David Wright will be a Met for a long, long time

Oh, happy day.

David Wright and the Mets agreed on an 8-year deal (nullifying his 2013 contract), which will have him in blue and orange through 2020.

The deal, worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $140 million, was originally reported by Ed Coleman of WFAN, and subsequently confirmed by multiple sources in the middle of the night.

It's way too early to argue whether this is the right deal in terms of years or money, but it does point to a brighter future ahead for the Mets and their woeful financial troubles. If they can do this, they have to be on the right track, deferred money or not.

This is a great day to be a Mets fan.

Mike Piazza: Hall of Famer?

Las Vegas 51s likes to post trade ideas on Facebook

Um, OK?

Hurricane Sandy (Alderson)

He’s coming for you, Winter Meetings. He’s just getting warmed up.

Mets move Triple-A to Las Vegas, inherit worst mascot ever

If you haven’t heard, the Mets will no longer be affiliated with the Buffalo Bisons, but will instead affiliate themselves with the Las Vegas 51s as their new Triple-A affiliate.

That’s all well and good – teams change their affiliation every so often (remember the Norfolk Tides?) – but the real reason for this post is to introduce you to the worst mascot in professional sports.

His name is Cosmo. And he is terrifying.

The team’s website says, “Cosmo is a survivor of a spaceship crash who spent time at "Area 51" and was a baseball phenom on his home planet of Koufaxia.”

Koufaxia. Ah, it’s no wonder the Wilpons moved here.

The more you know about this creature the better.

Cosmo loves hot dogs, Cracker Jack and popcorn. His favorite music includes Elton John's "Rocket Man," David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust," Styx's "Mr. Roboto," and the Space Jazz Trio. His favorite movies and TV shows include Men in Black (I , II & III), all episodes of the Star Wars saga, Lost in Space and Star Trek.

I’m pretty sure this thing is a long lost cousin of Jar Jar Binks, which makes it all that much worse.

The Mets have the greatest mascot in MLB with Mr. Met and the worst mascot in professional sports in Cosmo.

All of the 2013 All-Star Game logos

As we all know, Citi Field will play host to the All-Star Game next season.

We’ve all seen this logo in the news and hanging in center field:

But have you seen these alternate logos, which might be even more awesome?

So cool. Love the home run apple one and the simple top of the apple logo.

Here's the trailer for 'Knuckleball!'

Featuring our very own R.A. Dickey...

Why is Keith's 'stach gray? An investigative report

You may have noticed, as you watched some Mets games over the last few days, that Keith Hernandez's mustache has gone a little gray.

Why's that?

"I guess he ran out of Just For Men," said Gary Cohen, who was doing the pre-game from SNY's studios on  Thursday.

But Cohen's joke may not be far from the truth.

Andrew Fegyveresi, VP of Communications at SNY, said he believes that Hernandez and Just For Men have parted ways. Hernandez, according to this article by Richard Sandomir in the NY Times, has been in the ads since at least 2008, but the article hints that the commercials had been on for some time before it was written.

I have reached out to Just For Men for confirmation, but did not receive a reply by the time this was published.

Reeeeeeeee-jected!

Let's remember the good times:


Additional reporting by Lenny Neslin of Lenny's Yankees.

My favorite press release

New York Mets’ Ike Davis Set to Host Second Annual Charity Event

First baseman teams up with childhood cancer charities, Billboard #1 country artist, and teammates for an unforgettable evening

New York, NY (August 1, 2012) -  New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis will host his annual charity event, “A Night with Ike Davis,” at City Winery in New York City on September 9th at 7 PM. This special evening, which will benefit Solving Kids’ Cancer (SKC) and the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative, will feature a concert by country music star Lee Brice and celebrity bartending with Davis and teammates.

After losing his childhood friend, Mike Lio, to Ewing’s Sarcoma at the young age of 22, Davis has devoted his philanthropic efforts to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. After generating $60,000 during last year’s inaugural event, the first baseman has teamed up with Brice, a four-time Academy of Country Music nominee, to host another special evening in his friend’s honor.

