I can smell it now.
The hot dogs rolling on the grill. The pretzels spinning on their racks. The popcorn popping away in the kettle.
All that, mixed with the smell of Flushing, New York and to sound of balls cracking off a wooden bat, and I can almost imagine myself at Shea Stadium.
Baseball is almost here. Right now, it is March 20th, and a mere 11 days stand between us fans and real, meaningful baseball. I don't know about you, but I already catch myself clapping for nice plays in the field, getting pumped up for strikeouts, and screaming at umps for making a close call going the other way.
11 days away from the Mets opening up in Florida against the Marlins, and starting the calendar where wearing my plastic Mets helmet is semi-acceptable. That helmet has taken a beating over the last two season, getting tossed around and pummeled like an old punching bag. Still, it stays uncracked and resilient, usually facing forward while the Mets are batting, and backwards in the field. It's usually like that because sometimes the mojo just isn't working, and I need to switch things up a bit.
Anyway, what I'm really trying to convey here is that real, live, wins and loses count, major league baseball is so very, very close.
I've never been this excited for a Mets season to begin. With all of the offseason acquisitions, how can you not be ready and raring to go for this season? If you still have a dismal outlook on the team, you need to pack up your Mets gear, send it to over to me (seriously, if you want to send me something...anything Mets related...and have it appear on this blog, just e-mail me).
Think about it: The Mets landed the best pitcher in the majors, got one of the best pitchers ever back for a full season, upgraded defensively at catcher, picked up a big bat in right field, have the left side of the infield reaching their primes and settling down into a serious, baseball focus, got 4 new knees between the second baseman and the center fielder, and even could consider the bullpen a strong point!
What more can you want from a team?
A new stadium? Well, wait another year.
Cheaper tickets? Get real.
Easier parking? In your dreams.
How about a World Series ring? Of all years in recent memory, this Mets team is the best talent I can remember, and I've never seen a buzz about the team like this. This year is going to be special, I can feel it already, and we're all ready to go along for the ride.
So maybe, Mets fans. Maybe this is our year.
3/19/08
Latest round of cuts
Even though Fernando Martinez went 1-1 with an RBI double in tonight's game, he was part of the latest round of cuts sent to the minor-league camp.
FMart, Tony Armas Jr., Nate Field and Joselo Diaz were all sent to the minors after the Mets win over the Cleveland Indians.
Geez. Armas has barely had time to unpack since he got here.
We will see Armas sometime this season, no doubt in my mind. With El Duque suffering through injuries already and Mike Pelfrey on a roller coaster each outing, Armas might be making a start or many for the Mets this year.
FMart, Tony Armas Jr., Nate Field and Joselo Diaz were all sent to the minors after the Mets win over the Cleveland Indians.
Geez. Armas has barely had time to unpack since he got here.
We will see Armas sometime this season, no doubt in my mind. With El Duque suffering through injuries already and Mike Pelfrey on a roller coaster each outing, Armas might be making a start or many for the Mets this year.
Game Recap: Mets 3 -- Indians 1
Mets pitching was dominant tonight, allowing only 1 run while striking out 15 Indians en route to a 3-1 win.
John Maine needed 97 pitches through 5 2-3 of an inning, allowing 5 hits and 1 run. Maine allowed a solo home run in the first inning, but settled down nicely, only walking one batter while striking out 7 while on the bump.
Great outing from Maine. Everyone is talking about Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez, a lot of people forget about 15-game winners like Maine and Oliver Perez. Obviously a better pitch count and more innings would be nicer, but with the bullpen actually being a strong point (shocking, I know) it's allowable.
Joe Smith came into the game with 2 on and 2 out, and struck out the batter end the inning. Scott Schoeneweis and Aaron Heilman each allowed two hits in their inning of work, but neither allowed a run to score. Schoeneweis struck out one in the 7th, and Heilman struck out three in the 8th inning.
