New York Mets 2012

[sonny10305]

PapelBOMBED What a game last night!
I came in here to jump up and down about it but found Syam and saucy beat me to it, nice posts guys
Since they summoned up last night’s win so beautifully all I can add is a game like that is what makes the Mets a team so much fun to watch. Oh sure they frustrate the heck out of us here and there but last night showed what a team effort is all about and maybe that pie Turner gave DWright should have been shared by 5 guys starting with Davis then down to two amazing at bats by Jordany Valdespin and Rubin (Jose who) Tejada and then on to Murphy who tied the game and set the table for Wright to bring it home, just absolutely awesome. Back to Ike and that ball he dropped I have to say I must give him a pass on that one cause clearly Duda messed that up, he should have thrown to Murphy who was waiting and expecting it and not to Ike who was not. Speaking of defense and Murphy who can deny what tremendous strides he has made in that area just terrific defense on his past lately. If you missed it here is what I mean

So that’s’ my 2 cents worth to add to the really great posts by syam and Saucy on last night’s walk off win. Seriously, what better way to have a walk off win then when the players doing the walking are guys like Tejada, Valdespin and Murphy who earned it by playing such crisp baseball.

 

[Sausy]

Great replay sonny....came home from work to see the Mets rally for the win in the ninth but didn't see the earlier spectacular gem by Murph.NOBODY will outwork him,and he has greatly improved his consistency defensivwely.Maybe never a Gold Glove there but so long as he akes the routine plays and the occasional great one,he's fine at second base.Jeff Kent was never really that much better than adequate defensively but he's considered a near Hall of Famer at second for his decade of outstanding production power and RBI wise at second.Plus Daniel is a MUCH more likeable guy than often contentious sourpuss Kent.I totally forgot to credit in my post Ike Davis who struggled all game and had been in a little slump but what a great AB he had leading off the ninth!Showing patience,going the other way on a good pitch and driving it up the left field alley for a leadoff double!I was so proud of his approach,not trying to do too much....when you just play loose like that and don't give in to the pressure of expectations and impatience usuallly like Ike showed good things happen.

Too bad about tonight's effort by Johann Santana,just gave up too much with the home runs...when he twisted his ankle on the Johnson play stepping on him(thankfully no serious injury resulted)he just wasn't the same and though he wpuld never use it as an excuse have to believe he wasn't too comfortable out there,it still must have hurt some.Though we lost 8-7 the Mets chipped into the 8-2 lead the Cubs built after the damage in the fifth inning and in the ninth fearless Jordanny Valdespin led off the inning with another amazing clutch home run.Ike soon came off the bench and ripped a two run single into right as the Mets got batters on after the Valdespin homer...then Lucas Duda who had earlier homered(hope big Luke is starting a good run now,Mets need him confident and focused especially offensively)ripped a liner right to Marmol that disappointingly ended a potentially enormous second straight comeback effort,this one from a deeper hole than l;ast night's victory over the Phillies.These guys don't quit,though and it's fun supporting this Mets club even when they don't play well...you rarely see these guys give up,and the character of the guys on the club seem like however frustrating it is to loose,they come right back and let you know they demand respect...you can't count these Mets down which is a refreshing change from the uninspired,phone it in play often we've seen until Terry Colllins (and Sandy Alderson)really started to change the culture and atmosphere here and believe in these guys.

Well,let's get the Cubs back the rest of the weekend before the All Star break.Let's go Mets!!!

 

[Ninja108]

Regardless of the uniform,it is always good to see Papelbon blow a save. Does he still take 30 seconds between pitches?

 

[Sausy]

Definitely,ninja...and we got Papelbon twice this year which is great!Though I do have to say his old "Riverdance"thing was kinda hot if a bit goofy!Anyway,great game byDillon Gee,he gave the Mets eight innings allowing only one run while getting big time support by Jordanny Valdespin hitting his fourth home run(this kid's got a nice power bat!)and Ike Davis,a two run shot to right field for his twelfth homer,and even with his horrible start has 49 RBI.One more game before the All Star break,let's go Mets!!!