“Seeing the impact and success this night had last year truly inspired me,” said Davis. “It’s amazing what you can do when you bring everyone together for a great cause. I am extremely grateful to have my teammates and Lee Brice so involved this year. I know Mike would be really proud of what we are doing and I am looking forward to a great evening.”

In addition to the concert, the event will also feature an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, raffles, VIP clubhouse access and a variety of one-of-a-kind items that will be included in an auction. If you are unable to attend the event on Sept. 9th but would still like to contribute, you can tip your favorite celebrity bartender online (http://bit.ly/ANwIke ), or make a $9.99 donation by texting “IKE” to 32020. A portion of the purchase proceeds will support Davis’ efforts and benefit SKC and The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.

Johan to DL

Johan Santana is going on the DL...

— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) July 21, 2012

Johan Santana to DL, officially with ankle injury.

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) July 21, 2012

On Jeremy Lin and the Mets

I’m not a Knicks fan. I watch the Knicks, but I’m far from a fan.

So, the Knicks didn’t match the Houston Rockets contract for Jeremy Lin, ending Linsanity in New York. But, just for some reality, let’s draw a bit of a parallel between Lin and… let’s say… Jordany Valdespin.

Lin started all of 25 games for the Knicks. He’s played in 64 total games, a mere 1,225 minutes. Valdespin has 40 games under his belt, just 81 plate appearances.

Knicks fans, and sports writers everywhere, are foaming at the mouth as they write about how awful of a move this was, tearing into James Dolan, etc. But, at this point, would you give Valdespin a contract like Lin just signed? $25 million over three years.

Imagine if Sandy Alderson turned around and announced at the end of the season, “Oh, by the way, we just signed Valdespin to a three-year deal, worth north of $20 million. And we’ll probably get fined for going over the (non-existant) MLB salary cap in a few years.”

Sure, Jordany might have more to prove, but the point still stands. Signing a guy who hasn’t even played a full season to a $25 million deal is beyond bonkers, marketing, ticket sales and all.

There would be riots! Mets fans would storm Citi Field and loot anything that wasn’t bolted down. But Knicks fans were clamoring for the Knicks to match the contract and bring Lin back.

Maybe I’m missing something. Maybe I don’t get the full picture. Yeah, I know Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton aren’t the answer. But how can you say Lin was? 25 starts! Twenty-five!

Maybe a Knicks fan can set me straight in the comments. Please, shed some light on this!

#Spinsanity

Can we officially transfer the -sanity meme over to Jordany now? #SPINSANITY

— Andrew Vazzano (@TheRopolitans) July 18, 2012

Tracking Jesse Orosco’s glove [Photos]

We all know it. Jesse Orosco on the mound, strikes out Marty Barret to clinch the Mets 1986 World Series championship.

Swing and a miss, and Orosco jumps up, arms in the air. After he windmills his arms, he flings his glove into the air.

And it never comes down.

At least, it never looks like it does. Let’s investigate.

I have a Mets confession to make

OK, I've been sitting on this one a while. I realized it a long time ago, but never wrote anything about it - well, until now. Why? Well, because it makes me a bad Mets fan.

I did something bad. Very, very bad.

You know those senior quotes in yearbooks? Yeah, well mine is totally Mets-ian.

"A little roller up along first, behind the bag. It gets through Buckner! Here comes Knight and the Mets win it!" That shows up under my photo from 2006, when I graduated from high school. But, I made a boo boo.

I attributed that quote to Bob Murphy. Bob Murphy did not say that. Vin Scully did.

Scully was calling the game for NBC, and he's the legend that said those now-legendary words. But, I gave those words to Murphy. It was an oversight on my part. I didn't do any research. I didn't even Google it. I just assumed. No one checked. No one cared.

And now, forever, I am a bad Mets fan for misquoting one of the greatest moments in Mets history.

Oops.

A conversation with a reader about Thole and Murphy

A reader emailed me yesterday to discuss Josh Thole and Daniel Murphy - he of the amazing mustache - and their low OBP.

The conversation follows below...

Reader:

Can you please address the abysmal OBP's of Daniel Murphy and Josh Thole? It is the only reason they are on the team.