Look! Smith pitched and didn't allow a run! Celebrate! It's nice to see him go out there, with inherited runners nonetheless, and not let any runs in. Solid outings by Schoeneweis and Heilman.
Billy Wagner closed out the game, earning the save, with a 1-2-3 inning. Wagner set the side down with three strikeouts.
Can we get that every time he pitches?
The third, fourth and fifth positions in the lineup really delivered for the Mets tonight. They went a combined 6-10, scoring 3 runs and driving in one. David Wright, Fernando Tatis, Carlos Beltran, Fernando Martinez and Damion Easley were in that group. Martinez and Easley each hit doubles, with FMart driving in one of the runs.
Those doubles were great. Easley hit his down the right field line, and looked pretty good rounding the bases. Martinez sliced his double into the gap between left and center, which plated Tatis.
Raul Casanova got another start behind the plate, and came through, going 2-3 with a 2-out RBI. Jose Reyes also picked up a hit for the Mets.
I'm glad the Mets finally have a decent backup catcher not named Alomar or Di Felice. We might be seeing Casanova or Robinson Cancel if the catching injuries continue.
John Maine needed 97 pitches through 5 2-3 of an inning, allowing 5 hits and 1 run. Maine allowed a solo home run in the first inning, but settled down nicely, only walking one batter while striking out 7 while on the bump.
Great outing from Maine. Everyone is talking about Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez, a lot of people forget about 15-game winners like Maine and Oliver Perez. Obviously a better pitch count and more innings would be nicer, but with the bullpen actually being a strong point (shocking, I know) it's allowable.
Joe Smith came into the game with 2 on and 2 out, and struck out the batter end the inning. Scott Schoeneweis and Aaron Heilman each allowed two hits in their inning of work, but neither allowed a run to score. Schoeneweis struck out one in the 7th, and Heilman struck out three in the 8th inning.
Look! Smith pitched and didn't allow a run! Celebrate! It's nice to see him go out there, with inherited runners nonetheless, and not let any runs in. Solid outings by Schoeneweis and Heilman.
Billy Wagner closed out the game, earning the save, with a 1-2-3 inning. Wagner set the side down with three strikeouts.
Can we get that every time he pitches?
The third, fourth and fifth positions in the lineup really delivered for the Mets tonight. They went a combined 6-10, scoring 3 runs and driving in one. David Wright, Fernando Tatis, Carlos Beltran, Fernando Martinez and Damion Easley were in that group. Martinez and Easley each hit doubles, with FMart driving in one of the runs.
Those doubles were great. Easley hit his down the right field line, and looked pretty good rounding the bases. Martinez sliced his double into the gap between left and center, which plated Tatis.
Raul Casanova got another start behind the plate, and came through, going 2-3 with a 2-out RBI. Jose Reyes also picked up a hit for the Mets.
I'm glad the Mets finally have a decent backup catcher not named Alomar or Di Felice. We might be seeing Casanova or Robinson Cancel if the catching injuries continue.
Lineup vs. the Indians
The Mets welcome the Cleveland Indians to Tradition Field for a 7:10 p.m. game. The game is available on SNY.
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Damion Easley
RF Ryan Church
C Raul Casanova
LF Angel Pagan
SP John Maine
Brian Schneider aimed to play tonight, and will try to play tomorrow. Duaner Sanchez also aimed to pitch tonight, but will most likely appear in tomorrow's game against the Baltimore Orioles.
This will probably begin the phasing out of lineups as they will get more and more typical. No live blog tonight, have a paper due tomorrow!
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Damion Easley
RF Ryan Church
C Raul Casanova
LF Angel Pagan
SP John Maine
Brian Schneider aimed to play tonight, and will try to play tomorrow. Duaner Sanchez also aimed to pitch tonight, but will most likely appear in tomorrow's game against the Baltimore Orioles.
This will probably begin the phasing out of lineups as they will get more and more typical. No live blog tonight, have a paper due tomorrow!