 

[Sausy]

Well we go into the break on a disappointing note as Jonathon Niese had an awful day giving up nine hits and seven runs in seven innings topped off by a three run homer to Cubs shortstop Starling Castro.No comeback at all today though Daniel Murphy had three hits,there was no clutch run in our boys today losing 7-0 and more frustratingly two of three to the Cubs.Hopefully we come back from the break refreshed and disciplined and ready to play more consistent ball.It is so great to see our boys at 46-40 and right in the wild cards mix but we can't be satisfied with playing well above expectations in the first half,but I have no doubt with a terrific leader in manager Terry Collins the Mets will continue to play hard,aggressive with heart and tenacity which they showed far more often than not so far this season.Again,they know it's a 162 game season and you can't ever get too high or too low,just go out there and play the way they're capable of and they'll be in the thick of things the rest of the way.

 

[Ninja108]

Thought I should mention that Reggie " I'm an arrogant jerk" Jackson was just suspended indefinately by the Yanks for his comments about A-Rod as well as his statements about Gary Carter and others not belong in the HOF.
And to that,I say good riddance. Championships or not,Reggie Jackson is and always will be one of my least favorite players to ever wear the pinstripes.

 

[Sausy]

Thought I should mention that Reggie " I'm an arrogant jerk" Jackson was just suspended indefinately by the Yanks for his comments about A-Rod as well as his statements about Gary Carter and others not belong in the HOF.
And to that,I say good riddance. Championships or not,Reggie Jackson is and always will be one of my least favorite players to ever wear the pinstripes.

Great clutch player but Reggie didn't always play hard,and often has alienated people with arrogant,insensitive pronouncements like his latest head scratcher.Kirby Puckett too not being a Hall Of Famer?What a jerk...Gary and Kirby were great players at their positions and helped their teams to win the World Series(twice in Kirby's situation),and were leaders in their clubhouses always looked up to by everyone.Reggie is a very intelligent guy,and was a clutch player who helped win several championships for Oakland and the Yankees....but never was the kind of clubhouse presence who could lead by example and often was an island unto himself.That's one reason why my favorite Yankee clubs were the ones from 1996-2000 that won mostly through smart trades and great homegrown talent.Reggie was a great hired gun but ranks very low on the class meter.

 

[chance1]

Thought I should mention that Reggie " I'm an arrogant jerk" Jackson was just suspended indefinately by the Yanks for his comments about A-Rod as well as his statements about Gary Carter and others not belong in the HOF.
And to that,I say good riddance. Championships or not,Reggie Jackson is and always will be one of my least favorite players to ever wear the pinstripes.

as much of an egomaniac that RJ is ........ he's entitled to his opinion

I agree with him about the steroid boys but NOT about Carter - and discussing him given that he just died is pretty weak shit

but for the Yankees to silence him publicly is sorta orwell-ian

 

[chance1]

Tony LaRussa is a douche

why MLB lets a guy who isn't currently in baseball chose players, make decisions, etc. - is a mystery

RA is 12-1 with a 2.40 era and more strikeouts than Cain 9-3 2.61
crazy

and not choosing Reds due to the fight then blaming Dusty Baker for pitching his pitcher on Sunday

LaRussa is a joke and Bud Selig is carrying his water for him

Love RA - he's the man

 

[sonny10305]

Tony LaRussa is a douche
why MLB lets a guy who isn't currently in baseball chose players, make decisions, etc. - is a mystery
RA is 12-1 with a 2.40 era and more strikeouts than Cain 9-3 2.61
crazy and not choosing Reds due to the fight then blaming Dusty Baker for pitching his pitcher on Sunday

LaRussa is a joke and Bud Selig is carrying his water for him Love RA - he's the man

Well of course as a Mets fan I am outraged by Larussa who proved once again what a moron he is.
As Chance said should be just the water boy over there but he would prolly fuck that up as well. Dickey’s snub typical of the genius that is Larussa always looking to do things differently he managed to pisses off NY and Mets fans as well as disappointing all those fans who have yet to see the brilliance that is RA
A lot of people have never seen RA pitch and this was the perfect storyline to present him in. We know a lot of this is due to the fact that the game does count, although maybe it shouldn’t, or maybe numb nutz is afraid his catcher can’t catch the knuckler.
Bottom line here is that Larussa totally messed this up this game it should have been a showcase for RA Dickey the current best pitcher in baseball
As to DWright Mets fans messed up sitting on their asses while SF fans did the job and got their guy in so here was a chance for Larussa to give David the DH spot at least but NO he did not. Clearly Larussa felt that not only should the best pitcher in the game start but possibly the best 3rd baseman playing today can’t play either.