Do you also find Mike Nickeas' presence to be insulting to the other ball club?

Me:

I'm not sure I understand the question about Thole and Murphy's OBP? How is that the only reason they're on the team?

And yes, Mike Nickeas is awful.

Reader:

Well thanks for getting back to me.

I mean they serve no other purpose, actually this probably could be a good blog post but what do i know, you are the blogger.

They are Mets major leaguers because of their ability to get on base, more evidence to that fact are:
1) They have no power
2) They are both lousy at defense (one could argue significant improvement from Thole but one cannot argue that is how he got to this point)
3) They have no speed
4) What am I missing? (High OBP got them to the majors, which they are not doing right now)

What do you think of it? 

Me:

Well, who are you going to replace them with? Sure, they're only OBPing in the low .300s, but as you said... Mike Nickeas can't take over for Thole. Rob Johnson? Nope. Lucas May? Nope.  

And for Murphy... you want Valdespin out there every game? Sure, he's hitting lately, but he's not proven and his glove may be worst than Murphy's. You have to remember Murphy is in a deeeeeeeeeeep slump right now, too. 

And Thole/Nickeas are faced with Dickey's knuckleball every five days. You've seen how fooled hitters are with the pitch - catchers are just as confused too!

Reader:

Yeah but now we see that they can't be a part of our future and must be terminated quickly. 

Me:

Thole is the catcher for the foreseeable future. Murphy is being moved around yearly to find him a spot. Neither positions are being threatened by players in the minors. These are the guys for right now and probably for a few years to come.

Reader:

Impossible situation to win carrying the both of them getting on base at a 300 clip.  

Me:

Who would you put in their places?

I'm still waiting on a response.

Mets no-hitter T-shirt is awful

I understand getting this shirt out quickly, but this is just horrendous. Almost as bad as those "Wild Card Winner" shirts that I'm pretty sure no one buys.

Johan Santana's no-hitter, by the numbers

27,069 paid attendees.

155 minutes, length of game.

134 pitches.

99th start as a Met.

90 Game Score.

77 strikes.

38 strikes by contact.

21 strikes looking.

18 swinging strikes.

16 fly balls.

8 strike outs.

5 walks.

3 ground balls.

0 hits.

Now go watch my reaction video.

Today's covers

Because you know you want to see them before you go buy them to store in the deep recesses of your closet.

Enjoy.

Here's a video of me watching Johan Santana throw the Mets first no-hitter

I really have no words right now other then what I said in the moments after Johan Santana struck out the final batter to seal the first no-hitter in Mets history and in his career.

So, just watch this and enjoy. It's long and weird and crazy. Like me. Like all Mets fans tonight. So, so happy. (I start talking around 1:45)

With Thole back, who goes?

Update: Rob Johnson has been sent down to Triple-A Buffalo. And there's your move.

Mets 2012 Stars & Stripes hat is camouflage

Gone are the red, white and blues of the past. This year, it's camouflage.

Looks like these hats are going from bad to worse.

I was on TV last night!

My girlfriend and I went to last night's Mets/Reds game, and ended up on TV a few times. I also caught a T-shirt. It was a banner day for me.

(I'm in the white button down with the blue hat. The girlfriend is next to me in the grey Mets shirt.)

Hat tip to @MetsKevin11 for the screencaps!

And here's some video:

Even Facebook says TRAID DAVID WRONG!

No.

Just, no.

8,000

Eight thousand games. 8K games. 100 + 900 x 8 = 8,000 games.

And still, no no-hitters.

Well, still 7,999. Johan Santana takes the mound on Friday for the Mets 8,000th ever game and their 8,000th attempt at pitching a no-no.

Just the Mets and the San Diego Padres have never pitched a no-hitter (and the Washington Nationals, but everyone but the Nationals knows they used to be the Montreal Expos). The Pads, though, have only played about 6,900 games in their lifetime.

Look, in the end, no-hitters don't really matter. They're not worth more wins, or runs, or games in the standings. But they're cool. And the Mets, at nearly 8,000 games don't have one. Roughly two no-nos are tossed a year, with 274 thrown since 1875.