Schneider will sit again
According to David Lennon, Brian Schneider will sit again tonight for the game against the Indians.
From Lennon:
From Lennon:
I'm sorry to report that he will be nursing his strained right hamstring on the bench. Thank God for simulated games, eh? Schneider has appeared in a whopping total of five Grapefruit League games this spring and hasn't even made it through the whole rotation yet -- he's still waiting to catch Pedro Martinez in an exhibition game.Of all people to be out, I think he's the worst person to have miss these games. He's the captain out there, calling the shots for every pitch. He needs to build up camaraderie between himself and the pitching staff. As Lennon says, good things they have sim-games.
"I don't think. I know I'll be ready."
That was Duaner Sanchez on whether he'll be able to pitch come opening day.
Sanchez is planning on pitching in tonights game, which would be a huge accomplishment as he last pitched on Monday.
If Sanchez can come back and pitch a good inning on only a days rest, his chances of making the opening day squad would increase exponentially.
---
Ruben Gotay, who is trying to come back from a sprained right ankle, is suiting up for tonight's game. He wants to play, most likely as a late inning substitute.
If Gotay comes back healthy, I think he makes the team over a guy like Brady Clark or Angel Pagan. Of Clark and Pagan, I feel that one of them will make the team come March 31st. I have a sneaking suspicion it will be Clark, as he has gotten hot as of late, and would be a nice candidate to platoon with Church if need be.
Clark as volunteered to also see some time at first, but has yet to play a game at that position.
Sanchez is planning on pitching in tonights game, which would be a huge accomplishment as he last pitched on Monday.
If Sanchez can come back and pitch a good inning on only a days rest, his chances of making the opening day squad would increase exponentially.
---
Ruben Gotay, who is trying to come back from a sprained right ankle, is suiting up for tonight's game. He wants to play, most likely as a late inning substitute.
If Gotay comes back healthy, I think he makes the team over a guy like Brady Clark or Angel Pagan. Of Clark and Pagan, I feel that one of them will make the team come March 31st. I have a sneaking suspicion it will be Clark, as he has gotten hot as of late, and would be a nice candidate to platoon with Church if need be.
Clark as volunteered to also see some time at first, but has yet to play a game at that position.
FMart assesment
John Sickles over at Minor League Ball pens a great article, "Assessing Fernando Martinez," where he tries to figure what will happen to FMart in the coming years.
From Sickles:
I'm pumped to see FMart catch praise from outside the Mets blogsphere. He's an exciting player and we'll be seeing plenty of him patrolling the outfield of Citi Field very soon.
From Sickles:
Martinez has enormous potential, clearly. For a player to hold his own in Double-A at age 18 is remarkable. But it also makes it harder to get a read on what the player may do in the future. Age-relative-to-league is very important, but it's just one factor. While scouts are unanimous about his tools, no one is quite certain about how his skills are going to develop. Some see him developing into a 30+ homer guy, while some think he'll be more of a high batting average guy with OK power, and some see him developing both.As usual, only time will tell.
---
Would I invest a fantasy pick in Martinez? In a long-term keeper league, absolutely. If I was a Mets fan, would I be super-excited about Martinez? Sure. As a general baseball fan I find his case a fascinating one.
I'm pumped to see FMart catch praise from outside the Mets blogsphere. He's an exciting player and we'll be seeing plenty of him patrolling the outfield of Citi Field very soon.
Schneider may miss tonights game
Remember every time I said Brian Schneider will be back for Wednesday's night game against the Cleveland Indians?
Well, I might be a liar.
According to David Lennon, the injury might keep Schneider out of the game tonight.
From Lennon:
Hopefully Schneider can come back and catch a few exhibition games before heading into the regular season with the team, if in fact he is healthy enough to do so.
Well, I might be a liar.
According to David Lennon, the injury might keep Schneider out of the game tonight.