 

[NYDan815]

hey all, been forever since i've been on here but figured id come back and see how y'all are liking this very interesting season
I'm not holding any dreams for a playoff team, but between David's monster year, Johan's no-no, and the beauty of watching the knuckler dance, it's been too fun a season
Shame we couldn't have seen more of our messy mets in the all-star game, but Dickey was great and i was so elated he got to go. Looking forward to the latter half of the year. LETS GO METS!!!

 

[sonny10305]

Don’t forget RA Dickey will be on with David Letterman tonight , RA says he’s bringing a mask and Thole's giant glove in case Dave wants to catch him.

Dillon Gee was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a clot in the artery in his right shoulder. Dillon felt numbness in his fingers Sunday; Doctors discovered a blood clot and inserted a catheter into his shoulder to break it up. The concern for me is that what he has an arterial clot which can restrict the flow of blood to muscles and vital organs. I am a little concerned that he had to have a catheter inserted instead of first trying blood thinners first. So here we go on the pitching rotation merry-go-round again. As of this morning and subject to change Chris Young will start in Gee’s place this Friday against the Braves, then it would have been Miguel Batista on the July 21 start but Josh Edgin would more likely take it now that Edgin will take Gee’s his spot on the active roster. Edgin joins the team on Friday; his ERA in Buffalo was 3.89 in 35 games.

Jason Bay and Frank Francisco are due to begin rehab assignments tonight with AA St. Lucie

Tonight is the 2012 AAA all-star game form Buffalo it ill be carried live on MLB network at 7PM. You know how I am always tellin you guys what a hoot watching these guys are so Check out the best players from the Pacific Coast League and the International League.
This week we also had our AAA home run derby won by Valentino Pascucci

Kevin Burkhart returns from vacation Friday and rejoins the team in Atlanta, welcome back dude.

 

[Sausy]

So much stuff hard for me to get everything out but first of all thoughts and p[rayers go to Dillon Gee....just came on all of a sudden with his blood clot situation...it appears he will have further surgery and miss the rest of the season in the most likely outcome but the most important thing is his health first....hoping Dillon for a complete recovery and I'm sure he will be so happy getting into spring training next year healthy and ready to resume what looks like a fine career.Things like this happen,but now it's really important just for Dillon to beat this and the surgery I read can definitely help insure the clot doesn't recur.


Looking forward to Josh Edgin's regular season debut,I think he played with the Mets in spring training if I rememer correctly,was impressive?

Not happy with the whole RA thing....La Russa wanted to honor Matt Cain for a great career?Why,he's retiring like Chipper Jones at the end of the season?Sheesh...lame!!!I guess you can't after the fact say tactically having Sandoval and Cain out there to start was wrongheaded.....big NL victory and along with ex-Yankee Melky Cabrera,also having a huge year for the Giants they greatly contributed.And having Terry Collins as a coach recognizing how he has the Mets playing was a good thing La Russa did.Yet it did seem kind of petty and ticky tack,as RA did have somewhat better overall statistics(12 wins opposed to 9 by Cain,plus a better ERA)and the whole RA story is phenomenal.You just don't get better ,more inspirational stories than RA Dickey....overcoming abuse,born without a key elbow ligament almost no one can be expected to pitch without,failing as a conventional pitcher,convinced back in Texas Ranger days by then manager Buck Shopwalter to adopt the knucleball...the long refinement of that pitch,and after he was signed by the Mets organization revolutionizing the pitch with his hard version,80mph or so which he called"knuckleball on steroids".Going from a good,solid pitcher the previous two seasons to dominant phenomenon this year....and all this when he will be 38 later in the year,when most pitchers are declining.It just was anticlimactic,coming in later in the game already with a big lead....he had a scoreless inning but the impact was pretty muted.Even with DWright,it just felt disrespectful but hey,stuffing the ballot isn't llegal and New Yorkers kinda slacked off with him having previously a big lead.....Giants fans I guess can't get enough of "Kung Fu Panda".Sandy Alderson was pretty sarcastic but I guess he's correct....the better nickname wins!
Anyway,next year the All Star Game goes to the Mets,so hopefully RA and DWright are having big years,and the snub can be rectified for the home crowd!