And yet, the Mets don't have one.

Of course, pitchers who pitched for the Mets went on to throw no-hitters (and a perfect game) and pitchers that had completed the feat eventually came to the Mets, but couldn't spin the same yarn while in orange and blue.

So, on Friday when (not if) Santana gives up a hit to a member of the Miami Marlins, all the numbers on the odometer will turn, and the Mets will hit the dubious mark of 8K games without a no-hitter. Nothing will change and the Mets will go for it again in game eight thousand and one.

SOMEBODY LEFT THE GATE OPEN

The song that has been burned into Mets fans brains since the beginning of the season has been found, in its entirety. Amazingly, it gets worse than what we've heard.

Enjoy it, if you can...

Photos: Mets are cowboys

Jose Reyes tribute video

Via friend of TheRopolitans.com, Geoffrey Sorensen.

If you didn't think the Marlins would be a circus this year...

This video should confirm it for you...

Deadspin: Will You Start Loving Citi Field If It Gets Uglier? - A Mets fan responds

Deadspin writer John Koblin this teardown of Citi Field minutes ago. I tweeted out a link, and Mets fans are pissed.

I feel the need to respond to a few salient points that Koblin makes.

First, some factual errors...

1. Citi Field never had "forest green" walls. They were a black / dark grey. See here in this photo I took when the stadium first opened. (More photos here, here,  here and here.)

Koblin misquoted Dave Howard from this piece. Howard is referring to the seat, not the walls. Except below.

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

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

2. Only the Yankees can have 408 walls? Come on. Please note all the other stadiums that are 408 to CF.

3. Only the Mets put retired numbers on their outfield walls? It's not like they're growing ivy out there. See U.S. Cellular Field, Busch Stadium and :gasp: Shea Stadium!

And now for some more personal viewpoints...

4. Mets fans haven't been showing up to Citi Field the last few years has absolutely nothing to do with the stadium. I love the stadium. It's beautiful and a huge upgrade over Shea Stadium. (At least to some of us.) I haven't been going to many games because the team stinks. It's not the stadium that makes me not go, it's the team on the field.

5. The whole point of the article is that the Mets seem to be listening to their fans, making the stadium more Mets-ian. Why is that a bad thing? How could that ever be a bad thing?

6. The uniforms. Everyone loves them. If you yearn for the days of black uniforms, you should be buried in the parking lot where Shea Stadium used to stand.

7. This doesn't even address the most obvious point of fan contention with the stadium: The Jackie Robinson Rotunda. He never was a Met!

This article does not reflect any of the thoughts of any Mets fans I've talked to over the years. We all seem absolutely thrilled with all the changes the team has made with the stadium since it opened. How, Mr. Koblin, is that a negative thing?

I don't get what this article was trying to accomplish. I'd love to find out, though.

Want to attend a game? Check out the Mets Citi Field Schedule and judge for yourself.

What number should the Mets retire?

Credit where credit is due (or in defense of Omar Minaya)

Omar Minaya. Just saying the name will drive Mets fans up a wall. Or to tears. Or both.

But, this is a post that somewhat praises him.

Wait, don't close the page! Stay with me. Just for a few minutes.

A lot of hubbub has been made about the Mets fielding a starting nine, with eight of them being "homegrown" players. The lone man on the outside, Jason Bay, did spend some time in the Mets minor league system in '02.

But, let's look at that starting nine that took the field, all but one of them drafted and signed by the Mets, then groomed in the minors before breaking into the show.

1. Ruben Tejada, SS
2. Daniel Murphy, 2B
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Ike Davis, 1B
5. Jason Bay, LF
6. Lucas Duda, RF
7. Josh Thole, C
8. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CF
9. Mike Pelfrey, P

Again, all but Bay were signed and/or drafted by the Mets and brought up through the team's minor league system. The curious thing to look at here is when they all came to the team and who was in charge at the time.

