When Jerry Manuel said “It's very, very fertile ground for growth in Shea Stadium. It's fertile ground for a team's growth and development. Sometimes, fertile ground has fertilizer," I immediately knew it would be blown entirely out of proportion.
Just as I predicted, the NY Post took this story and ran with it. Here is the classic example of “taking the quote out of context.” When you look that term up in the dictionary, you see an issue of the New York Post. (Please don’t fire me, News Corp.)
If they wanted to be correct, they would have noted that Manuel said this, laughed, and then continued. He was smart enough to attempt to clarify, simply because he knows how some media outlets work.
It worked on one radio host, Mr. Craig Carton of WFAN. Hopefully, he was doing it for the ratings because I simply cannot believe that anyone who is sane and of clear mind would actually thing a new manager would come out and say the fans are akin to cow manure.
Of course, as I walked to Penn Station today, people were scooping up issues of the NY Post to see what Manuel had said. Obviously they’re doing something right, but I wish some of the editors had just the tiniest bit of discretion when it comes to using quotes out of context.
6/23/08
King Felix vs. Johan
Tonight, with the Mariners coming to town, we will be treated to a fierce pitching match up of Felix Hernandez and Johan Santana.
As I've said time and time before, a pitchers duel on paper rarely ever translates to a pitchers duel on the field.
I'd like to see the Mets sweep this series, and it all starts tonight against the M's best pitcher. Should make for a great game, either way.
As always, please join us on Mets Lounge for an in-game thread.
As I've said time and time before, a pitchers duel on paper rarely ever translates to a pitchers duel on the field.
I'd like to see the Mets sweep this series, and it all starts tonight against the M's best pitcher. Should make for a great game, either way.
As always, please join us on Mets Lounge for an in-game thread.
Can the Mets make the jump to FM?
With the Mets contract with WFAN ending this year, I've been wondering if it was remotely possible, plausible, or even smart for the Mets to abandon ship and move to an FM radio station.
Let me begin by saying that in my 1996 Infiniti G20, I might have the worst radio receiver in the world. If I am listening to WFAN, (which I do very often (Boomer & Carton in the mornings, because it's refreshing to hear Mets fans on the radio)) and I press on the gas pedal to get going, the radio starts to wheeze and squeal as I pick up speed. When I start to coast, I usually get an ear-piercing screech, making the station nearly unlistenable. My favorite event is during a thunder storm, as the station completely fuzzes out as lightning strikes in an estimated 50 mile radius.
And of course, I have terrible "dead zones" by my house. Almost without fail, during a critical moment during a Mets game, I drive into one of these "dead zones" and am treated to the loudest, most miserable static any man has ever encountered. I can't move my finger to the CD button quick enough.
But back to the subject at hand: If the Mets were ever to leave WFAN, I would be deeply saddened by losing the wonderful ditty of "LET'S GO METSF-A-N (da-da-DAH!)," and of course, the irreplaceable Steve Somers and Howie Rose. I could do without Wayne Hagin, that's for sure. At this point, I think I'm willing to make the trade and hear the game in her entirety (if need be) than me treated to those awful, awful sounds of static, screeches, whale calls, and howling.
I remember a few years ago when the New York Giants were featured on 102.7 FM for some, if not all of their games. It was refreshing to finally get a squeal-free broadcast, in much higher quality. If only the Mets could transition to that point.
If it's at all possible, I would hope the Mets would look into some sort of move. Fans deserve to hear their team in better quality than AM radio can provide. We have high definition TV's, and though WFAN claims "HD AM" I just don't hear it. HD AM radio seems like the oxymoron of all oxymoron's, with "jumbo shrimp" as the number two in that list.
I'd love to see WFAN make the jump to the FM band, but that's probably impossible. The Mets can move, and making the shift to a better quality FM radio station would be a treat to Mets fans, and especially my ears.
Let me begin by saying that in my 1996 Infiniti G20, I might have the worst radio receiver in the world. If I am listening to WFAN, (which I do very often (Boomer & Carton in the mornings, because it's refreshing to hear Mets fans on the radio)) and I press on the gas pedal to get going, the radio starts to wheeze and squeal as I pick up speed. When I start to coast, I usually get an ear-piercing screech, making the station nearly unlistenable. My favorite event is during a thunder storm, as the station completely fuzzes out as lightning strikes in an estimated 50 mile radius.
And of course, I have terrible "dead zones" by my house. Almost without fail, during a critical moment during a Mets game, I drive into one of these "dead zones" and am treated to the loudest, most miserable static any man has ever encountered. I can't move my finger to the CD button quick enough.
But back to the subject at hand: If the Mets were ever to leave WFAN, I would be deeply saddened by losing the wonderful ditty of "LET'S GO METSF-A-N (da-da-DAH!)," and of course, the irreplaceable Steve Somers and Howie Rose. I could do without Wayne Hagin, that's for sure. At this point, I think I'm willing to make the trade and hear the game in her entirety (if need be) than me treated to those awful, awful sounds of static, screeches, whale calls, and howling.
I remember a few years ago when the New York Giants were featured on 102.7 FM for some, if not all of their games. It was refreshing to finally get a squeal-free broadcast, in much higher quality. If only the Mets could transition to that point.
If it's at all possible, I would hope the Mets would look into some sort of move. Fans deserve to hear their team in better quality than AM radio can provide. We have high definition TV's, and though WFAN claims "HD AM" I just don't hear it. HD AM radio seems like the oxymoron of all oxymoron's, with "jumbo shrimp" as the number two in that list.
I'd love to see WFAN make the jump to the FM band, but that's probably impossible. The Mets can move, and making the shift to a better quality FM radio station would be a treat to Mets fans, and especially my ears.
Early Morning Madness: Injuries edition
Luis Castillo might be heading to the disabled list.