The whole Cano thing was a travesty,and this thing now that you have to have a hometown representative in the home run contest?Is that really true?!!!!What a fucking travesty,giving in to a bunch of clowns Kansas City has the misfortune of disguised as fans......booing Cano at every turn,even razzing on his family?Total bs job,totally classless KC..thought you were better than that but guess not!

 

[sonny10305]

Oh Saucy The Dillon Gee situation is a real heart breaker the kid was really pitching well and our rotation was in great shape, but true to form with the Mets as soon as things go well something has to come along and mess it all up. Look, I have zero confidence in Batista filing in that spot, ZEREO. Something else will have to happen if we are to continue into any chance of a post season run. The first thought is what to do with Matt Harvey do we bring him in now or let him continue cooking in AAA, well last week I would have said let him wait a while till he is fully ready but now I feel like I wanna let him come up and give it a try. If you ask Matt he will tell you he thinks he is ready and is confident he can help the club, his manager Wally Backman agrees and has said while he is not sure Matt is completely ready he supports letting him come to Flushing. Now if you think about all the guys that have developed under Wally you have to think the guys knows from what he speaks. It’s a tough call to be sure but I am totally on board with the idea of bringing Matt up a soon as next week during the Nationals series. I know the kid well have seen him pitch many many times, he has been doing a decent job of that for most of the season, with a 3.39 ERA in 18 starts and striking out just over 100 in 98 innings. I really support this idea while many do not. I would feel so much better having Harvey on the mound that Batista. Harvey had a tremendous outing in the Minor League all-star game pitching really well pitching two scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts and was one of two “Stars of the Game. No doubt this will be discussed in the broadcast booth during tonight’s game.

Meantime Jason Bay started his rehab games and went 0-3 including striking out He’s baaaack

If you wondered what Kevin Burkhardt was doing on his vacation here is a clue

 

[syam24]

Second half starts tonite. We have some things to overcome, but the guys played confidently in the first half and took on many, many obstacles and overcame most if not all of them. Losing Dillon Gee is a big setback, but the Mets are used to doing with subs, extras, and fillins. Just hope we can continue that. I will remain upbeat as I'm sure the team will, they haven't shown quit this season. Let's Go Mets!!

 

[Sausy]

Sure with you on that,syam!!!Let's go Mets!!!!

Im not crazy about Young either,just not durable.Was Dwight Gooden ready when the Mets brought him up?Well he pitched like he was ready before the drugs and crap fucked him up...sure ideally you want him to be ready but Matt Harvey is a tough,hard nosed kid who doesn't have to be coddled.Certainly don't want to push Zack Wheeler here yet but I think everyone is aboard with Harvey's talent......he has to learn the big leagues sometime.If throwing him into the fire of a pennant race doesn't test you and make you stronger I don't know what will.Like I said though just hope everything works out for Dillon Gee and the kid has a full recovery from this serious clot situation.


LOL on the Zoolander II poster co-starring Kevin Burkhardt!Whoever came up with that is brilliantly creative(and twisted!)Love it,sonny!!!

 

[Sausy]

Disappointing loss in Atlanta last night,especially getting a nice lead and fighting back when RA Dickey just really
didn't have it giving up five runs.Pelfrey just HAS to get ahead of the batters or they'll make him pay,whether or not he basically three decent pitches as Terry Collins basically defended his verall oerformance after the game.The guys fight like hell but if you give the opposition too chances you'll get burned.Matt Harvey may be brought up to start at Citi Saturday against the Dodgers,he's pitching tomorrow and some top brass are going to see him and evaluate if they feel he's ready to go for the big club,especially command wise and secondary pitches.Interesting hearing that Terrry Collins thinks that Zack Wheeler ,who soon should be promoted to Triple AAA Buffalo will be up with the Mets in September.He was saying after the game of course Zack has a chance to play here this year,if you go through the system and can get people out,you've got a shot to get here pretty quickly.Definitely interesting things on the Mets horizon.

 

[Sausy]

Well,swept in Atlanta.....Santana just wasn't right today,and no offense.I really want to believe in this club,they've done so much in the first half to prove to the baesball world they can and will compete.But to many holes in the lineup....Duda has to rest that hamstring but we need more from him when he's healthy.More from Ike,more from Kirk Nieuwenhuis....getting Jason Bay back soon and he needs to contribute.Not necessarily dominate,he may no longer be capable of big stretches carrying a club.But give David Wright some protection,so David doesn't start regressing to the kind of hittter who thinks he has to perform big because no one else in the midde of the lineup is.So happy we've got Ruben Tejada though...the kid just knows how to play.Daniel Murphy I expect will stay strong in the second half....but the key for the Mets is coming through in the clutch like they've done,but with their big guys joining in much more consistently.

