wonderful things about Chipper and the fans ate it all up. Then when the team was about to take the field they all held back so that Chipper was the only one running out there, it was a priceless sight to see, such love and affection from his teammates. An end to a magnificent career, love him or hate him he was one heck of a ball player. But speaking of the fans, was it me or where they more obnoxious than usual with that annoying irritating Chop Chop? Even after Lucas silenced the crowd considerably with that hit, later in the bottom of the 9th they went into a frenzy of chopping. I have said it over and over I want the day to come when a Met hits a grand slam in that park and gives those Braves fans the chop chop as he rounds the bases. Unprofessional? Sure, I guess but sweet never the less. Not on Chippers big day yesterday but someday soon and I know just the player who would be up to that as well, not mentioning any names The backlash of doing that might make it not worth doing but hey, ya gotta admit it would be fun.

Ike Davis continues to make a mark for himself with that 30th homer; he is feeling good physically right now and is in a good place in spite of those fucked up remarks about his partying and lack of cooperation with the coaches. Not coachable? What BS, while we know he won’t finish the season with great batting average numbers , but his power and RBI numbers which btw have gone from around a buck 30 in May to around .225 now speaks to how hard he has worked with the coaches.
A ton of people have come out to denounce that crap talk and that has made him feel pretty good. I myself went on a writing tear to almost every baseball man I know praising Ike and denouncing the jerk off who said those things, we still don’t know who it was, they can hide but someday we will find out and when we do….

Then of course there is the one and only RA Dickey and his 20th win I had the privilege of being at the ball park for that, my dad, uncle and I played hooky form work to catch that game I was not gonna miss that. The Citi crowd was on fire with chants of RA DICK EY that gave ne goose bumps
We had a little scare when Roach almost messed it all up in the 9th can you imagine what would have happened had he blew that for RA? I shudder at the thought. I think we have seen enough of Roach in that closing role thank you very much let’s just let Bobby carry that ball to the end of the season.
Is there still anyone out there who still believed there is even a challenge to the CY Young anymore? It’s gotta be RA