A happy goodbye

When I started this blog in 2006, I had no idea the sort of effect it would end up having on my life. I did it on a whim - as something to help me pass the summer of my transition between high school and college.

Nearly seven years later, it's time to say goodbye.

But it's all good news from here on out. The reason TheRopolitans.com is going on indefinite hiatus is because...

In a few days, I'll be going to work for SNY.

To say I've landed my dream job is an understatement. When I met my now wife-to-be, she asked me what my dream job would be. Without skipping a beat, I said, "Work for SNY." And four years later, my dreams will become reality (both by working for SNY and marrying her).

Over 4,000 posts later (with thousands lost to the annals of the Internet), I couldn't thank you all who supported me through the years without needing a novel to spell it out. For those that have read the site since the beginning (a.k.a. my parents), those that followed me on Twitter way back in '09, to the hundreds that have commented, emailed or contacted me in some way, I must say: Thanks. Without any of you, I wouldn't be where I am today, or will be in a few weeks.

I couldn't be more excited to jump in to the fun at SNY to help make it the best place for fans to read up on their favorite New York sports teams, best place to work and best place for me to make my career.

So long, TheRopolitans.com. It's been a fun and wild ride. You've help me find my way to journalism, to friends, to jobs. But now it's time for you to rest, while I go on to bigger and better things.

Johan Santana's first scouting report

From my friend Matt Stucko (Go Bobcats!) on Twitter is a photo of Johan Santana's first professional scouting report:

. @mets @johansantana 1st official scouting report when he was 16yo by @astros scout.. Santana is 2x Cy Young winner twitter.com/MLB_Prospects/…

— Matthew Stucko (@MLB_Prospects) February 18, 2013

click to enlarge

Mike Piazza on MLBN

In case you missed Mike Piazza on MLB Network last night discussing his new book, here are the clips from the show:

Bourn signs in Cleveland; How was the Mets offseason?

Free-agent outfielder Michael Bourn, who the Mets had been persuing - dependent on the ruling on the status of their draft pick (which was in jeopardy of being lost if the team signed him) - has signed with the Cleveland Indians.

Reports are that Bourn signed for a similar amount of money that the Mets were offering, but didn't want to wait for the MLB to make a decision on the Mets draft pick.

So, that pretty much closes the book on the Mets 2012-2013 offseason that saw them trade away the reigning Cy Young winner and get back a starting catcher, the top catching prospect in baseball and a live minor league arm. But what do Mets fans think of the moves? Let's find out...

Google honors Jackie Robinson on his birthday

Very cool Google Doodle today...

And if you haven't seen it, here's the trailer for 42, the upcoming Jackie Robinson biopic. Note Ebbets Field. It's amazing how similarly they designed Citi Field. It's pretty much the same thing.

Just prepping my devices for the upcoming season

Boy, these Mets names are getting tougher and tougher...

Jay Horwitz is on Twitter (but he has been for a long time)

The Mets Twitter-sphere is abuzz with news that Mets VP of Public Relations has joined Twitter. But, it looks like this isn't news. He's been on Twitter for over two years, just in a fairly quiet account.

Jay Horwitz - @jay_horwitzpr - has been on Twitter for over two years. He RT'd this article 825 days ago: bit.ly/WZ45PW #mets

— Andrew Vazzano (@TheRopolitans) January 25, 2013

But there's good reason to follow him now, not only for his eventual tweets, but also for this:

Jeff Wilpon challenged @jay_horwitzpr to get to 10K followers by midnight. If successful he'll make a donation to a charity of Jay's choice.

— New York Mets (@Mets) January 25, 2013

My 2013 Mets-olutions

I joined a gym. I go four times a week. I'm actually starting to like it. But what about the stuff that really matters? You know, the Mets.

Here are my 2013 Mets resolutions, or Mets-olutions, if you will.

1. Attend 25 percent of Mets home games
2. Go to some aspect of the All-Star Game (be it Futures Game, Fan Fest, Home Run Derby or game)
3. Get a foul and/or home run ball
4. Wear my Keith Hernandez replica jersey to half the games I attend
5. Do not get ketchup, sausage-and-pepper juice or anything else on said Keith Hernandez jersey
6. Visit the press box
7. Watch a game from the press box
8. Interview a player
9. High-five Mr. Met
10. Watch an entire game from the Pepsi Porch
11. Sit in the cushioned seats
12. Watch a game from a luxury box
13. Tailgate before a game
14. Watch a game from the MoZone
15. Have a winning record at games I attend

What else should I add? Do you have any Mets-olutions?

Gotta love Johan

In regards to his B.A.T. award he will be receiving tonight...

“I was deeply honored to receive such a prestigious award from B.A.T.  B.A.T is a cause I’ve long supported since being in the majors and one I will continue to support. Unfortunately, however, I will not be able to attend Tuesday’s dinner because I’m still in Venezuela trying to complete the paperwork for the construction of the baseball and soccer stadium in my hometown of Tovar. Again, my apologies on not being there and my congratulations to all the honorees.” – Johan Santana

Good Guy Johan.

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!