Also the bullpen has to keep things under control,as we have to see if we do have enough depth with the loss for the season of Dillon Gee,and no dependable fifth starter.....can Santana and Dickey get back on track and does Niese continue progressing or hit the wall as he usually does late in the season?A lot of questions to answer as the Mets come home Tuesday for the Nats and Dodgers before going on a possibly season making or breaking Western excursion.

 

[sonny10305]

I Got home last night form PA after a miserable rain delayed 14 inning game with the Cyclones at Penn State University, did not see the Mets get swept but have the games on my DVR to check out later. Dad tells me it was one of the worst series he has seen in a while, yesterday was very ugly with Mets lack of offense and not at all helped by an umpire who called balls passing over the plate a foot outside as strikes (but not for the Braves) and letting players call time by simply moving back from the plate before getting umpire ok. What?? The Braves owned both Santana and Dickey and we got owned by a pitcher who had not pitched in 2 years. On second thought I think I’ll just delete those games from my DVR

I have the day today so I can go to Buffalo to watch Matt Harvey who is pitching tonight. You can watch the game live on SNY at 7pm. Those of you who have not yet seen Harvey pitch this is your chance. I will get to meet the new Pitching coach Mark Brewer and get his thoughts on Harvey and of course my ole pal wally Backman who I spent a lot of time with in Brooklyn and have grown to respect so much. I will be asking Wally about Zack Wheeler whom I expect will be in Buffalo very soon. Wheeler meanwhile is now 9-4 with a 2.39 ERA in 16 starts for the B-Mets.
I will also get to catch up with Matt Den Dekker and Jason Bay, Jason has picked it up a bit
yesterday he went 2-for-4 with a pair a singles, a walk and a steal, he had been 1-9. In 3 games. Here is a real possibility that Jason will be back in the Mets lineup as soon as tomorrow in Washington. The Nats will have a left-handed starter in two of the three games that series and can use Jason’s righty bat.

The boys are in Washington for the game off but I won’t be surprised if because of the Braves series Collins does not let the boys relax but work out today instead.

Lucas Duda did not make the trip to Washington he came into NY last night to have Doctors examine his left hamstring which has been nagging him. Does not appear serious prolly not headed for the DL but we can’t be sure till the docs have a look. I’m thinkin when Bay gets back adding to an already crowded outfield Duda’s playing time will prolly be cut

 

[Sausy]

Yea sonny,your dad was right about the weekend series.Not many highlights,thankfully because of work I missed all but the last two innings Saturday and misssed yesterday but kept checking the score at work.Deleting those games you won't have missed much.

Duda hopefully will not need the DL but his bat has largely gone quiet and the boy ain't in right field for his defense!I guesss we'll just have to see what Bay has left in the tank....Matt den Dekker hasn't responded nearly as well to AAA as he did ripping up Binghamton,best leave him there to work it out.Speaking of Matt Harvey some people have been saying that his lack of a third pitch makes him more of a high end number three starter,his change up thogh I read has improved according to Mark Warthen but the brass universally thinks because of his ability to throw several pitches for strikes that Zack Wheeler is actualy the better prospect,many have him one of the best in AA and as you mention is expected to be promoted to Buffalo AAA very soon.Harvey nonetheless is a bulldog and I look forward watching him pitch....if he does master or at least develops an above average changeup or slider he has more than enough stuff to become a strong no.2 starter if not better,but Wheeler is already so good to imagine the Mets with these guys....and maybe Jeurys Familia(a great last start but his command suffered this year a lot,get that corrected and in 2914,another great arm in the mix)and michael Fulmer who is shooting up the charts with tremendou potential and ability and along wuith Jon Niese we have a whole group of young,exciting starting pitching prospects.I like Josh Edgin too,came in on a bases loaded jam and was outstanding...two strikeouts.He of course got welcomed to the major leagues by forever Mets nemesis Chipper Jones with a home run and Freddy Freeman pounded a double off the wall in the next inning,but the next game came back with a strong inning of relief with some more strikeouts.He's got a reputation for tough mindedness,a former wrestler with no fear at the plate.....perfect mentality for the pen.