From Lennon:
With Brian Schneider still nursing a strained right hamstring, it sounds like he may be questionable for tonight's game against the Indians, preferring to give it one more day of rest after having to catch Orlando Hernandez in Tuesday's simulated game.I should just stop talking all together.
Hopefully Schneider can come back and catch a few exhibition games before heading into the regular season with the team, if in fact he is healthy enough to do so.
People to avoid at the ballpark
Peter Abraham, over at The LoHud Yankees Blog (yes, I read Yankees blogs, one of those "keep your friends close, and enemies closer" type of things), put out his "Ten people to avoid at the ballpark," and they're all pretty hilarious.
My personal favorites:
I also don't like those two goofs in electric blue suits and sunglasses with the bald heads that wander the stadium. No one likes you, so just stop. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Cow Bell Man, but that is because he's cool, those bald guys are just creepy.
My personal favorites:
7. People who swear at the players. How badly has your life gone that you feel compelled to come to the park and yell obscene words at somebody playing baseball? Trust me, when the player goes back to his huge house and his insanely hot wife that night, you calling him names doesn’t make him feel bad.#7, is unfortunately me, so I apologize to anyone I've sat next to, or near, when viewing a New York Mets game. I cannot agree with #8 more. I despise The Wave in every way, and refuse to participate in it, ever.8. People trying to start The Wave. The Wave is a plague on sports. It’s 50,000 people saying, “Look at us, we’re all mindless and we don’t care about the game.” Thankfully Yankee Stadium is largely Waveless.
I also don't like those two goofs in electric blue suits and sunglasses with the bald heads that wander the stadium. No one likes you, so just stop. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Cow Bell Man, but that is because he's cool, those bald guys are just creepy.
3/18/08
Results of the sim-game
Stick a fork in him, he's done.
El Duque and Mike Pelfrey faced off in a simulated game today, and Duque did not look good.
I know there's all the talk about "not caring about velocity," but this is alarming. Duque apparently topped out at only 81 mph, and was consistent in the 70's. His changeup was all the way down in the upper 50's.
Is this slow-pitch softball? He's definitely in the age range. That's really just kind of sad for a major league pitcher to barely break 80. I honestly can't see him coming back, and if he does, I can't see him being that effective unless he continuously fools batters with his incredibly slow pitches where they will swing three times before the ball gets to the plate, as if out of some cartoon.
Pelfrey tossed 90 pitches, while El Duque threw 80. Hernandez was apparently "very happy" with his performance today, even though he got tagged for a few deep balls in his final inning. Brian Schneider caught Duque today, and should return to action tomorrow.
Ramon Castro caught Pelfrey today, and was "impressed by Pelfrey's ability to throw his slider and changeup behind in the count."
I still think this is Pelfrey's spot to lose. Duque just doesn't seem healthy enough, or have enough ability left in the tank to put together a good season.
El Duque and Mike Pelfrey faced off in a simulated game today, and Duque did not look good.
I know there's all the talk about "not caring about velocity," but this is alarming. Duque apparently topped out at only 81 mph, and was consistent in the 70's. His changeup was all the way down in the upper 50's.
Is this slow-pitch softball? He's definitely in the age range. That's really just kind of sad for a major league pitcher to barely break 80. I honestly can't see him coming back, and if he does, I can't see him being that effective unless he continuously fools batters with his incredibly slow pitches where they will swing three times before the ball gets to the plate, as if out of some cartoon.
Pelfrey tossed 90 pitches, while El Duque threw 80. Hernandez was apparently "very happy" with his performance today, even though he got tagged for a few deep balls in his final inning. Brian Schneider caught Duque today, and should return to action tomorrow.
Ramon Castro caught Pelfrey today, and was "impressed by Pelfrey's ability to throw his slider and changeup behind in the count."
I still think this is Pelfrey's spot to lose. Duque just doesn't seem healthy enough, or have enough ability left in the tank to put together a good season.
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