1. Ruben Tejada, SS - Signed in 2006, GM Omar Minaya
2. Daniel Murphy, 2B - Drafted in 2006, GM Omar Minaya
3. David Wright, 3B - Drafted in 2001, GM Steve Phillips (Assistant GM Omar Minaya)
4. Ike Davis, 1B - Drafted in 2008, GM Omar Minaya
5. Jason Bay, LF
6. Lucas Duda, RF - Drafted in 2007, GM Omar Minaya
7. Josh Thole, C - Drafted in 2005, GM Omar Minaya
8. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CF - Drafted in 2008, GM Omar Minaya
9. Mike Pelfrey, P - Drafted in 2005, GM Omar Minaya.

Of the homegrown players, all but one of them came to the team with Minaya as general manager. Wright, the only one who came before Minaya was at the helm, came when he was an assistant GM to Phillips.

But wait, there's more!

Jon Niese ('05), Bobby Parnell ('05) and Dillon Gee ('07) we're also drafted by Minaya's regime. 

That means that 10 of the 25 players on the Mets roster right now came from drafts or signings during Omar Minaya's tenure as Mets GM. That's 40 percent!

You also can't forget that Minaya also swung the deal for Johan Santana, for four players who have had little to impact on major league rosters. (He also signed Jason Bay, but this a post showing that he did some good, too!)

So when you're praising the homegrown lineup, you're praising Minaya. Just let that one sink in a bit.

The David Wright Broken Pink(ie)y Injury Update

David Wright update: "The injury to the little finger on David Wright’s right hand was re-evaluated today by a hand specialist in New York

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 12, 2012

More: "who reiterated that David can return to baseball activity as tolerated.His playing status will be reviewed again tomorrow .,.

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 12, 2012

More: "in Philadelphia prior to the game.”

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 12, 2012

Photo: Citi Field from Sec. 505

Video: Daniel Murphy's walk-off hit

Here's the video I shot last night from Sec. 505 with Daniel Murphy singling in Mike Baxter for the 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals.


Also, with a cameo by Randy's hand and sticker from ReadTheApple.com.

In preparation for Kirk Nieuwenhuis' impending call up...

Expecting a call up for Kirk Nieuwenhuis to replace Andres Torres on the Mets roster, I had to add Kirk's last name to my iPhone keyboard.

I had to look it up three times just writing this post.

Just remember, "i-before-e-after-n-before-wen-then-h-u-is."

MLB's Gameday updates outfield walls at Citi

Click for big

Those walls are blue.

Can't confirm if they also removed the drop shadow from the uniforms, but it looks like they may have.

2012 Mets Opening Day lineup

We guessed at it earlier, but here is the real 2012 Opening Day lineup...

1. Andres Torres, CF
2. Daniel Murphy, 2B
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Ike Davis, 1B
5. Jason Bay, LF
6. Lucas Duda, RF
7. Ruben Tejada, SS
8. Josh Thole, C
9. Johan Santana, P

Video: Should I Pujols or Cano (Ike Davis cameo!)

Ike Davis gets a cameo, unfortunately wearing a Dallas Cowboys shirt.

Link: Paul DePodesta Q&A

Q&A with Mets Vice President of Player Development and Amateur Scouting Paul DePodesta on Baseball Prospectus

Looks like we can safely assume the Mets Opening Day lineup now

With the lineup set for today's game against the Yankees, I think it's pretty safe to assume it's roughly the same lineup that will go into Opening Day for the Mets on Thursday.

Here's the lineup today...

1. Andres Torres, CF
2. Daniel Murphy, 2B
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Ike Davis, 1B
5. Jason Bay, LF
6. Lucas Duda, RF
7. Scott Hairston, DH
8. Josh Thole, C
9. Ruben Tejada, SS

Now, obviously there won't be a DH in Citi Field come Thursday, and we know Johan Santana will be on the mound, so scratch Hairston and add Santana to the bottom and you've got your OD lineup.

1. Torres, CF
2. Murphy, 2B
3. Wright, 3B
4. Davis, 1B
5. Bay, LF
6. Duda, RF
7. Thole, C
8. Tejada, SS
9. Santana, P

Eventually, my thinking is Duda will flip with Bay to protect Davis more. What do you think about this lineup?

