Photo of the Day: Evans

Nick Evans had a pretty good MLB debut, if I do say so myself.
I dare not resize this because this photo needs to be seen in all it's glory.

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Willie sees it coming

And how couldn't he?

But I feel bad for the Willie Randolph. He's a good (not great) manager and has been unlucky enough to be handed a team mostly of veterans who have been oft injured and declining in talent. The sprinkling of youth on the team has been good, but inconsistent.

From a Bart Hubbuch article in the Post:

In another sign that he realizes the end could soon be near, Randolph used some dark humor when talking about [Omar] Minaya's arrival.

"I thought I saw him in the back sharpening his machete," Randolph said. "I don't know if that feels too good. He saw me coming, so he kind of slipped it in his back pocket. I don't know if that made me feel better."

Later in a rambling, 20-minute interview, Randolph seemed resigned to his potential fate when asked about the ominous timing of Minaya's unexpected visit. Randolph even described Minaya's public voicing of support as "the kiss of death."

"I'm just so hell-bent on winning the game right now that whether Omar is here or not, whether they support me or not, is irrelevant really,"

Randolph said. "It's going to be what it's going to be. I'll go down to the last day trying to win a ballgame.

That's why I'm here. That's why I came here. All that stuff is out of my hands."

Oh boy. That is both sad and good at the same time.

The guy just wants to win, and he is "hell-bent" on doing it, something I never expected to hear from Randolph. Yes, this might just be his last ditch effort to stay employed, but I feel this is something he truly believes, just doesn't show it.

Today's win was nice. Solid all around, as I said, but it's only one win and this team needs more.

Let's hold off on judging one way or another for now, but everything must be kept on a short leash.

TSTDIA: Mets 9 -- Rockies 2

An all around solid game from Claudio Vargas on the mound and Carlos Beltran, David Wright and especially Nick Evans at the plate.

So this is what it feels like to win. I forgot what this was like.

Nick Evans

First AB: One pitch. One hit. One double. One RBI.

That was quick.

Second AB: Two pitches. Two hits. Two doubles.

Going on history, I'm calling a three pitch at-bat, resulting in a double his next time at the plate.

Third AB: Five pitches. One out. Now batting .666.

MLB fact: The last player to have two extra base hits in first two major league at-bats: Kazuo Matsui. Let's all hope Nick Evans has a more prosperous career with the Mets than Matsui did.

Fourth AB: Eight pitches. Three doubles. Two RBI. One run scored on a Luis Castillo single.

All hits to opposite field, to boot. That's how you break into the majors with style.

Evans is in

SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Fernando Tatis
1B Carlos Delgado
C Ramon Castro
LF Nick Evans
RH Claudio Vargas

I am absolutely shocked. Evans is making his major league debut today, starting in left field.

Hey Nick, start off on the right foot!

As Tug always said...

Why am I excited?

I woke up this morning and my first thought was "I can't wait to watch the Mets today!"

And then I remembered how they've played recently.

The only possible explanation I have for being excited in anticipation of today's game is the possibility of Nick Evans making an appearance. Knowing Willie Randolph, I doubt we'll see even a glimpse of Evans in the game.

Hopefully, if my wish comes true, Evans will be in left field today. I love young players.

Ryan Church will most likely return in right today, probably moving Endy Chavez (still statistically the worst player on the Mets according to VORP) to left field.

Willie, give the kid a chance. Mets, give me a reason to be excited.

Evans reportedly called up

According to reports, Nick Evans was pulled from the 9th inning of his game in AA and will be called up, presumably to take the spot of Marlon Anderson, who came up lame early in the game.

Thank you! It's about time this team brought up some young talent and let him loose on the majors. Maybe he stinks it up, but who cares. He could bring some fire to this squad.

As usual, I have high hopes for Evans. He might be the shot in the arm this team needs. That might just me talking crazy at 1:30 a.m.

Probably.

TSTDIA: Rockies 6 -- Mets 5 (13)

The Mets can't hold a lead again...and again they lose.

This one stings.

Two notes: The Kid wants in and FJM takes down Lakas

Gary Carter is my new favorite choice for the next manager of the Mets, and not for purely nostalgic purposes, either.

Bart Hubbuch relays a quote from Carter while appearing on an XM sports show:
David Wright

The comments that David Wright made saying that, you know, there’s no spark, there’s no fire [on the Mets]. If anything I would love to bring that to the table because you know me, guys. I love the game, have a great passion for it and you know my enthusiasm and hopefully I would be able to bring that to maybe help turn that ball club around.

Hire him. Now. That is the kind of talk I want to hear from a manager. Fire, passion and enthusiasm are all qualities I want in a manager.

Seriously, hire him.

*****

And my all-time favorite blog, Fire Joe Morgan, takes down Paul Lakas, a self-proclaimed Mets fan and all around fool.

Lakas goes on some crazed, seemingly drunk tirade about how much he hates Mike Piazza for some of the most ridiculous reasons in the world. FJM breaks it down and makes him look like a fool. And rightfully so.