Castillo injured his left quad a few days ago and Damion Easley has been starting in his place. If Castillo was to go on the DL, do the Mets really call up AAA second baseman Anderson Hernandez?
Sure, he's got a glove, but the kid just can't hit a lick. He's batting a miserable .185. And looking even lower to Binghamton, Emmanuel Garcia is hitting a cool .225 and Jonathan Malo is stroking a tepid .233 in limited time.
So second base is practically depleted for the Mets and the current starter is signed to a four year contract and is slow, injured, and slaps at everything. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a trade.
Ryan Church could be back by next weekend, and I couldn't be happier.
I'm assuming once Church is ready to go again, we've seen the end of Trot Nixon, but as much as I thought I'd love Nixon, his .167 average just isn't cutting it for me.
If Church can come back, even at 80 percent, he'll be a huge addition to this club. Church hasn't played since June 5th, and since that time the Mets have gone 7-9. They're really missing his bat in the lineup, as the offense usually goes flat past the 4th inning.
I miss this guy and so do the Mets.
Things are lining up in Yankee-ville that the Mets will probably face newly acquired Sidney Ponson during their series at Shea Stadium (and Yankee Stadium) this weekend.
Stay sober, Sidney.
Castillo injured his left quad a few days ago and Damion Easley has been starting in his place. If Castillo was to go on the DL, do the Mets really call up AAA second baseman Anderson Hernandez?
Sure, he's got a glove, but the kid just can't hit a lick. He's batting a miserable .185. And looking even lower to Binghamton, Emmanuel Garcia is hitting a cool .225 and Jonathan Malo is stroking a tepid .233 in limited time.
So second base is practically depleted for the Mets and the current starter is signed to a four year contract and is slow, injured, and slaps at everything. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a trade.
** * **
Ryan Church could be back by next weekend, and I couldn't be happier.
I'm assuming once Church is ready to go again, we've seen the end of Trot Nixon, but as much as I thought I'd love Nixon, his .167 average just isn't cutting it for me.
If Church can come back, even at 80 percent, he'll be a huge addition to this club. Church hasn't played since June 5th, and since that time the Mets have gone 7-9. They're really missing his bat in the lineup, as the offense usually goes flat past the 4th inning.
I miss this guy and so do the Mets.
** * **
Things are lining up in Yankee-ville that the Mets will probably face newly acquired Sidney Ponson during their series at Shea Stadium (and Yankee Stadium) this weekend.
Stay sober, Sidney.
6/22/08
I beat an 8 year old; I now feel special
This link was passed along by a new blogger and friend, Andrew (great name) from Twins Fix:
Watch the video, it's pretty cool. I didn't start watching baseball until I was 11 or 12, so this kid has a bit of a head start.
I named all the players and I beat the little tike to naming the second baseman for the Houston Astros. A big accomplishment, right?
Any self respecting Mets fan who doesn't know who that player is, well, they're much better at putting bad signings behind them than I am.
Can you beat the 8 year old? I did, and for some reason, it's making me very happy. Hey CNN, come do a video on me!
Watch the video, it's pretty cool. I didn't start watching baseball until I was 11 or 12, so this kid has a bit of a head start.
I named all the players and I beat the little tike to naming the second baseman for the Houston Astros. A big accomplishment, right?
Any self respecting Mets fan who doesn't know who that player is, well, they're much better at putting bad signings behind them than I am.
Can you beat the 8 year old? I did, and for some reason, it's making me very happy. Hey CNN, come do a video on me!
TSTDIA: Mets 3 -- Rockies 1
While it wasn't an offensive explosion or a dominating pitching performance, the Mets took two out of three in Colorado, and will now head home to take on the worst-in-the-majors Seattle Mariners.
Manuel assigns roles to relievers
I can honestly say, this is something I've been waiting to happen for years. Jerry Manuel has finally assigned defined roles to the bullpen.
Of course, Billy Wagner will stay as the teams closer. Duaner Sanchez has officially been assigned as the teams setup man, always pitching in the 8th inning.
Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano have been assigned as the lefty and righty specialists.
Aaron Heilman has been demoted to not pitching in "as many pressure situations."
It's about time. I think it's beneficial that the pitchers know when they will usually appear in a game, instead of having to wait and guess what inning they'll appear in. It allows them to psych themselves up for when they know they will enter the game, instead of waiting for the phone call.
I know I sound like a sap, but I really like the way Manuel has carried himself and made decisions in his short time at the helm.
Of course, Billy Wagner will stay as the teams closer. Duaner Sanchez has officially been assigned as the teams setup man, always pitching in the 8th inning.
Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano have been assigned as the lefty and righty specialists.
Aaron Heilman has been demoted to not pitching in "as many pressure situations."
It's about time. I think it's beneficial that the pitchers know when they will usually appear in a game, instead of having to wait and guess what inning they'll appear in. It allows them to psych themselves up for when they know they will enter the game, instead of waiting for the phone call.
I know I sound like a sap, but I really like the way Manuel has carried himself and made decisions in his short time at the helm.
The Stache presses pause
Jose Valentin, slowly "making progress" on the rehab trail, has suspended his season.
He's not retiring, but he will no longer play this season.
Why he's not just up and quitting, I don't know. Maybe he thinks next year it will work out, I guess. Good luck, Stache. You're going to need it.
He's not retiring, but he will no longer play this season.
Why he's not just up and quitting, I don't know. Maybe he thinks next year it will work out, I guess. Good luck, Stache. You're going to need it.
6/21/08
Manuel vs. Manuel
Just a random thought that popped into my head:I wonder if there was ever a time when there were two managers with the same last name coaching in the same division?
Obviously I'm talking about Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel and new Mets manager Jerry Manuel.
I guess that's an interesting little tidbit to think about.
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