Report: Wilpons look to bring back Omar Minaya and Steve Phillips as Co-GMs

This is an April Fools post.

Here's how I'm hearing it. It looks like the Wilpons want to bring back Omar Minaya and Steve Phillips as additions to Sandy Alderson.

Against Alderson's wishes, of course.

Possibly the strangest move the Wilpons could do.

Past-GM Minaya was working for the Padres organization, and Phillips was most recently working for ESPN.

Your guess is as good as mine as to why this is going down, and now of all times of the year.

Apparently, the Wilpons realize they have some cash to spend and want to bring in Minaya and Wilpon to make some big signings.

Please tell me how this will work out well for the team.

Really, do they have any common sense at all?!

I truly cannot believe that Alderson, Wilpon and Minaya could work together as a three-team GM squad.

Lots of ways this can get screwed up, and fast.

Frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if Alderson quits in the coming days.

Obviously, he'd be totally in the right to do so.

Once Minaya and Phillips join, how can one GM make any decisions? By putting it to a vote?

Literally, this is the worst news ever.

Seriously.

...

Just kidding!

Happy April Fools.

For previous April Fools posts, here's one from '08 and '09.

The best worst movie ever, Troll 2, has Mets pennants on the walls

If you've never seen Troll 2 (and the documentary that chronicles it, The Best Worst Move), fire up your Netflix and watch it now.

It is an film so bad it is so good. It has a 0 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It has a 2.4 rating on IMDB and is No. 85 on the Bottom 100 films of all time.

But that's not why I'm writing this post. It is a Mets blog, after all. While I watched it, I noticed in the son's room, there were sports banners all over the walls. A Darryl Strawberry pennant hung near Joshuas's bed and a New York Mets banner over his mirror by the door.

Grandpa Seth, The Grandpa

So, why are there Mets banners on the wall? Why is there an Expos lamp next to Joshua's bed? Cincinnati Reds and Oakland A's pennants hanging above Strawberry's?

Well, the movie was filmed in Utah in the late '80s and was released in 1990. It was written and directed by an Italian couple, with an entirely Italian crew for a just hundreds of thousands of dollars - quite a small amount for a "feature" film.

Diana Waits, The Mom

So, an Italian crew, filming in Utah from 1988-1990, how exactly did all these random sports items find their way into this home and into the film?

I even tweeted to one of the film's actors to ask...

@AndrewVazzano That's a damn good question. No idea

— Jason Steadman (@jasonsteadman) March 31, 2012

We may never know the answer to this question. We may never know how such a terrible movie was made. And we may never know why so many people - including myself - have come to love this film for just how bad it is.

But, please, go watch this movie. It's the best worst thing I've ever seen.

David Lennon leaving Mets beat

Newsday's Mets beat reporter, David Lennon, is leaving the Mets beat to become Newsday's Major League Baseball columnist.

I've always thought Lennon was one of the best reporters on the beat. He's been the reporter for Newsday for as long as I've been blogging and the only one to stay at the same outlet the whole time. Adam Rubin is the only other reporter to still be on the Mets beat since I've been writing.

Lennon is taking over for Ken Davidoff, who is moving over to the New York Post to be their baseball columnist.

Currently, the new Newsday reporter is "TBD," says Lennon.

I love media movements!

SI: Excerpt from R.A. Dickey's memoir

R.A. Dickey's book comes out in a few days, but Sports Illustrated has a few excerpts up now.

Dickey covers finding a syringe in the Ranger's clubhouse, being sexually abused as a child by his babysitter and contemplating suicide.

This will be a fascinating read.

Hilarious Taiwanese animation of Wilpon scandal

New York Mets on Twitter

I've gone through and compiled a Twitter list of players in the New York Mets organization who are on Twitter.

You can follow the list here. There are currently 45 52 players on the list.

If there are any other players than the ones listed here, please let me know and I will add them. If players leave the organization, and I don't update it, tweet me and let me know.

The list will also live on this page on the blog, so you can always check there for updated if you're not into Twitter.

What will the 2012 Mets Opening Day lineup look like?

