Geremi Gonzalez killed by lightning

Geremi Gonzalez, who pitched in three games for the Mets in 2006, throwing 14 innings and amassing a 7.71 ERA was killed by lightning in Venezuela on Sunday.

That is really unfortunate and my thoughts go out to Gonzalez's family.

A few thoughts on this beautiful Memorial Day

First off, if you're inside reading this and you're not at work, go outside! The weather outside is spectacular.

Mercifully, the Mets road trip ended yesterday, as they fell to the Colorado Rockies by a score of 4-1. They're record on the latest road trip was a pitiful 1-6.

Today, Willie Randolph will meet with Omar Minaya and The Wilpons in their usual quarterly meeting. This meeting is now under the magnifying glass as the team is playing some uninspired baseball and currently sits two games under .500 on the season.

Everyone and their mothers is claiming Randolph most likely will not be canned today. I'd have to agree, but if the team continues to play at this level, I can't see him making it through this homestand.

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Adam Rubin in the Daily News is reporting there are whispers that the Mets are mulling a AAA sting for Aaron Heilman. The Mets would most likely call up Carlos Muniz, who is 2-2 with a 1.80 ERA in New Orleans.

Well I have to say, it's about time. He's young, struggling, and it cannot hurt to get out of New York right now to clear your head. I say pull the trigger, sooner rather than later.

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This guy seems pretty dead-set on Randolph's job security.

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Enjoy your Memorial Day. A huge "thank you" must go out to all the members of the military.

TSTDIA: Rockies 4 -- Mets 1

The Mets ran into another stellar pitching performance, as Aaron Cook pitched a complete game and the Mets end their road trip a dismal 1-6.

Game Preview: Mets @ Rockies

The Mets and Rockies square off in the rubber game at Coors Field.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
C Brian Schneider
LF Nick Evans
RF Endy Chavez
SP John Maine

There's the lineup for todays matinée in Colorado. Glad to see Evans still in there and moving up in the order. Chavez plays again as Ryan Church is still feeling the effects of getting a knee to the head.

Hopefully Church doesn't need to go to the disabled list, but it doesn't look promising. Maybe Mike Carp will get a call-up, if that happens.

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...