With the news that David Wright is heading back to New York for a visit to the Hospital for Special Surgery and possible cortisone shot, this had me thinking: What will the 2012 Opening Day lineup look like? (Also, go to that link and look at Jon Heyman's photo. Ha!)

Apparently, nothing like the 2011 one (or 2010, for that matter)!

Orange lines show players that appear in both.

From 2010 to 2011, only one player appeared on both lineups. That player is now a question mark for 2012. So is, obviously, Johan Santana. He's making good progress, sure, but who knows what will happen in the next month. And can Johan go every five days, for more than three innings? Time will tell.

But just look at the turnover from year to year. Rebuilding? Nope. Poor building? Yup.

Wright and Santana could make their OD starts, and that would bring the total of players from last year's lineup up to four. Still not a majority, but still not great.

Only $383? That wouldn't be too bad

I think I could put up that dough.

Believe me, MLB At Bat app, I've tried

If only it was as easy as pressing that button.

The Mets have 'Underdog' shirts from Jeff Wilpon

Mets players were given orange t-shirts with the Underdog "U" on the front by Jeff Wilpon. Fans are, as expected, polarized on the topic.

I like it. I get the idea behind it, and the motivational tone to it. A lot of people are writing the team off this year - no real shocker there - so why not use the underdog idea as a rallying cry? Works for me.

Others, though, are probably put off by the fact that a Wilpon made this gesture. If Terry Collins, or even a player, had thought of this or made these shirts, it might have meant a little more to everyone and maybe taken a bit of the sting out of the shirt. But because Jeff Wilpon was behind it, it must be evil and mean and angry! Grr!

Look, I get the Wilpons aren't great with their money and have put the team in quite the precarious situation, but it's another thing entirely to think they want the team to lose, or don't want what's best for them. As I wrote a while ago, this is not Major League.

The Wilpons want the Mets to do as well as any fan does. In fact, probably more so. Everyone wants the Mets to win. If they have to wear pink tutus to do it, so be it. These Underdog shirts shouldn't be an issue and we shouldn't make it one, but the simple fact that I'm having to write about it shows that I'm too late for that.

Here's some fan reactions...

Here are the things you need to be able to do to be a Washington Nationals ballgirl

via MLB Team Jobs:

Baseball Knowledge:Fielding foul balls and getting out of the way of fair ones, it is important to know the difference between the two. Also knowing when to retrieve the pitchers’ jackets from the bullpen to run to the dugout. 

Fan Interaction:Interacting, motivating and energizing Nats’ fans at all designated Nationals home games through the giving of foul balls to kids and Nats fans. 

Gameday Setup and Breakdown:Arriving on time and making sure uniform is clean and neat, stool is clean and in working order and helmet is clean. 

Other:Assisting with other on-field activities as needed (Presidents Race, t-shirt toss, etc.).
Education, Experience, Skills, and Abilities 

Required: (critical to successful job performance)Prior experience in softball a plus.
Must be reliable, able to arrive at Nationals Park at least 60 minutes prior to gametimes, punctual, courteous, and have good listening and multi-tasking skills.
Ball Girls must display professionalism whenever they are wearing their uniform, as they are brand ambassadors for the entire Washington Nationals organization.
Strong ability to work well with co-workers and supervisors in a team environment and professional manner.
Must have the physical ability to perform athletic activities in all weather conditions, including running around the warning track.
Must be able to lift and carry items up to 50lbs.
Must be available to work during all Nationals home games, including days, nights, weekends and holidays.

Gary Carter patch

This is the patch the Mets will wear in honor of Gary Carter in the 2012 season.

It's perfect.

Links: Remembering Gary Carter

Mets fans are penning their tributes to Gary Carter. Here's a roundup...

• Toby Hyde, Mets Minor League Blog
• Stephanie Segal, on MetsGrrl
• Ted Berg, TedQuarters
• Kerel Cooper, On The Black
• Jon Springer, Mets By The Numbers
• Joe Janish, MetsToday
• Andrew Rabin, Mystery Files of Shelby Woo
• "Frankie," Frankie and the Fonz
• Bob, Bobs Blitz
• Anonymous, NYM Rant
• Taryn Cooper, Kiner's Korner
• Scott Ilowite, The Daily Stache
• Devon Jeffreys, The Daily Stache
• Dave, Mostly Mets
• Josh Alper, NBC New York
• Greg Prince, Faith and Fear in Flushing
• Jason Fry, Faith and Fear in Flushing
• Chris Jaffe, The Hardball Times

This is not an exhaustive list. Please let me know if you have a link to post. 

If you have your own thoughts on the passing of The Kid, please leave them in the comments.

Gary Carter, 57, always #8

Gary "The Kid" Carter did a lot during his baseball days. It is truly a blow to the baseball community to lose him so young to something so horrible. He was 57.

Here is, maybe, his crowning moment, a Newsday commercial from 1986...

WFAN hires Josh Lewin to replace Wayne Hagin

WFAN and the Mets have confirmed that Josh Lewin will join Howie Rose in the radio-broadcast booth, replacing Wayne Hagin.

ESPN's Adam Rubin tweeted before that the Mets confirmed the hire, which confused me. I figured it would be WFAN's call, through-and-through. After a few tweets about it, the Immortal Chris Majkowski, chimed in from the Mets WFAN Twitter account.

@TheRopolitans @Fletch788 The radio station hires the announcers, the Mets have right of approval.

— Mets WFAN (@MetsWFAN) February 14, 2012

Mets Fans Meme

click for bigger

Sandy Alderson is on Twitter; His first tweet...

Think it's him? Confirmed. It's him.


This is awesome.

Did you miss the Mets bloggers disagreeing on Twitter? Here's the rundown...

To all my fellow Giants fans...

And maybe, just maybe, one day the Mets could do something like this...

Video: Shredding baseball bats

Because why not.

John Franco elected to Mets Hall of Fame

BREAKING NEWS: Congrats to John Franco the newest member of the Mets Hall of Fame!!— New York Mets (@Mets) January 26, 2012

The things Terry Collins *didn't* answer on Twitter [NSFW]

Earlier today, I put together a full transcript of Terry Collins taking questions on Twitter. Read it here.

But because the Internet is sometimes a strange place, there were a lot of people asking a lot of questions that Terry Collins didn't answer. They are below. Some text is NSFW.

All the questions and answers to Terry Collins on Twitter

Mets have their very own Tim Tebow in Eric Niesen

Tim Tebow is unabashed about his religion. So is Mets farmhand Eric Niesen. Here are just a few tweets from Niesen's Twitter feed...

"real men love jesus"
— Eric Niesen (@EricNiesen) January 14, 2012

The Lords ways are incredible and always perfect! #letChristlead
— Eric Niesen (@EricNiesen) January 10, 2012

Today praying to seek first the kingdom of God and not my own ways. #Jesussaves
— Eric Niesen (@EricNiesen) January 3, 2012

Live your day for Christ!
— Eric Niesen (@EricNiesen) January 5, 2012

Thankfully, I'm pretty sure Niesen has a much better arm than Tebow.

Hilarious video from Read The Apple

But seriously, those ASPCA commercials need to stop.

Results: Fans expect Mets to win in 2014 under Sandy

Results from here.

Poll: How long is Sandy's leash?

We're entering Year Two of Sandy Alderson & Co. and with the Wilpons finances and the bevy of talent in the NL East, I'm wondering how long Mets fans will (have to) wait to see a competitive team on the field.

Obviously, this year and next year, he gets a bit of a pass. Coming to a new team and turning it into your team is no easy task. Sandy is around for two more years, with an option for 2015. Is 2014 the year you expect him to produce something good? Do you expect an extension, possibly without a playoff appearance? If you had to put money on a sports betting website, what year would be the best?

When will he put a competitive team on the field? (Competitive meaning - in this context - they can make the playoffs and challenge for the World Series.)

Vote below, and leave your thoughts in the comments...

Mike Francesa is a bum

"I would say there's a better chance that the Mets win the pennant"

-Mike Francesa, on if he would reunite with Chris "Mad Dog" Russo after his contract ends in 2014